why does your nose run when its cold?

Answer 1

Nobody knows for sure, but one reason is that the nose has to "work overtime" when the inspired air is cold, said Dr. Ralph Metson , a sinus surgeon at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

The nose is a kind of "fancy air conditioner" whose job is to warm and humidify the air we inhale, Metson wrote in an e-mail. When the air is unusually cold, the nose kicks into high gear to warm and humidify it. Blood vessels dilate, mucosal tissue swells, and glands secrete extra mucus. This extra mucus results in a runny nose.

In addition, as the newly heated, newly moist air is exhaled, the moisture in it condenses when it hits the cooler outside temperature and then drips out as fluid, said Dr. Andrew Lane, director of the division of rhinology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

For people who have a major problem with this kind of runny nose, technically called "vasomotor rhinitis," there is a prescription nasal spray called ipratropium bromide that might damp down this reaction

Answer 2

Reasons for Running
If your nose is running, there are several possible explanations:

You have a cold or the flu - When you have either one of these, your nose goes into mucus-making overdrive to keep the germ invaders out of your lungs and the rest of your body, where they might make you even sicker than you already are. You know what happens then: The mucus runs down your throat, out your nose, or into a tissue when you blow your nose. Or it can fill your sinuses, which is why you get that stuffy feeling.

You have allergies - Kids who have allergies get runny noses when they're around the thing they're allergic to (like pollen or animal hair). That's because their bodies react to these things like they're germs.

You're crying - When you cry, tears come out of the tear glands under your eyelids and drain through the tear ducts that empty into your nose. Tears mix with mucus there and your nose runs.

Baby, it's cold outside - When you're outside on a cold day, the air in your nose is a lot warmer than the air around you. You know how the bathroom gets steamy when you take a shower? Something similar happens in your nose - water drops come together, or condense. Then the drops

Answer 3

This is Why, Baby, it's cold outside - When you're outside on a cold day, the air in your nose is a lot warmer than the air around you. You know how the bathroom gets steamy when you take a shower? Something similar happens in your nose - water drops come together, or condense. Then the drops mix with your mucus and run out your nose.

Answer 4

Glands in your nose and sinuses continually produce mucus — as much as 1 to 2 quarts a day. The mucus cleans and moisturizes your nasal membranes and helps fight infection. You're probably not aware of this until your body steps up mucus production, usually in an effort to clear cold or flu viruses or allergens from your nasal passages. Cold temperatures, spicy food and hormonal changes also can trigger a runny nose.

Answer 5

The blood vessels in your nose dilate in response to cold. Widened blood vessels are more easily invaded by microbes, so the nose produces extra mucus as a protectant.

Answer 6

How do you know my nose runs when it's cold?

Answer 7

effortlessly, once you're exterior on a chilly day, the air on your nostril is a lot warmer than the air around you. you already know how the bathing room receives steamy once you're taking a bathtub? something comparable takes place on your nostril - water drops come mutually, or condense. Then the drops combination mutually with your mucus and run out your nostril.

Answer 8

condensation.
your breath is composed partly of water vapour which condenses when meeting the cold nose and air.
the water then runs from your nose!

Answer 9

Well, if your nose runs and your feet smell, you must be stood on your head (or is it the other way round?)

Answer 10

because the coldness blocks and frezes your nose causig it to run