How to safely blow your nose
Various respiratory illnesses and allergies can make your nose stuffy. And while blowing your nose is a common way to clear nasal congestion, you could be doing it wrong.
The general recommendation is to use a clean tissue, cover your nose, throw out the tissue and wash your hands immediately afterward, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention.
Dr. Jon Slezak, an ear, nose and throat surgeon at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, shares proper techniques so you safely blow your nose.
“You should not be overly aggressive when you blow your nose, as this can cause further trauma or even nosebleeds,” Dr. Slezak says. “I recommend opening your mouth a small amount while blowing your nose to reduce pressure. I suggest blowing one nostril at a time by holding pressure with a finger on one side of your nose to close that nostril and blow out of the one that is open, repeating on the other side.”
He says this works best if you use an OTC saline spray in the nose first.
While blowing your nose is the most common way to clear congestion, there are other choices to consider. According to experts, saltwater spray and irrigation can help clear your sinuses and eliminate viruses and allergens that might be in your nose.
This doesn’t mean blowing your nose is unsafe, but there could be side effects to incorrectly blowing your nose including:
- Increasing the risk of continued nasal congestion and discomfort
- Having nosebleeds if you blow with too much force
- Lodging mucus into your eustachian tube causing an ear infection
- Blowing an eardrum, although rare
“Using a humidifier, taking a hot shower and trying a nasal saline irrigation are great ways to loosen hard and persistent mucous so that it blows out easier. A saline irrigator and saline spray are some of the best ways to manage nasal mucous,” Dr. Slezak adds.
If you are not clearing your sinuses effectively over time and congestion is a consistent issue for you, schedule an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist for an evaluation.
Are you trying to find a doctor? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.
