Too much cold air entering the nostrils

Posted by learningstudent @learningstudent, Apr 16, 2020

Well...Recently I have developed a weird symptom. I think I have had it for a month. My nose has no mucus, booger and when I inhale, I feel like there is too much air entering my nostrils so I have to use something to block part of it. Otherwise I feel so uncomfortable and suffocated. My right nostril is getting worse, there is no congestion or anything and sometimes my face or nose seems to lose sensation. When the turbinates work normally, they will shrink and swell up and provide warm air but this does not happen to my nose. All the air I breathe in is cold and is not warm at all. I am just wondering what causes it because for people who have atrophic sinusitis, they will have nose blockage. But I do not, I feel my nose is so empty and too much air entering them when inhaling even my nose is not dried. I hope somebody could help.

I have checked my nose, I do not see any turbinates, only hair and the holes of my nose. I have never done any turbinate reduction or nasal surgery.

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@tryevery123

I have the same issue. I'm 15. Out of nowhere my nose, feels like its inhaling more air then smells, and it's cold air. I'm trying not to stress myself out but I cant help it. It feels like my nose is too clear, kind of like whenever you take a mouthwash and your nose feels clear and minty from the mint but it goes on 24/7. I haven't had any surgery, and this just came out of the blue.

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Tryevery123, have you been to an ENT specialist to investigate the issue?

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I think I have this same problem with my left sinus. After deviated septum surgery, I think my left turbinate might be damaged, if that's possible. I feel like I'm getting too much air up the left nostril. which makes me feel absolutely horrible most of the time, with bad headaches. I bought woodyknows nasal filters to block off part of the air that comes through my left nostril. But it only works sometimes. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you found a solution to your problem and if you did could you please let me know.

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@judieg

I think I have this same problem with my left sinus. After deviated septum surgery, I think my left turbinate might be damaged, if that's possible. I feel like I'm getting too much air up the left nostril. which makes me feel absolutely horrible most of the time, with bad headaches. I bought woodyknows nasal filters to block off part of the air that comes through my left nostril. But it only works sometimes. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you found a solution to your problem and if you did could you please let me know.

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@judieg-was your surgery just a septoplasty by itself or were there additional procedures with it?

What were your issues pre-surgery?

This can absolutely happen due to septoplasty. ANY alterations to the nasal cavity are going to make the airways larger. This can cause feelings of dryness, cold air due less contact with mucosal structures, which is needed for the slowing, moisturizing and humidification of air. This problem is all too common yet never discussed. These are airflow dynamic issues that cause physiological side effects of the natural nasal mucosa and nerves.
You can ask your surgeon about this.

When this was brought up to your surgeon, were you told saline rinses, gels and humidification?

The best advice I could offer is humidification for a subjective soothing feeling.

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@nrd1

@judieg-was your surgery just a septoplasty by itself or were there additional procedures with it?

What were your issues pre-surgery?

This can absolutely happen due to septoplasty. ANY alterations to the nasal cavity are going to make the airways larger. This can cause feelings of dryness, cold air due less contact with mucosal structures, which is needed for the slowing, moisturizing and humidification of air. This problem is all too common yet never discussed. These are airflow dynamic issues that cause physiological side effects of the natural nasal mucosa and nerves.
You can ask your surgeon about this.

When this was brought up to your surgeon, were you told saline rinses, gels and humidification?

The best advice I could offer is humidification for a subjective soothing feeling.

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I had a Septoplasty, and about 4 months later, I had Balloon Sinuplasty, on the left sinus, due to it being squeezed together because of the deviated septum. Prior to the Septoplasty, I was having bad migraines and just feeling horrible. I would equate the misery that I was felling to having a really bad sinus infection, though I'm not really sure if that's an accurate description of the misery I felt. It was terrible sinus pressure, that became constantly. This went on for about 5 years. After so many different medications, my primary care doctor sent me to an ENT. After a CT scan of my sinuses, I found out that I had a deviated septum. So I had septoplasty. After my septoplasty, I felt almost back to normal for 1 month exactly to the day. Then my sinus pressure and misery came back, which led me to get the Balloon Sinuplasty. And I don't think the Sinuplasty has helped me at all, because I still feel tremendous sinus pressure, and misery. I saw a different ENT this past Friday. He says he can't find anything wrong with my sinuses, and that my Septoplasty and Ballon Sinuplasty surgery, that the other ENT did, looks great, and that my sinuses also look great. He recommended that I limit analgesics to about twice a week and continue with nasal antibiotics (prescription Flonase) and nasal rinses. I go back to see him in about 5 weeks. What I think is, my left sinus, the one in the back, (sorry, I'm sure what it's called), isn't draining properly, and is causing my misery. I also think, the left nostril again, is open too much, and I'm breathing too much air in, which is causing further problems for me, although the ENT says, both of theses are not true.

