Why Does Your Nose Get Red in Winter?
When the snow blows and the cold air creeps in, your nose tends to turn the color of Santa's suit. This reaction happens in blustery weather for a variety of reasons and you can treat your red nose in different ways.
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Overactive Blood Vessels
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In cold weather, a red nose is usually a completely normal reaction. Your blood vessels might be overcompensating for the change in temperature.
Prevention/Solution
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Protect your nose from the cold wind by covering it with a scarf. According to Dr. Joseph Bark of St. Joseph's Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, a little bit of petroleum jelly rubbed on your nose also can do the trick.
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Common Cold
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Although the cold weather itself can't give you the sniffles, it lowers your immune system, making it easier for germs, including that of the common cold, to enter your body. The more you blow your runny nose, the redder it turns.
Treatments
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Treat your cold symptoms, including your red, runny nose, with lots of rest and even more liquids. Increase your vitamin C intake and use some Vix Vapor Rub to clear your nose. The faster you beat the sickness, the faster your nose loses its red tint.
Frostbite
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If you're outside in the cold for too long and your nose, or any part of your body, starts to turn grayish-yellow or white, you might have frostbite. Numbness or itching usually accompanies this skin condition. In more severe cases, frostbite results in blistering, which turns red and raw as it thaws.
Treating Frostbite
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Get out of the cold right away to prevent further damage. Cover, but resist rubbing the numb area. Go to your doctor immediately if the area remains numb after it has thawed.
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