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Doctors advise pulling up nasal mucus instead of blowing your nose

2022-05-17T10:15:26.825Z


If you have a cold: pull up or clean your nasal mucus? Created: 05/17/2022Updated: 05/17/2022 12:07 p.m By: Judith Brown Are you on the pull up team or the snout team? Doctors recommend pulling up the nasal mucus when you have a cold. Munich – Hay fever, corona infection or flu: Anyone who is currently ill and suffers from a runny nose probably has a handkerchief nearby to get rid of the unple


If you have a cold: pull up or clean your nasal mucus?

Created: 05/17/2022Updated: 05/17/2022 12:07 p.m

By: Judith Brown

Are you on the pull up team or the snout team?

Doctors recommend pulling up the nasal mucus when you have a cold.

Munich – Hay fever, corona infection or flu: Anyone who is currently ill and suffers from a runny nose probably has a handkerchief nearby to get rid of the unpleasant nasal mucus.

You can transport it away in two ways: either you pull the nasal secretion up or you blow your nose.

From a medical point of view, both transport routes have their own pitfalls.

Runny nose: pull up nasal mucus or better clean it?

Doctors recommend pulling up the nasal mucus instead of blowing your nose when you have a cold.

(Iconic image) © Philipp Nemenz/IMAGO

Are you part of the Snout Team?

Then you should consider a few things when blowing your nose.

Because if you trumpet too hard into your handkerchief - then not only will your neighbor complain about the concert - but also your ear, as this can lead to painful middle ear infections.

The following happens: The nasopharynx is connected to the middle ear via the so-called auditory tube, which equalizes the pressure.

If you now blow your nose, the mucus from the inflamed nasal mucosa is pushed directly into the middle ear via this connection.

This can result in a middle ear infection that needs to be treated immediately.

At the same time, infectious secretions can get from the nasopharynx into the paranasal sinuses if the pressure is too high.

It goes the opposite way than usual: Normally, the secretion flows from the paranasal sinuses into the nose.

But if the passages are swollen because of the cold, the mucus builds up and creates the perfect breeding ground for germs.

Experts therefore recommend that it is better to pull up the nasal mucus and transport it upwards.

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Pull up nasal mucus: Doctors advise this

Swallowing nasal mucus up and down is widely considered unhygienic, although medical professionals recommend it.

Because anyway, the hairs of the nasal mucosa always transport the mucus in the direction of the stomach, where the stomach acid destroys the germs.

This is a natural defense strategy of the body.

Experts recommend that people who have already had surgery on their paranasal sinuses pull up their nasal mucus instead of blowing their nose.

This can help prevent you from pushing more mucus into your sinuses.

Pulling up nasal mucus or blowing your nose: what should you consider?

If you still prefer to blow the snot into your handkerchief, you should observe a few hygienic measures to prevent the germs from spreading further.

Since blowing your nose contaminates your hands with nasal secretions and germs, you should definitely use paper handkerchiefs and dispose of them immediately if possible.

Ideally, you should wash your hands after blowing your nose.

It is also best to take turns closing one nostril when blowing your nose and gently blowing into your handkerchief through the other.

In any case, you should be gentle when blowing your nose and pulling it up.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.

Source: merkur

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