Dentist called nasal hygiene an important part of the prevention of viral diseases

The pandemic has taught us to sanitize our hands regularly, and the culture of personal hygiene has changed in general. But today, experts are increasingly talking about another area that requires no less attention — the nasal mucosa. She is the first to encounter viruses and bacteria. Irina Fomina, a dentist, orthodontist, and clinical director of REVIXAN, told Izvestia on January 29 why her health largely depends on her condition, and whether her body will be able to ward off the infection.

According to her, the nasal mucosa normally has a powerful self-cleaning system: microscopic cilia remove dust, allergens and microorganisms, and the moistened epithelium acts as a natural filter. However, this mechanism is often disrupted in autumn and winter. Cold air, the heating season and prolonged stay in enclosed spaces lead to overdrying of the mucous membrane. According to the doctor, in this condition, it retains and removes impurities worse, which means that the risk of acute respiratory viral infections increases. It is no coincidence that people who abuse vasoconstrictor drops get sick more often: constant dryness reduces local immunity.

Against this background, nasal hygiene is considered not as a fashion trend, but as part of the prevention of respiratory infections. At the same time, it is important to understand that there are several tools, and each of them solves its own task.

The first and simplest is washing. It helps to mechanically wash away particles of viruses, bacteria and dust from the surface of the mucous membrane. This method works at the moment and should not be used daily: excessive care can be harmful, causing atrophy or, conversely, thickening of the mucous membrane.

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The second important element is hydration. This is especially true after public places, trips in public transport or flights. Sea water sprays in the "shower" format are used to restore the normal state of the mucous membrane when the air is too dry. Full-fledged flushing of the sinuses is not required for prevention, it is enough to clean the anterior parts of the nose. An over—dried mucosa becomes vulnerable, so keeping it hydrated is already a form of protection. Ventilation of the premises, the use of humidifiers and an adequate drinking regime solve the same problem.

At the same time, the doctor emphasizes that if viruses or bacteria have already invaded the mucous membrane, washing alone is not enough. In this situation, many people choose antiseptics. However, the usual remedies — hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, and even more so antibiotics — are not suitable for prevention. They aggressively affect the epithelium, can increase dryness and are used only for strict medical reasons.

Modern technologies, including photodynamic therapy of the nasal mucosa, are used as an alternative in clinical practice. The method is based on a combination of photosensitizer and red light: when activated, the number of pathogenic microorganisms decreases, regardless of whether it is bacteria or viruses. At the same time, healthy tissues are not damaged, and the risk of side effects is minimal. This approach is considered as an additional preventive measure and is applied pointwise in situations of increased risk of infection.

"Nasal hygiene should not become an obsessive ritual. Its purpose is to support natural defense mechanisms, not replace them. A reasonable combination of cleansing, moisturizing and modern preventive methods helps to reduce the likelihood of disease and maintain the barrier function of the mucosa during periods of increased viral activity," concluded Fomina.

On January 19, Alexander Umnov, senior lecturer at the Department of Surgery at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, spoke about the signs of an allergy to frost. The specialist clarified that clinical manifestations are often localized in open areas of the body — on the face, ears, hands, nasal mucosa, upper respiratory tract and lips. Among the symptoms, Umnov listed hyperemia, swelling, itching of the skin, as well as the formation of crusts with serous hemorrhagic discharge, dryness, peeling and tightness of the skin in the area of the red border of the lips.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.