Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Having Runny And Hairy Nose. What's Wrong?
Question: People signal with their body language that my nose is hairy or runny. What's wrong with my nose?
I have used a nasal trimmer. A few times I have trimmed too much hair, and the cilia weren't able to function as well. My dog lives in the same room I do, so dust and dog hair (he sheds) could be affecting me.
I don't believe I'm self-conscious. I'm a trained researcher, and I've noticeable consistent results. Lighting seems to make a difference (windows and well-lit areas make seeing up my nostrils easy).
My nose feels slightly dry, and if I blow out of my nostrils, it often feels like it's hairy. I've tried to groom it, but people still brush their nose when I'm talking with them. I've used a mirror to make sure there's nothing wrong. I've used a nasal spray.
When I take a shower, sometimes my snot bunches up, and I either use clean fingers or Kleenex to remove it. Many times I'll use a nostril bottle cleanser.
I've asked family members and a friend about it, but they said there's no problem. I'm social person, but when you're talking with people who are all doing this when they talk with you, like in a small group, there's something wrong.
My hair is blond. This has been happening for the last two years or so, almost the time that I've had my dog (he's three years old), which is about the same time I've had nasal hair becoming noticeable/unruly.
I have used a nasal trimmer. A few times I have trimmed too much hair, and the cilia weren't able to function as well. My dog lives in the same room I do, so dust and dog hair (he sheds) could be affecting me.
I don't believe I'm self-conscious. I'm a trained researcher, and I've noticeable consistent results. Lighting seems to make a difference (windows and well-lit areas make seeing up my nostrils easy).
My nose feels slightly dry, and if I blow out of my nostrils, it often feels like it's hairy. I've tried to groom it, but people still brush their nose when I'm talking with them. I've used a mirror to make sure there's nothing wrong. I've used a nasal spray.
When I take a shower, sometimes my snot bunches up, and I either use clean fingers or Kleenex to remove it. Many times I'll use a nostril bottle cleanser.
I've asked family members and a friend about it, but they said there's no problem. I'm social person, but when you're talking with people who are all doing this when they talk with you, like in a small group, there's something wrong.
My hair is blond. This has been happening for the last two years or so, almost the time that I've had my dog (he's three years old), which is about the same time I've had nasal hair becoming noticeable/unruly.
Hi
Thanks for the query
After going through the description I do feel, you are perfectly normal without any significant problems.
Sometimes it so happens that in certain individuals the mucous/crusts get accumulated at the inlet of the nostrils. This does happen unknowingly without any provocation and this not related to any sort of disease or anatomical deformity or presence of nasal vibrissae.
Repeated nasal cleaning can leave some amount of mucus sticking to the vibrissae unknowingly. This could be one of the reasons behind the people making gestures to alert you.
Accumulation of the nasal secretions during bath is normal and not related to any of the nasal problems. During bath, particularly with warm water, the nasal secretions get released from the sinus cavities into the nasal passage leading to snot formation and this is absolutely a normal phenomenon.
My suggestion to you is, not to trim the nasal vibrissae too much, so that; it hampers the effective trapping of the dust particles. This excessive trimming of the nasal vibrissae can cause dryness of the nasal cavities. Use saline nasal spray, this helps in keeping the nasal mucosa moist and reducing any crusts in the nostrils.
It is a mere co-incidence; you recognizing the lengthy nasal vibrissae and getting the pet to the home. This is not pet related allergy.
Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Thanks for the query
After going through the description I do feel, you are perfectly normal without any significant problems.
Sometimes it so happens that in certain individuals the mucous/crusts get accumulated at the inlet of the nostrils. This does happen unknowingly without any provocation and this not related to any sort of disease or anatomical deformity or presence of nasal vibrissae.
Repeated nasal cleaning can leave some amount of mucus sticking to the vibrissae unknowingly. This could be one of the reasons behind the people making gestures to alert you.
Accumulation of the nasal secretions during bath is normal and not related to any of the nasal problems. During bath, particularly with warm water, the nasal secretions get released from the sinus cavities into the nasal passage leading to snot formation and this is absolutely a normal phenomenon.
My suggestion to you is, not to trim the nasal vibrissae too much, so that; it hampers the effective trapping of the dust particles. This excessive trimming of the nasal vibrissae can cause dryness of the nasal cavities. Use saline nasal spray, this helps in keeping the nasal mucosa moist and reducing any crusts in the nostrils.
It is a mere co-incidence; you recognizing the lengthy nasal vibrissae and getting the pet to the home. This is not pet related allergy.
Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What's the point of this signaling behavior? Is it aesthetics, cleanliness, self-consciousness? Many people go so far as to awkwardly pick their nose while they're talking with me, which is done even in work settings by colleagues and professionals.
I never really have hair hanging out of my nose. I'm reluctant to trim anymore, though. The rounded sides of the base of my nose (not nostrils) sometimes have small, numerous amounts of dry flakes, so I use a moisturizer. Sometimes people repeatedly brush those areas while they're talking with me, too.
I've tried to ignore when this happens, but I always seem to check in a mirror afterwards.
I never really have hair hanging out of my nose. I'm reluctant to trim anymore, though. The rounded sides of the base of my nose (not nostrils) sometimes have small, numerous amounts of dry flakes, so I use a moisturizer. Sometimes people repeatedly brush those areas while they're talking with me, too.
I've tried to ignore when this happens, but I always seem to check in a mirror afterwards.
Hi
Thanks for writing back
Relax! The gestures made by some people around you do not necessarily mean to alert you about something wrong in you. It is just normal for many of them to do nose picking in public which they are not conscious about.
I do agree to the fact that, occasionally, it could be a co-incidence that the gestures are made to indicate there is something wrong on your face. But, you don't have to feel bad about it; it happens naturally.
If a person who does awkward nose picking does not bother about the people around him, then why should you bother about them? Do not worry! I do not see anything wrong with your nose or your mannerism. I do feel you are more self-conscious than others. Just try to ignore this and concentrate on your work.
Use saline nasal spray as frequently as possible to keep the nose moist and crust free.
I wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Thanks for writing back
Relax! The gestures made by some people around you do not necessarily mean to alert you about something wrong in you. It is just normal for many of them to do nose picking in public which they are not conscious about.
I do agree to the fact that, occasionally, it could be a co-incidence that the gestures are made to indicate there is something wrong on your face. But, you don't have to feel bad about it; it happens naturally.
If a person who does awkward nose picking does not bother about the people around him, then why should you bother about them? Do not worry! I do not see anything wrong with your nose or your mannerism. I do feel you are more self-conscious than others. Just try to ignore this and concentrate on your work.
Use saline nasal spray as frequently as possible to keep the nose moist and crust free.
I wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2542 Questions
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
