Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with nose

Why does my nose run when I perform oral sex on a man?

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:31:05 -0800

Why does my nose run when I perform oral sex on a man? (NSFW details inside) I'm a woman who really enjoys giving head to a man, but I've often found that I will get the sniffles if the session is prolonged, especially in the morning. I'm not usually a sniffly person and this doesn't seem to be associated with a cold or allergies. It's somewhat more likely if this a morning session, although it can happen any time during the day. It's a little annoying, but amusing, too, and we both giggle when I have to both wipe my face and blow my nose afterwards.

Am I a little congested and unaware of it until my breathing is constricted by a full mouth? If his cock is hitting various points in my mouth and throat, is it sometimes triggering an associated nerve that makes my nose run? Any other ideas?

glasses for big nose

Anonymous — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:58:48 -0800

Where can I buy glasses that complement a large nose? Preferably something similar in style to this. Los Angeles area or online.

Stuffy nose woes

ms.codex — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:49:57 -0800

Hit me with your best stuffy-nose remedies. I have a bad cold. I'm past the sore-throat and fever stage and into the stuffy, runny nose and bad sinus pressure stage. Whenever I stay still for more than a few minutes (by, say, sitting and reading), or ESPECIALLY when I lie down, my nasal passages become so impassable that it's impossible to breathe without salivating uncomfortably. I couldn't sleep last night and I probably won't sleep tonight. What can I do, besides taking Sudafed every 4 hours? Any foods, supplements, temperature manipulations, other tricks?

Blood & Bathing

boubelium — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:47:24 -0800

Why are my nose and mouth bleeding (gross!) whenever I take a shower? Having never really had a trouble with nosebleeds, I now find that nearly every time I take a shower that the red stuff starts flowing. It must be a rupture pretty far up the nose, as it also runs down into my mouth.

I've thought of two factors that might come into play. I've just moved from living in a low (250ft) to a high (5,500ft) elevation town. Also, the bathroom doesn't have a fan, so I open a window high up in the shower stall, causing the humid shower air to collide with the dry outside air at about head level.

So, have any other mefites experienced this issue or have tips for helping me keep my blood on the inside?

In one honker, out the other... or what's supposed to happen.

curagea — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:50:02 -0800

Nasal solution goes in and out the same nostril. How do I make it go in one and out the other instead? The inside of my nose has been getting a bit smelly lately, along with some stuffiness. I heard that nasal irrigation can clear up the nose and get rid of the smell, so I'm using a bulb syringe and a homemade solution for the job.

Instructions that I've read on the 'nets and videos say to let the solution drain go in one nostril and out the other. Trouble is, my solution keeps backing out the same nostril that it goes in. I've tried different angles for the syringe and my head too, to no avail. I've also tried sniffing up the solution, which led to some "gack!" moments.

It's not like that's a bad thing (is it?), but still, I'm wondering: why is the solution not going in one hole and out the other?

Rhinoplasty questions

Chrysalis — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:41:17 -0800

If my nose gets broken, can I get it fixed to look the way it did before? I have a nice nose, I also compete in boxing. I'm hoping I can continue to do both at once, however, if I do end up with a broken nose, what are my options? Can I wait until I retire from fighting to get it fixed or would it need to be done right away? Can surgery really fix it to get it back to it's original appearance? What is involved? (cost, procedure, healing time etc) Does it depend on what kind of break it is?

*knock on wood*

Professional smell tester - am I part dog?

WhereAmI — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:51:45 -0800

Could I be a professional smell tester with my dog like nose? My sense of smell is quite elevated. I pick up on scents and then ask those around me "can you smell that [insert scent]". Most of the time their answer is no, and I search for the source or ask them to move closer to a certain direction so they can confirm that they eventually smell (usually they really have to inhale) the same scent.

My nose is like a dog, please help!

This has been going on for years and amongst several different locations, groups of friends and scents. Its all in good fun and I recently picked up a smell while back in my old neighborhood for a 4th of July party. When I worked my magic and identified the scent/source, a few of my old friends suggested that I should attempt to get a job as a professional "smell tester".

Is there such a job? If so, how do I apply? I've searched the askmefi forums but only found questions about human vs. animal (i.e., dog) sense of smell, and nothing about a human "smell tester" job. I picture something similar to a possible old wives tale my father told me when I was younger that all ice cream companies have professional taste testers who scoop samples of the frozen treat into their mouths using gold plated spoons that did not retain the taste of the previous flavor of ice cream.

I digress... I'm turning to you hive mind! Can you help me find out if there is such a job as a professional Smell Tester? If so, where do I find out more and can I schedule an appointment to at least quantify my olfactory sensation abilities?

