I am a 16-year-old girl who isn't very good at blowing her nose. I can blow the air down hard enough, but nobody has ever taught me a good technique for a proper clear-out. What is the best way to hold your nose in the tissue to get a really good nose-blow? How would you recommend I try to blow my nose?

After speaking with a few experienced nasal expectorators, Alice came up with these nose-blowing nuggets:

• Choose tissues over washable handkerchiefs — used hankies wadded-up in your pocket provide a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Take a deep breath (through your mouth) before you blow your nose.
• Keep your mouth slightly open when you're ready to let loose. This can help prevent damage to your ear drums.
• Blow out little, gentle puffs, as opposed to hair-raising honks, which should also spare your nostrils, Eustachian tubes, and ear drums from a harmful beating.
• Close your eyes to make nose-blowing a more comfortable experience.
• Block one nostril while evacuating the other, and then trade as needed.
• Inhale steam or take a shower before blowing your nose, facilitating "clean-out" by loosening those tough clogs.
• Wipe your nose to make sure nothing else is hanging around when all's been cleared.

Reducing your risk of catching a cold may be one way to eliminate the need to blow your nose in the first place. Also wash your hands frequently, get enough sleep, reduce stress, and manage your allergies and hay fever, if you have any.

Alice

Related Q&As

Can holding a sneeze cause damage?

Addicted to nasal spray?

Hacking up strange clumps — why?