Content

• Steps
• Advice

A runny nose is a common phenomenon in cold weather. This condition occurs because the nasal cavities are trying to warm the air before it reaches the lungs, leading to the production of mucus. So, one way to prevent a runny nose in the cold is to keep warm and moisten the air before inhaling.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Prevention and treatment of runny nose caused by cold weather

1. 

   Wrap the towel around your nose and mouth when going out. Through the towel, the air is warmed before you inhale. You will also breathe moisture into the space to help keep the air moist. By warming and moistening the air, the sinuses in your nose don't have to produce much moisture and run out of mucus.

2. 

   
   
   Turn on the humidifier indoors. The indoor air may be warm enough, but if it's too dry it can still cause a runny nose. You can use your personal humidifier in your private room or install one for your whole family.

3. 

   
   
   Spray your nose with salt water to moisten your nasal passages. This runny nose remedy will keep your nasal passages moist and help prevent your nose from producing too much mucus.

4. 

   Use a nasal spray like Dristan (or anything that contains "pseudoephedrine"). It is not recommended to use this substance regularly. You can use it occasionally if there's something important to do in cold weather without getting a runny nose for best health. For example, if you are a ski athlete preparing to compete, you may need to use nasal spray before entering the race.
   • The effect of the spray is to prevent mucus from accumulating for a short time, allowing you to complete your activity (such as a race) without worrying about a runny nose.
   • However, it can sometimes cause a more runny nose after the spray wears off, so that's why it's not recommended for daily use.
   • If Dristan or other sprays you buy over the counter are not working, you should see your doctor to consider using stronger sprays that contain corticosteroids.

5. 

   
   
   Take an over-the-counter decongestant. Medicines such as Sudafed (or those with an ingredient called "pseudoephedrine") all work well. You can consult your pharmacist when choosing a medicine.
   • This medication will significantly reduce the amount of mucus produced in the nose, thereby reducing the symptoms of runny nose caused by cold.
   • However, it is important to reiterate that you should not take the medication as often as possible, as it can worsen runny nose once the medication wears off. Therefore, only use it if you have something important to do in the cold and don't want a runny nose during that time.
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Part 2 of 2: Find out what causes a runny nose

1. 

   Know the cause. When you have a runny nose, it could be because you are sick (usually accompanied by other cold symptoms like a sore throat, cough, etc.), you are sad (when we cry, tears run down the nose) , or cold weather (because our nasal cavities are designed to warm the air before entering the lungs, and to do so our noses produce more mucus in cold weather).
   • A runny nose can also be associated with allergies, environmental irritants (such as cigarette smoke), or side effects of certain medications.

2. 

   Understand what causes a runny nose when it is cold. When you breathe through your nose, the sinuses warm and moisten the air by swirling it around the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages. This prevents the throat and lungs from irritating to the air that's colder than body temperature.
   • Water is a byproduct of this process and the excess flows down the throat and through the nose.
   • The sinuses perform this function all year round, but due to the difference in temperature in cold weather (especially in winter) it becomes even more pronounced in cold weather.

3. 

   It is okay to know that a runny nose is caused by cold weather. Therefore, you have nothing to worry about. The fact is that this phenomenon is so common that it is also known as the "snowman's nose" because almost 100% of skiers complain that they have runny noses!
   • A runny nose from the cold is NOT related to illness (and not related to the "common cold").
   • Although many believe there is a link between cold weather and "catching a cold", this is thought to be due to staying too long indoors, where germs are more easily passed from person to person (and not is believed to have too much to do with the cold outside).
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Advice

• Avoid breathing through your mouth. Breathing through your mouth exposes your throat to cold and dry air, which can cause sore throat, dry mouth, and cough. Your body is designed to breathe through your nose to prevent these symptoms.