The Joy of Nasal Rinsing

Toekneesan — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:20:21 -0800

What do you put in your Neti Pot? I'm tired of paying >$9 for 50 small packets of salt. I'd like to make my own but I'm wondering about recipes. If you use a Neti Pot, do you make your own rinse? If so, what do you add? Does it ever change— during cold or allergy season, for example? Anything beyond salt and baking soda? What ratios do you use? Bonus points for bulk recipes.

Sniff. Blow nose. Ouch!

adverb — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:14:51 -0800

Why does my nose hurt after a cold? I'm starting to get over a cold from hell - lots of nasal congestion (went through two boxes of Kleenex). I'm finally on my feet, but the right side of my nose - starting about where the cartilage/bone starts - is really sore. Any pressure on that side of my nose causes a throbbing pain. Did I sprain something after four days of nonstop nose-blowing? Secondary infection? Bonus points for treatment tips. Little more info: Never had any sinus problems. No pain in face, no earaches.

How long for a deviated septum to heal?

jwfree — Mon, 04 May 2009 06:45:56 -0800

How long before I should be concerned about the results of my septoplasty? Exactly four weeks ago I had a septoplasty as well as a reduction in turbinate size done. After reading around on the net a bit it seems like everyone has a different time-frame for healing. I'll start off with why I had the surgery done...

Ever since I could remember I could only breathe out of one nostril at a time. I also snored and it just wasn't possible for me to breathe out of both nostrils. I went to an ENT a couple months back and he called it bi-lateral congestion which seemed to hit the nail on the head.

During the past four weeks I have seen a lot of progress. My girlfriend mentions that I am not snoring anymore and my breathing is improved a bit. I am now able to breathe out of both nostrils probably 75 percent of the time while sitting/standing up but when I lay down on my stomach or either side it goes back to bilateral. It's almost like there is something in there that gravity is effecting and it's moving over and blocking a nasal passage when I'm not sitting up-right. There has also been this strange smell in my nose every since that I just call peaches because it's like the constant smell of a peach fruit cup in my nose! Maybe that's just the healing and scabs on the inside.

The only reason I am concerned is because I am not blowing out anymore blood or anything so it seems like it's almost done healing. When I went in a couple weeks after the surgery my doc said all looked well and he wasn't concerned.

I'm interested in any comments/suggestions/advice that you may have. A peach smell isn't the worst side-effect but still having congestion definitely is.

How long before travel after major surgery?

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:11:27 -0800

How soon to travel after major surgery? I am having a couple procedures done. I am having a tonsillectomy as well as a rhinoplasty the same day. A little less than two weeks later from my surgery date I'm supposed to be flying out of the country on a very long (15 hour) plane ride.

Is this flight something that I should put off? If so, why? My concern is I don't want to put thousands of dollars worth of surgery at risk, especially if I will still be feeling the effects of either of them and not back to my regular self.

HOOOOOONNNNKK

backseatpilot — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:41:33 -0800

I need to be able to blow my nose. Very loudly. I'm not sick, but I've been cast in a show and my character needs to blow his nose several times during the performance. Without actually being congested, I need to produce the trumpety, goose-call type of nose blow that would make a librarian's head explode and a classroom full of test-taking students snap their pencils in half with frustration. How do I achieve this?

Otoliths R Us?

buzzv — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:19:22 -0800

Can anyone help me find a source for otoliths, or the tiny stones found in the inner ear? Preferably mammalian, ideally primate or even human (I imagine that last one may be ethically way to far, no offense intended). Searches turned up this AskMe post. Many of the fish ones I find on the web are in museums. I'm just wondering if I have to start opening up my own skulls to get at them.

Blow nose, drink water - experience great tooth pain

royalchinook — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:07:02 -0800

My wife has a funny combo, if she blows her nose, then drinks cold water she gets major pain in one of her teeth (upper row, mid way back) She also gets a similar pain when descending in an airplane - doesn't happen every time but enough times to be nervous on descent. She describes the pain as though someone is ripping out her tooth. Anyone get this or know what it may be? Probably a trip to the dentist would uncover the secret, but I was looking for a mefi preview.

How do I restore order to my sinuses?

rachaelfaith — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:55:39 -0800

Calling all chronic sinusitis sufferers! How do you keep your sinus infections and symptoms to a minimum? In the past year, I have developed a chronic sinus problem, though I may have had a low-lying nasal issue forever. My ENT ordered a CT scan and called my sinuses 'crappy-looking' and suggested surgery, but I'm not ready to take that leap yet.

The worst part for me is the post-nasal drip, coupled with dizziness/nausea and a constant stuffed-up feeling. Lately have been getting headaches, too.

Here is what I've tried:

1. Sinus rinse. I use inconsistently and only when I feel sinus problems cropping up, but I hear this may be my best maintenance option. Trying to increase use to daily.