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@judieg

I had a Septoplasty, and about 4 months later, I had Balloon Sinuplasty, on the left sinus, due to it being squeezed together because of the deviated septum. Prior to the Septoplasty, I was having bad migraines and just feeling horrible. I would equate the misery that I was felling to having a really bad sinus infection, though I'm not really sure if that's an accurate description of the misery I felt. It was terrible sinus pressure, that became constantly. This went on for about 5 years. After so many different medications, my primary care doctor sent me to an ENT. After a CT scan of my sinuses, I found out that I had a deviated septum. So I had septoplasty. After my septoplasty, I felt almost back to normal for 1 month exactly to the day. Then my sinus pressure and misery came back, which led me to get the Balloon Sinuplasty. And I don't think the Sinuplasty has helped me at all, because I still feel tremendous sinus pressure, and misery. I saw a different ENT this past Friday. He says he can't find anything wrong with my sinuses, and that my Septoplasty and Ballon Sinuplasty surgery, that the other ENT did, looks great, and that my sinuses also look great. He recommended that I limit analgesics to about twice a week and continue with nasal antibiotics (prescription Flonase) and nasal rinses. I go back to see him in about 5 weeks. What I think is, my left sinus, the one in the back, (sorry, I'm sure what it's called), isn't draining properly, and is causing my misery. I also think, the left nostril again, is open too much, and I'm breathing too much air in, which is causing further problems for me, although the ENT says, both of theses are not true.

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I meant to ask the ENT if I had a damaged Turbinate, that other people have mentioned about here, from my Sinuplasty surgery, but I completely forgot. I'll try to remember to ask him the next time I see him.

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@judieg

I meant to ask the ENT if I had a damaged Turbinate, that other people have mentioned about here, from my Sinuplasty surgery, but I completely forgot. I'll try to remember to ask him the next time I see him.

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@judieg-airflow dynamics can change with septoplasty alone. There doesn’t necessarily have to be damage, per se, to a turbinate which is what you may read commonly in the literature.
Septoplasties open up space, that was never open before, therefore can cause this sensation. There is also mucosa that lines the septum. If this is disrupted from a change to the septum shape, this can cause a disruption in sensation as well.

Recent literature/studies have also shown that migraine headaches are felt in the nose. This leads many people to an ENT, before a Neurologist.

The Trigeminal nerves responsible for migraine, also innervate the nose.
When you see your ENT next, ask him about this. Question him about tmj/migraine and how often those are misdiagnosed by an ENT as an anatomical issue. Referred pain, is very common, leading people to an ENT. Most/good ENTs know, they are not supposed to operate off of pain alone.

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@nrd1

@learningstudent-I won’t go into details, as I am mainly here to help or provide insight for others anyway I can.
I will only say, I was in 100% perfect health, until I made a visit to an ENT (surgeon). Western Medicine is a huge money maker. Without patients making appts, there is no money to be made. If more patients were talked to or coached on overall health, fitness, wellness, most importantly stress levels, there would rarely be doctor visits. If an ENT is paid off of surgical procedures, it his his job to convince you to elect for surgery. So be very careful. As many doctors are trained in this and know, that if a patient is coming to see them, they are “worried” about something. They will “find” something to try and confirm your “worry”. But ask yourself, is my worry causing symptoms, or are my symptoms causing worry. Where your mind goes, the energy flows. It’s all interrelated.
We live in a fast paced, high anxiety driven society with technology changing everyday. Unfortunately that has spilled over into our health, with people wanting quick fixes and seeking a doctor to help them ASAP. It can cause more harm than good. The body is not a machine or technological device. Be patient and kind to your body and treat it with grace and respect. Learn/educate yourself on how to gain optimal health through proper nutrition(food is medicine), stress reduction, physical activity and social community. It’s all related when it comes to health.

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@nrd1 I sent you a private message

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@nrd1

@bleuscootergal- Hi. It could be that you need a little help to get your nasal mucosa function/moisture back to functioning pre-sinus infection. This represents a sign of irritation/inflammation if you had not felt it ever before. The lining/function in your nose provides moisture/humidification and changes rapidly to inhaled air. The delicate tissue in your nose might need a little boost getting back to optimal health after fighting off infection/imbalance. The inflammation in nasal mucosa can stick around for a while after an infection. Your body might have had to use a lot of resources to fight off Covid. Assuming while you were getting over it, you were probably inside a lot with dry air. Dryness brings on the cold feeling when inhaling. Focus on Vitamin/Mineral replenishment specifically Vitamin C and Vitamin D, Humidification and lots of hydration. Try to stay a way from forced indoor heat.
Some people naturally experience this feeling, yes, in transient situations of outdoor cold air and or being around dry air. This is due to everyone’s sensitivity being different, nasal mucosa thickness and normal function. If you are only noticing this suddenly and can pinpoint the start of it, then restoration is key when it first begins. Too long of drying nasal mucosa(tissue lining) can damage the little cilia in the nose needed for proper function..

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I too have had this issue since having COVID this past August. Does anyone know how long it takes for the inflammation to subside? What all can I do to help my nose and body recover? I went for a few Acupuncture sessions because I was so plugged up and now it’s the opposite. It’s not 24/7 but it is annoying. It has caused me stress which has turned into anxiety!

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@chatkat65

I too have had this issue since having COVID this past August. Does anyone know how long it takes for the inflammation to subside? What all can I do to help my nose and body recover? I went for a few Acupuncture sessions because I was so plugged up and now it’s the opposite. It’s not 24/7 but it is annoying. It has caused me stress which has turned into anxiety!

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Hello @chatkat65! I wanted to share something that has helped several people I know when they are feeling congested and also with allergies.

- Neti Pot:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/neti-pot/faq-20058305

Have you every heard of a neti pot to clear your nasal mucus?

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Yes, thank you! I love my neti pot! I I use it and the saline bottle

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