The sensation of having inhaled water into your nose is a common and often uncomfortable experience. It typically involves a stinging, burning, or pressure-like feeling within the nasal passages. This article explores the reasons behind this distinctive sensation and contributing factors.
Understanding the Sensation
The immediate cause of the “inhaled water” feeling relates to the delicate lining of your nasal cavity. This area is covered by mucous membranes, which contain nerve endings and tiny hair-like structures called cilia. These membranes are designed to maintain a specific balance of salts and fluids to function properly, warming and humidifying the air you breathe.
When plain water, which has a lower salt concentration than your body’s cells, enters the nasal cavity, a process called osmosis occurs. Water molecules rush into the cells of your nasal lining to try and balance the concentration, causing these cells to swell. This cellular swelling irritates the sensitive nerve endings, particularly those associated with the trigeminal nerve, leading to the stinging or burning sensation. This discomfort is essentially a natural protective response, signaling that something is amiss in this sensitive environment.
Everyday Causes of Nasal Irritation
The most common scenarios for experiencing the sensation of water in the nose occur during routine activities. Swimming, especially when diving or jumping into water, frequently leads to water entering the nasal passages.
Showering can also inadvertently cause this feeling if water accidentally streams into the nose. Nasal rinses, such as those performed with neti pots or saline sprays, are designed to clear nasal passages, but even they can cause temporary discomfort. If the saline solution is not correctly isotonic (meaning it doesn’t match the body’s natural salt concentration) or if plain tap water is used, it can lead to stinging.
Other Factors Affecting Nasal Comfort
Beyond direct water inhalation, other conditions and environmental factors can irritate nasal passages or make them more sensitive. Allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, cause inflammation of the nasal lining when exposed to allergens like pollen or dust. This inflammation can make the nose feel stuffy, runny, and generally uncomfortable, mimicking the sensation of water or making it more pronounced if water does enter.
Dry air can significantly impact nasal comfort, especially in cooler climates or during winter months. Low humidity causes the mucous membranes to dehydrate, leading to irritation, congestion, and increased sensitivity. Sinus infections, or sinusitis, involve inflammation and often fluid buildup in the air-filled pockets behind your nose and cheeks. This condition can create pressure and a feeling akin to having water in the nose, often accompanied by thick discharge, facial pain, and congestion. Exposure to irritants like dust, chemicals, strong odors, or even certain medications can also inflame the nasal passages, contributing to a similar burning or uncomfortable sensation.
When to Consult a Doctor
While the sensation of water in the nose is often harmless and temporary, certain symptoms warrant medical attention. You should consult a healthcare provider if the discomfort persists for more than 10 days, or if it is accompanied by a high fever. Other concerning signs include thick, discolored nasal discharge (yellow or green), which can indicate a bacterial infection.
Seek medical advice if you experience severe facial pain or pressure, swelling around the eyes or face, nosebleeds, or a significant loss of smell. These symptoms, especially when combined, could point to a more serious underlying issue like a persistent sinus infection, structural problems, or, rarely, a cerebrospinal fluid leak.
Tips for Relief and Prevention
To alleviate the immediate discomfort of water in the nose, gently blowing your nose can help expel the water. Tilting your head to the side allows gravity to assist in draining the fluid. Inhaling steam, such as from a hot shower or a bowl of warm water, can also provide general nasal comfort by moistening the passages and thinning mucus.
Preventing the sensation often involves adjusting techniques during water activities. When swimming, exhaling slowly through your nose while underwater can create pressure that keeps water out. Using a nose clip is an effective way to prevent water from entering the nasal passages entirely. For nasal rinses, always use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled and cooled water, and ensure the saline solution is correctly prepared to match your body’s salt concentration to avoid irritation. Using a humidifier in dry environments can help maintain moisture in the nasal passages, and avoiding known irritants like smoke or strong chemicals can reduce overall nasal sensitivity.