2. Nasal corticosteroids. Also use only when symptoms are severe.

3. Humidifier. Is this really helpful in the long run?

Things I have not yet tried: Dietary changes, daily allergy medication [I am reluctant to take these unless I know what I'm allergic to], injections, etc.

Anything that helps or has helped you significantly? Please share!

Winter nose woes.

Stewriffic — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:36:04 -0800

Runny nose, dry sinuses, nosebleeds--must be December. Humidifiers are expensive and gross. Boiling water on the stove, etc, doesn't help. Could you please give me suggestions of easy, cheap ways to alleviate/eliminate the side effects of dry air? At least I'm assuming that dry air is the cause of my winter nose problems. From December to March or so, I have a chronically drippy nose coexisting with dry, itchy nasal passages, and minor nosebleeds. I have to have a hankie with me at all times, just to mop up. That chafes my nostrils. Congestion is not typically part of the problem.

Two part question:
1) Any suggestions on how to stop or at least alleviate the runny nose and dry nasal cavities? I think the nosebleeds would take care of themselves if the first two issues were resolved.
2) Why does this common response to dry air happen? Seems to me that it would make more sense if my body held on to the nose moisture instead of letting it drip out.

Humidifiers might be a possibility for #1, but it seems like an overly fussy/expensive/bacteria-filled option. I do try to leave out water to evaporate naturally.

Nosefilter: what might be causing this (bad) smell?

xiaolongbao — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:25:19 -0800

Nosefilter: what might be causing the weird (bad) smell coming from my significant other's nose? I know you're not my doctor, but this funky mucus-y smell eminates from his nose every year starting around this time and gradually fades away in the spring/summer. Has anyone else encountered this? Any recommendations for home remedies or what specialist would be best suited to provide diagnosis (ENT)? FWIW, he's tried using a neti pot with little (lasting) success. I'm not convinced it does anything, actually. It is also definitely not improved after teeth brushing/mouth washing/gum chewing. We're in the NY area, if that lends any clue. Please help me help my SO kissable sans grimaces in the wintertime again. Thank you!

Fake mustache or coke sign?

hammerthyme — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:15:49 -0800

What exactly does it mean when someone holds their finger under their nose as if making a fake mustache? Details inside.. Here's the scenario: I'm at lunch with two friends and I check my voice mail. In the process of me checking my voicemail, the following conversation happens:

Friend #1: Let's hang out this Sunday, all day. You just got paid right?

Friend #2: Ok! What are we going to do?

Friend #1: [Holds index finger under nose as if to make a mustache]

Friend #2: We should wait for Michelle (fake name)!

Friend #1: Yeah, you're right.

I think I know what it means but I don't want it to mean that because it would be truly upsetting news for myself. Please tell me your interpretation of the depicted scenario.

Nose hair trimming and allergies.

damn dirty ape — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 07:18:37 -0800

Nose hair trimming and allergies. I've been having some nose itch issues and noticed some extra nose hair, so I bought a trimmer and cleaned up in there. This turned out to be a bad idea as today my allergies are much worse than they've been all summer. Does trimming affect allergies? Google seems to think so. If so, do I just wait from them to grow back? Anyone know how long this typically takes?

My love for you is like a red, red nose...

Phalene — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 11:41:40 -0800

Rosacea management: care and hiding of a sometimes red face? Several questions all on one topic inside. I have moderate rosacea that afflicts only my nose. The antibiotics removed the surface damage, curing the bumps so I'm merely pink instead of red, inflamed and spotty, but discovering that I have an incurable tendency to flush in a disfiguring fashion means that I want to know the best ways to manage my condition on the other hand I don't want to live my life trying to avoid everything that could cause a rush of blood to prevent a flare up. So:

1) My dermatologist gave me a huge long list of things to avoid based on 'typical' rosacea suffers. Most of these (hot baths/showers/exertion/sun) certainly turn my feet red, but seem to improve my facial redness by fading it. Cold, allergens and surface bacteria seem to be my triggers. How to cope? I’m Canadian, so avoiding the whole winter thing is a non-option.

2) As a contact lense wearer, I find that eye irritation causes me to flush a little bit. How can I minimize this until I can get laser eye surgery (in another 2 or 3 years)? I would swap back to glasses, but the difference in vision between contacts and glasses is for me, considerable. How can I keep my eyes less inflamed, and thus my nose healthy?

3) As a female I want to wear makeup. What lines and brands of foundation/concealer/powder/etc should I look for, that I can use to cover the pink, when I don’t want to look cute and windblown, which have a good track record for sensitive skin? It’s no use hiding the pink only to turn it red with a flare up.

