Do you get nasal drainage in the cold...

[ASammy1]

...while riding? Today was my first really cold ride. 30 degrees F with a wind chill of 24. I was dressed appropriately, but I have terrible sinuses and the nasal drainage got so bad, it made me throw up. :o CLASSY with a capital C! I felt like such a jerk-thank goodness we were about 7 miles from the end, so one of my riding partners sprinted back to the cars and picked me up.

Does anyone else have this problem? Would a Claritin or Zyrtec before the ride help?

[Veronica]

My nose runs constantly when I ride. Snot rockets are a my nose's best friend.

Veronica

[PamNY]

My sympathies on the throwing up. That used to happen to me as a child and it is soooo not fun.

My nose always runs in the cold. I don't know of a remedy.

Pam

[kermit]

That sucks. I also have bad sinuses from a car wreck when they were ruptured. I got sick of ENT's and I just learned to live with the drip and snort. Accidently did a farmers blow on my drafting husband one day. I did discover a supplement that seems to help dry me out. It's called cordyseps synesis (spelling might be wrong). It is a root from I think Hawaii and it is also included in Optygen. I take them every day and have really noticed they help. I order them from different vitamin internet companies, but a good vitamin shop might have them.

[squirrell]

Mine drain constantly, too, for at least the first 60-90 minutes of a ride and it doesn't matter what the temp is. After that, they seem to run dry.

[channlluv]

Veronica, what's a snot rocket? And a farmer's blow? Is that when you just lean over, cover a nostril, and blow it into the wind? I was following an older man who did that one day. Luckily, I was far enough behind him that I didn't get wet...at least I don't think I did. I did let out with an "Oh, nice..." before I realized he could hear me. And his wife, who was riding next to him. Ick.

My nose runs constantly while riding, too. I keep some tissues in my pocket and just blow every now and then.

One supplement that will really dry you up is dried nettles. You can find them at the health food stores. Warning, though: experiment a bit to find a dosage you're comfortable with. They are extremely effective and will really dry you up if you take too much.

Be healthy.

Roxy

[ladyicon]

My nose runs every time I ride. The snot rocket is the only cure. It may be icky, but then you will not throw up . My nose was dripping today when I went for a ride, and it was 75 degrees brrrrr. Sorry, I just had to rub it in :p

[SouthernBelle]

YAY!! It's time for the annual snot rocket thread!!!

[Eden]

My nose runs buckets in the cold. I've always figured it was mechanical more than physical.... cold air - warm nose = condensation... I already take allergy meds and they dry up running from that, but not from the cold.

[Irulan]

I asked my ski patrol doc about it once. It's called "environmentally (or attitudinal) induced rhinitis".

[solobiker]

I have that same problem too. It happens pretty much on every ride, even if it is 90 out. Oh well.

[RolliePollie]

My nose runs like a faucet.

Snot rockets are gross...but it's the only way to go! I can only blow snot rockets out of my left nostril. Luckily that nostril runs more. I don't have a deviated septum...maybe I just have a left-handed nose. If I try to blow one out of the right, I just blow my nose all over myself. Eeeeeew! :eek:

[Geonz]

I am convinced that snot rockets are really good for you, consistent with breathing strategies people work hard to learn. Drain, baby, drain!

[newfsmith]

Lots of people stop riding when they have to switch to wearing a balaclava under their helmet. I'm convinced it is because they are so grossed out by taking the 'clava off at the end. I used to take a clean one with me to ride home at the end of the day. No way was I putting the morning one back on in the evening. I must have 6 of them running around here. Noses run in cold weather to try moisten the cold, dry air before it gets to your chest, they are just doing their job, even if it is gross.

[Pedal Wench]

I use an atrovent nasal spray, made to help exercise induces rhinitis. It's not perfect, but I'm miserable without it.

[beccaB]

I get a lot of snot too, and winter hives to complicate things. And windburned eyes. Oh but that's another thread. I just suffer with the snot. Then it's really fun to go to Choir practice on Thursday nights and see which notes I can actually hit!

[Velobambina]

My nose runs constantly when I ride. Snot rockets are a my nose's best friend.

Veronica

1+

On plus side, I haven't had a sinus infection since consistently riding outdoors in the winter.

[ASammy1]

So basically, I just have to remember that I'm not a "lady" on the bike. :p

[fidlfreek]

FYI Apparently the Chinese government attempted to stop their general population from snot rocketing as a way of life in the period leading up to the Olympics. Imagine all the trees 1.3 billion people a year save by snot rocketing :)

We are in very good company. :)

[Dogmama]

YAY!! It's time for the annual snot rocket thread!!!

Woo-hooo! Let the fun begin!

[OakLeaf]

FYI Apparently the Chinese government attempted to stop their general population from snot rocketing as a way of life in the period leading up to the Olympics.

