...why my nose runs?

larfingravy · Post by **larfingravy** » 17 Apr 2009, 12:38pm

I've searched the site for anything about this but couldn't find anything.

Seriously, why does my nose run when I'm cycling?

MarySkater · Post by **MarySkater** » 17 Apr 2009, 12:53pm

I've always assumed that wind blowing into the eyes causes tears, which drain away through tear ducts into the nose.

Try wearing goggles or sunglasses and see if it gets less...

Mary

chrisw · Post by **chrisw** » 17 Apr 2009, 1:05pm

One of the outdoor mags used to have a Q and A page, where they had experts including a doctor answering questions.
On there the doctor replyed to someone who had the same question, that apparantly some noses can confuse cold air with a foriegn body going into your nose. So it triggers the noses defense mechanism into working to flush out the invader. Only becuase it's cold air and not something that could cause discomfort/damage it will be fighting a continual losing battle.

wilbo · Post by **wilbo** » 17 Apr 2009, 3:17pm

it's maybe something to do with the humidity of the air. Cold air has a much lower capacity for holding water than the warm air that's usually in your nose. When the air in your nose is constantly cold and therefore dry, it will draw the moisture out of your nostrils, so the nose has to compensate by trying to keep itself wet, which it does over-zealously.

yakdiver · Post by **yakdiver** » 17 Apr 2009, 3:34pm

Let me know when you have found the right answer as I too suffer from it, but only the right nostril on a 3 hour ride I can soak a hankie, but as soon as I get home it stops, and in the summer it's not so bad, at first I thought it was some sort of hay fever, but it's not, I wear glasses so I not too sure if it's wind in the eyes as stated above

CREPELLO · Post by **CREPELLO** » 17 Apr 2009, 5:46pm

Yeah, I get this really bad from autumn to spring and there's not a lot I can do about it. I saw an allergy specialist last year about wasp allergy (got stung on the bike!) and I asked about this as well. It's called rhinitis and there doesn't seem to be a convenient solution. He suggested a nasal spray (name of which I've forgotten). Anyway I was prescribed this and it didn't help me at all.

I also get red watery eyes with this despite wearing glasses. It gets so bad I can't cycle long distances in the winter without my eyes being seriously affected for up to a day afterwards. My glasses are from Optilabs and much as I love them they don't block the wind out much. I'm toying with the idea of adding extra edging to the under side of the rims to block the wind out more. I think this would help both symptoms as long as they don't mist up too much.

ferrit worrier · Post by **ferrit worrier** » 17 Apr 2009, 5:56pm

CREPELLO wrote:Yeah, I get this really bad from autumn to spring and there's not a lot I can do about it. I saw an allergy specialist last year about wasp allergy (got stung on the bike!) and I asked about this as well. It's called rhinitis and there doesn't seem to be a convenient solution. He suggested a nasal spray (name of which I've forgotten). Anyway I was prescribed this and it didn't help me at all.

I also get red watery eyes with this despite wearing glasses. It gets so bad I can't cycle long distances in the winter without my eyes being seriously affected for up to a day afterwards. My glasses are from Optilabs and much as I love them they don't block the wind out much. I'm toying with the idea of adding extra edging to the under side of the rims to block the wind out more. I think this would help both symptoms as long as they don't mist up too much.

Was it "Beconaze" that is good for hay fever etc Boots do one similar (and a bit cheaper)

Malc

larfingravy · Post by **larfingravy** » 17 Apr 2009, 6:06pm

Not just me then!

I get it whether I wear glasses or not.
I get it whether I cycle by the sea or inland.

Might try one of those anti allergy things.
Could be the chill weather though. Will see how it goes as the weather gets better.

CREPELLO · Post by **CREPELLO** » 17 Apr 2009, 6:10pm

ferrit worrier wrote:Was it "Beconaze" that is good for hay fever etc Boots do one similar (and a bit cheaper)

Malc

That rings a bell. I've lost it now as it was so useless. Has anyone had any success with these nasal sprays for this particular thing?

burnsie · Post by **burnsie** » 17 Apr 2009, 9:49pm

Hi Gerry...one of the biggest mistakes people make using nasal spray is over zealoius sniffing..basically clean your nose, spray into nostril aiming for the side wall (this is important).......then give one or two gentle sniffs (like a rabbit as I tell people)..thats all you need. If you 'snort' it, you'll find it causes a nasty taste in back of throat, and doesn't work because it isn't where it shoud be, i.e in the nose!! (I use Flixonase for rhinits...available over the counter, once a day dose)

HTH

Dave

saudidave · Post by **saudidave** » 17 Apr 2009, 10:06pm

I've had a few of these on prescription; beconase, nasonex and others. They help a bit but are not a cure. Best thing is just to ride your bike.

My daughter, Kirsty is a medical sciences student at Leeds Uni and she has typed this bit: I'm not 100% sure but as a pretty educated guess, and without too much science I'd go with the following. Your eye socket and your nasal cavity are connected at the Lacrimal bone which connects the two via the nasolacrimal duct (tear duct). This is designed to lubricate the eyes surface but also to carry the secretions into your nose, so when your eyes water your nose runs. As with when you cry, your nose gets stuffy. So when the winds in your face and your eyes run, your nose also starts to. I'd say wearing sunglasses to shield your eyes from the wind, and therefore reduce the amount they water will help with your nose running.

so there you go.......

CREPELLO · Post by **CREPELLO** » 17 Apr 2009, 10:16pm

burnsie wrote:Hi Gerry...one of the biggest mistakes people make using nasal spray is over zealoius sniffing..basically clean your nose, spray into nostril aiming for the side wall (this is important).......then give one or two gentle sniffs (like a rabbit as I tell people)..thats all you need. If you 'snort' it, you'll find it causes a nasty taste in back of throat, and doesn't work because it isn't where it shoud be, i.e in the nose!! (I use Flixonase for rhinits...available over the counter, once a day dose)

HTH

Dave

Thanks Dave, I'll try your technique as I do remember tasting the stuff in the back of my throat. Now all I need to do is find the stuff and wait for a cold windy day, which can't be far off surely?

MarkC · Post by **MarkC** » 18 Apr 2009, 3:09pm

I subscribe to the the theory about warm air, containing water vapour, leaving a warm body and condensing in the nasal passage as the temperature cools.

One of the reasons that camels can retain water so well is because they have very long nasal passages. The water in their breath condenses before it gets anywhere close to leaving the body. Doesn't really offer you a solution, though!

Post by **Mick F** » 18 Apr 2009, 3:30pm

I'm a right-nostril sort of guy too! Is this anything to do with being right-handed?

My nose is worst in cold air. Warm days, like we're having now, I'm ok.

plowmar · Post by **plowmar** » 18 Apr 2009, 9:04pm

Yeah, right on I suffer when it is cold and put it down to that.

Mainly when walking though not so much, but some, when cycling.

Like others Winter/Spring related.

A good blow gives a modicum of relief.

From previous post I get left nostril and am right handed, awkward beggar aren't I.

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