4) The ‘if left untreated’ pictures are ghastly and some things I’ve read say that getting worse is normal. Do I have a future of looking like boil covered raw meat, or do people generally do okay and this is those extreme pictures you typically find in medical texts? Similarly some sources say going into remission is possible (ie Wikipedia). How complete is that remission?

5) On the internet, rosacea seems to be a topic prone to voodoo cures and conflicting information. While interesting reading, what are the best rosacea resources? Non-flakey (ie actually has studies for their ‘emu-oil’ cure ideas) are best.

6) Socially speaking, how do I deal with nice people asking about my skin affliction (ie ‘You have a cold?’) or idiots humming ‘Rudolph’ in what they think is taking the mickey out of me, but is making my self esteem wither? I mean asides from screeching ‘Christ, what an asshole?’

7) I'm 22, and it seems to have started at 20. What gives? I thought this was a middle aged lady disease? Is this something to follow up on? Or is is just genetic luck of the draw, given that my mother has a pink nose too?

8) Anything else I should know about rosacea?

my blood pressure lowers when i breath through my nose, why? and what can i do?

learninguntilidie — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:16:23 -0800

28 yr old male borderline hypertensive. a question about breathing. - so my bp numbers border on hypertensive. and i routinely check my blood pressure. the numbers are consistently int he systolic 130s range EXCEPT when i do this one thing: - breath through my nose then my bp systolic lowers by about 10 pts. here's the thing. my nose ALWASY gets clogged and it makes breathing regularly through my nose difficult - anyone else heard how breathing thorugh the nose, and then taking less breaths lowers blood pressure? i could see how they are connectd

Will I ever enjoy the smells of fine wine?

DetonatedManiac — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:10:57 -0800

Olfactory Filter: My sense of smell is severely diminished, when it exists at all. I have known this for years but now I want to taste wines so I am wondering if there is any way to repair my sense of smell or is it lost forever? I recall distinctly smelling things (particularly foul smelling things) as a child. However I have always had bad allergies and colds and was often congested growing up, still am often. But even when my nose is working at its best (best for me at least) my sense of smell seems quite dull or non existent

I have heard reports about neurological damage causing olfactory malfunction and surmise that could be it but don't know where to start to get that tested or (if possible) treated.

I have always told people that I have no sense of smell but that is not ENTIRELY true. Just the other day I could distinctly smell a bottle of Steak Seasoning my brother was using from across the room. Today I was trying to test myself by going through the refrigerator, spice rack and family perfume supply looking for strong smelling objects. I could faintly smell and identify concentrated lemon juice and even more faintly smell rosemary (in that I knew it was producing A smell). Perfumes and other spices had no identifiable smell for me, but now I have a headache.

HELP What does this mean?

Bicycle == Decongestant ?

benign — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:12:25 -0800

Why does riding my bicycle clear my stuffy nose? I've had a cold for the past few days, and when I wake up at least one nostril is totally blocked, and no amount of blowing will unblock it. One side also remains blocked throughout the day, though sometimes the sides switch. However, after about two minutes of cycling (on my way to work, in the gross Beijing air, FWIW), both sides of my nose are unblocked. At this point, I can either breathe fine, or blow my nose (freeing prodigious amounts of gunk) and then breathe fine. I would really love to know why this happens, but can't think of any good reasons, and a cursory googling turns up nothing.

Why is my nose numb after the flu?

waxpancake — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:15:00 -0800

I've had the flu for a few days, but woke up with something totally new to me: my nose is numb. Should I be worried? Since Sunday, I've had a mix of common flu symptoms (fever, cough, headaches, exhaustion). I was starting to recover but woke up this morning with my nose numb on both sides, radiating down to my upper lip and the roof of my mouth.

If I touch the nostrils on either side, it feels like it's been anesthetized. Any sort of firmer touch is painful, and it hurts too much to close the nostrils to blow my nose. It feels like it's all gotten harder in there.

Any amateur diagnoses? I've been looking online all morning and I'm stumped.

Why can't I sneeze?

ParsonWreck — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:50:35 -0800

When I have a cold, what causes the annoying twinge in my left nostril, that makes me want to sneeze even though I never manage to sneeze? The sensation is a bit like a pinch, and a bit like a tickle. Almost like having a nose hair tugged, though a little further up inside my nose.

It makes me feel like I need to sneeze, but for the 2 worst days of the cold, I rarely DO sneeze. As I type this, having spent a day and a half on the verge of sneezing, it's easily the most profoundly annoying sensation imaginable.

I'd put it down to just another cold symptom, except it happens every time I get a cold, on days 3 and 4 (assuming a 7 day duration - I can time my colds by it,) and always only in the left nostril, which makes me think there's something distinct about what I'm feeling.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about, or how to address it?