5 Reasons Why the Polar Blast Causes Lots of Runny Noses

Winter has hit Australia with a bang, with a cold snap affecting most parts of the country this week. It's common to get a runny nose when it's cold outside. 

University of Queensland Medical Faculty reports about 50-90% of people get a runny nose when it’s cold, and this includes babies and children. We call this “cold-induced rhinitis”, or "skier nose".

Here are the reasons why:

1. Cold, dry air stimulates the nerves inside your nose, which send a message  to your brain. Your brain then responds to this impulse by increasing the blood flow to the nose.

2. The job of your nose to make the air you breathe warm and wet so that when it gets to your lungs  it doesn't irritate the bronchioles (delicate air sacks)

3. Your body is making extra mucus to moisturize and protect your mucous membranes.

4. The extra mucus can traps germs, and keeps irritants and dust out of your nasal passages and body. It makes sense to then expel that mucus from the nose, to prevent germs and irritants travelling further into the body. 

5. Saline spray can help lubricate the nasal passage and membranes, and relieve excess mucus production. 

Babies and young children can't blow their own nose, so Snotty Boss is a handy gadget for clearing little noses. The battery powered suction is gentle but effective. Using Snotty Boss should be a 3 step process.

How to Use Snotty Boss To Clear the Nose

1. Squirt saline/breastmilk in each nostril, to lubricate.

2. Insert Snotty Boss for 5-10 seconds in each nostril. Gently rotate to reach all parts of the nostril.

3. Finish with 1 small squirt of saline/breastmilk, to maintain sufficient lubrication of nasal passage. Saline is a natural anti-bacterial substance.  

The Snotty Boss kit comes with a refillable saline spray bottle. Parents can make their own saline following this recipe. Or fill the bottle with breastmilk - which is Mother Nature's saline. 

Make Your Own Saline

1. Boil the jug, set aside 1 cup (250ml) to cool. Do NOT pour boiling water into the spray bottle as it will warp!

2. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (iodine-free), and dispense into the enclosed, refillable spray bottle and shake well.

3. Spare saline can be kept in the fridge and discarded after 48 hours. 

Very Well Health recommends using a humidifier while indoors, particularly overnight. Even if the temperature in your home is mild, the air is generally drier during cold-weather months. Humidification can help keep your mucous membranes optimally moistened. Hush Ultrasonic Vaporiser releases purified, hydrated mist for 12 hours. The tap water is converted to vapour and pure essential oils can be added to the water to further enhance well-being. 

Summary

Cold weather and runny noses are a fact of life. Our range of aspirators and vaporisers as safe, drug-free solutions to deal with these seasonal symptoms.

Disclaimer: Our products are offered for sale with general use guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Should any sensitivity to our products occur, please discontinue use.

We are not doctors or healthcare professionals or aromatherapists. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, and/or take the place of medical treatment prescribed by a doctor or medical professional. 

Saline can be stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Spray bottles filled with breastmilk will need to be thorughly washed with warm water.