People are left stunned after doctor reveals how to blow your nose correctly

A doctor has explained how to correctly blow your nose because the way we've been doing it is wrong.

I'll be honest, before I was presented with this information I never gave much of a thought about how to blow my nose.

We're all going to catch a cold at some point in our lives, and as annoying as they are, they usually pass by without causing much harm.

When they strike, most people reach for the tissues and get ready for their noses to start leaking... but are you tending to it properly?

We've all been struck down by a cold at some point in our lives. Credit: Paul Bradbury/Getty

Sharing insights with his 1.4 million TikTok followers, allergist Dr. Zachary Rubin outlined the dangers of incorrectly clearing your sinuses.

Dr. Rubin explained that many people blow their noses too forcefully or pinch both nostrils at once, a common mistake. This excessive pressure can damage delicate nasal passages, especially in dry conditions, and increase the likelihood of painful nosebleeds.

Beyond that, forceful nose-blowing can send mucus in unintended directions, potentially causing further complications.

“You could be displacing mucus, bacteria, viruses, etc. into your eustachian tubes and potentially increasing the risk of having an ear infection,” Dr. Rubin said. In rare cases, this could even lead to a ruptured eardrum.

Dr. Rubin’s public service announcement comes at a critical time, as cold and flu season intensifies nationwide.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza levels are “high” or “very high” in 42 states, with the South and Pacific Northwest particularly affected.

The hardest-hit states include Oregon, Idaho, New Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. Meanwhile, Montana and Vermont remain relatively unscathed, with minimal flu activity reported.

For those battling congestion, Dr. Rubin offers straightforward advice:

1. Press one nostril closed to prevent air from escaping through the opposite side.
2. Gently blow into a tissue to clear mucus from the open nostril.
3. Repeat on the other side.

The key, Dr. Rubin emphasized, is to blow gently and avoid creating too much pressure - and only blow out of one nostril at a time, not both. “It should be slow, comfortable, and relatively quiet — no forceful honking,” he advised.

To minimize the spread of germs, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterward.

This seems like good advice to have this winter. Credit: Guillermo Spelucin/Getty

People seem shocked by this information, as one person wrote: "At this point I'm convinced I don't even blink correctly."

A second person said: "I was so concerned at first that I've been doing it wrong for years, but now I'm wondering how do you even blow with both nostrils at the same time??"

While a third seemed to know already: "Wait people don’t plug one side when they blow their nose?"

So, as we are deep in winter and sicknesses are spreading, perhaps it would be worth taking this advice on board.

Featured image credit: Guillermo Spelucin/Getty