Just so they could welcome all the athletes to snot rocket all over their new expensive stadiums for a month. :cool::D

[Dogmama]

Just so they could welcome all the athletes to snot rocket all over their new expensive stadiums for a month. :cool::D

AHA! That explains the women's gymnastic team! We want a do-over!

[Grog]

My nose runs lightly whenever I eat, and heavily whenever I exercise, and like a river when I exercise in the cold. That's just the way it is. And I found out recently that my dad is the same.

I am in the process (currently: planning) of making more fabric handkerchiefs for my delicate nose for when I'm off the bike or out of my running shoes. My nose runs even if I'm just walking around in the winter, but I don't blow snot rockets then.

[Jo-n-NY]

my nose runs all the time also, however, more often in colder temps. I alternate between snot rockets and tissues in my bento box. It depends on the situation at the time.

~JoAnn

[fatbottomedgurl]

I'm another with the nose running in any temperature. I always shoot snot rockets but sometimes I miss and end up with it hanging off my shoulder or shoe. Reminds me of Something about Mary- hair gel?

[crazycanuck]

I have to say that at the end of most of my rides, I have dribble coming from my nose..some on my leg, shirt etc. Thank goodness someone created bike gloves

I can't get the snot rocket thing right :o

[breezy]

I have to say that at the end of most of my rides, I have dribble coming from my nose..some on my leg, shirt etc. Thank goodness someone created bike gloves

And this is why you should never shake a cyclists hand during or just after a ride.
:D

[Miranda]

Confession to the snot rocket community at large... I have never done it before:o.

I'm drugged up year round on asthma and allergy meds that really dry things up. I still get drainage though.

Heads up on taking any drugs as asked... they can make you loopy/dizzy as a side effect. Be sure you know how it affects you before you get on the road. I've had a couple wig out experiences before when switching meds. Errr:rolleyes:, not so good.

What if you snot on yourself? Just let it freeze up? Slimes down your garments? My jackets are black... snot is light... Pardon me, I'm having snot rocket stress:p.

[Grog]

I'm drugged up year round on asthma and allergy meds that really dry things up. I still get drainage though.

Year-round, really? I think I would be weary of using that stuff in significant quantities. As you mention, it's pretty potent medicine and I wonder what the adverse effects are in the long term...


What if you snot on yourself? Just let it freeze up? Slimes down your garments? My jackets are black... snot is light... Pardon me, I'm having snot rocket stress:p.

The snot police is beamed up out of nowhere to arrest you and drag you to the snot cell!!!

Just kidding, nothing happens, really, except that you wash your gear perhaps more often than not. I used to be unable to do it. Then I could do it but just on women-only rides. Now I just decided not to be so self-conscious anymore. If I swallow the stuff it's going to make me sick pretty fast. And I'm too busy riding/running to stop and gently blow my nose (which would quickly go raw anyway). So whatever...

[Trigress]

What if you snot on yourself? Just let it freeze up? Slimes down your garments? My jackets are black... snot is light... Pardon me, I'm having snot rocket stress:p.

Rub it in with your glove, then wash your gear afterwards... ;)

I seriously believe that most of the dehydration I experience during training (year round!) is due to nasal drainage, I mean the amounts of snot is unbelievable!

[Geonz]

Yea, me too... I figure I lose 10 pounds a year to the streets and my left shoulder. I know I'm sick if the consistency doesn't lend itself to good launches.

[Aint Doody]

Oooh, Geonz! Me, too. I want it to be the right consistency to travel well off to the side.

[sundial]

As an experiment, I used my sinus rinse thingy before I rode. It cut down on some of the runny nose stuff, but not all. Guess it's just one of those inconveniences of cycling in cold weather. :rolleyes:

[elk]

OK who's gonna teach me????

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Blowing your nose a lot, even one nostril at a time, will encourage your nose to immediately produce more mucous secretions in order to protect the delicate tissues from the 'assault'. It can create a spiraling cycle of blowing and more copious nose running and more blowing. People who blow their noses a lot produce way more mucous than people who just sniffle it in. Doctors say it's much better on the sinuses to just sniff it in and swallow. After a while of this, the mucous secretions decrease to more normal levels because you are not blowing all the time. The end result is that any nausea you might experience from swallowing a lot of mucous will become less likely when you don't produce as much watery mucous. You also won't get so dehydrated from ridding your body of moisture like many are complaining about.
My nose runs a lot in the cold on my bike, I sniff it in and it never becomes huge amounts, just watery annoyance.

I know many of you will argue with this concept and don't accept it. That's fine too- just keep blowing your brains out! :D ;)

[giuliagoolia]

Not only does my nose run, but my eyes tear when it gets cold....I absolutely loathe it!

It doesn't matter if I'm walking, biking or running. I look like I'm having some emotional break down, and I always get weird looks from people.

Unfortunately, I haven't found anything to stop it, just slow it down a little.