You’ve been blowing your nose all wrong – here’s how doctors say you SHOULD do it

By Liam On Oct 28, 2023

Plagued by a cold?

Chances are you’ve tried to clear your stuffy or runny nose by reaching for a tissue.

But if you blew with full force from both nostrils at the same time, then according to a doctor you did it completely wrong.

It’s better to blow gently from one nostril at a time, says London-based GP Dr Ann Nainan has warned.

While it is clearly not inherently dangerous, Dr. Nainan that too much force can cause nosebleeds and dizziness.

Meanwhile, a leading expert claimed that incorrect method can – in extreme cases – lead to fractures.

But if you blew with full force from both nostrils at the same time, then according to a doctor you did it completely wrong. It’s better to blow gently from one nostril at a time, warned London-based GP Dr. Ann Nainan

Blowing one nostril at a time is the recommended way to get rid of a runny nose, rather than blowing full force into both nostrils

A stuffy or stuffy nose occurs when the thin tissues lining the nose swell – the body’s natural response to bugs like colds and flu.

Irritated nasal passages can cause the overproduction of mucus.

In addition to leaving you with an endless stream of snot, the nasal passages can narrow, making it a little harder to breathe through your nose.

But it’s not just colds that can clog your nose. Allergies, a sinus infection, and some medications can all lead to a stuffy nose.

Dr. Nainan urged people with insects to blow from one nostril at a time without too much force to reduce sinus pressure.

How to treat a cold

Colds can cause a stuffy or runny nose, sore throat and headache.

To recover quickly, the NHS recommends getting plenty of rest and sleep, drinking plenty of water and gargling with salt water to soothe a sore throat.

Those who have a fever should stay home and avoid contact with others until they feel better.

Over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can relieve ear pain and lower temperatures, while decongestant sprays or tablets can help relieve a stuffy nose.

To prevent others from catching a cold, the NHS recommends washing hands often with warm water and soap, using tissues to catch germs when coughing or sneezing and throwing these tissues away as soon as possible.

She told MailOnline: ‘Cover one nose at a time, apply gentle pressure and then blow out into a tissue.’

Blowing too hard can cause a nosebleed because the blood vessels in the nose can become so stressed that they burst. However, these types of nosebleeds usually stop on their own and do not require medical attention.

Additionally, it can affect the ears and sinuses, both of which are involved in pressure regulation, Dr. Nainan said.

Forcefully blowing the nose can cause a rapid change in pressure behind the eardrum, which doctors say can cause pain in the ears and, in rare cases, a ruptured eardrum.

Some people may also find that they become dizzy when they blow their nose with excessive force, Dr. Nainan said.

That’s because blowing too hard can put pressure on the bones in the inner ear – the area that controls your balance, according to Dr. Nainan.

But she noted that these side effects of excessive blowing are “fairly short-lived” and may only last a few seconds.

And there’s no harm in blowing your nose too much if it helps you breathe, Dr. Nainan said.

“If you can breathe a little better, you can probably sleep a little better, you might be able to go about your daily routine a little better,” she said.

In very rare cases, blowing your nose too forcefully can cause bones to break, according to Dr Carl Philpott, professor of rhinology at the University of East Anglia.

He said there is no “right or wrong” way to blow your nose, but emphasized that “excessive force is best avoided.”

Those who can hear their ears pop are blowing their nose too hard, according to doctors.

Blowing your nose too hard can cause dizziness and nosebleeds due to the pressure, doctors warn

Dr. Philpott said: ‘Very rarely do we see people causing a break in the thin bone between the eye socket and the sinuses by blowing very hard.

‘For this reason too, we advise patients not to blow for three weeks after sinus surgery.’

There are a few alternatives to blowing your nose when you have a cold, for those who don’t like the feeling. These options include using an over-the-counter decongestant, hot steam, and saline solution.

Dr. Nainan said those using saline should tilt their heads forward 45 degrees and administer it while covering one nostril and allowing the fluid to drain from the other nostril.

If your nasal congestion persists for more than two weeks, Dr Nainan recommends people contact their GP.

A stuffy nose that lasts for weeks could be a sign of nasal polyps, she warned. These are soft, painless growths in the nose, and while they are usually not serious, they can continue to grow and clog your nose.

If you have nasal polyps, you will usually be given steroid nose drops or a spray to shrink the polyps, according to the NHS.