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. 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

[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!

[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.