Is there a right way to blow your nose?

Question

"Health Check maintains that there’s a correct way to blow your nose and that done well, it can prevent mucus building up to create a runny nose. It’s harder to clear when mucus thickens."

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/blow-nose-cold-203835758.html

Answer 1

Claim: There is a correct way to blow one's nose. 

YES! According to CNN, one should gently blow while "placing a finger on the opposite nostril from the side being blown on. Close the nostril to prevent air from escaping through the opposite side."

Link: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/04/health/how-to-blow-your-nose-wellness/index.html#:~:text=What's%20the%20right%20way%20to,escaping%20through%20the%20opposite%20side.

Comments

Good job checking the fact, I appreciated that you linked the source that you found. However, I think that you could have used more sources and explained why this is the correct way to blow your nose compared to alternative options. I also think that you could have used a source that specializes in the medical field to double check that the CNN claim was correct.

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Good fact check! It really helped that you added the source that you used, the only recommendation I have is to use a source that is in the medical field rather than a news source!

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I like how the source that you found answered your claim directly! However, I think you could've chosen a source that has more of a health or medical background such as this one from Dr. George Marcells who specializes in facial plastic surgery (https://drmarcells.com.au/dr-marcells-explains-how-to-blow-your-nose/) or this one from the University of Queensland (https://medicine.uq.edu.au/article/2017/06/health-check-what%E2%80%99s-right-way-blow-your-nose). Overall, I know the information is all similar, just the nature of the source is different!

Answer 2

It is true that there is a right way to blow your nose. Medical professionals suggest certain methods to effectively clear your nasal passages while minimizing the risk of harm.
Dr. Henry Danko, an expert in internal medicine at Rush University Medical Center, says this is the right way to do it:
Slowly blow out one nose at a time. Put your finger over one nostril and slowly blow out the other via a tissue.
Do not blow too hard. Blowing too hard can cause pressure, which can cause ear pain or sinus problems.
This way of blowing your nose helps avoid problems like earaches or sinus infections that can happen when you blow your nose too hard.
https://www.rush.edu/news/how-blow-your-nose
In the same way, ENT expert Dr. Zara Patel says:
Keep your mouth open a little. This will lower the pressure inside your nose.
Blow gently: Use as little force as possible to clear your nose.
Dr. Patel says blowing gently is just as good and doesn't put as much pressure on the sinuses or ears, which can cause illnesses.https://www.livestrong.com/article/13777440-how-to-blow-your-nose
To sum up, the right way to blow your nose is to do it gently, one nostril at a time, with little force. This will clear out your nasal tubes while lowering your health risks.