Iran (IMNA) - The respiratory lining demands constant care—an imperative that becomes more pressing in dry climates, polluted cities, dust-prone environments and cold weather, according to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.
Amirabbas Kargoshaei, an ENT and head and neck surgeon, told IMNA that climatic conditions play a decisive role in the health of the upper airways. The nose, he said, functions as the gateway to the respiratory system and is central to healthy breathing. Beyond the direct airway that runs from the nose to the lungs, the system includes important associated structures—most notably the ears—which are anatomically and functionally linked to respiration.
He stressed the exceptional vulnerability of the respiratory mucosa. The nasal lining—and respiratory mucosa more broadly—is among the most delicate tissues in the human body and therefore requires meticulous hygiene and sustained care. Yet, he noted, public attention to nasal and respiratory hygiene lags far behind routine oral and dental care. “Just as people attend daily to their teeth,” he said, “the respiratory mucosa also needs regular maintenance.”
Why dry air, pollution and cold matter
Drawing a comparison between dental tissue and the nasal lining, Kargoshaei pointed out that tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the body, while the cilia of the respiratory tract and the nasal mucosa are among the most fragile. Neglecting nasal hygiene can gradually damage this tissue, potentially leading over time to chronic nasal swelling and erosion—often described as ‘degeneration’ of the nasal lining.
He argued that nasal and sinus hygiene should be integrated into public health programmes in the same way as oral health, particularly in dry climates and in the presence of air pollution, local dust and cold temperatures. Each of these factors, he warned, can directly harm the nasal mucosa.
How to keep the nose moist
Kargoshaei offered simple, practical advice for everyday care. Patients are generally advised to avoid manipulating the ears and to prevent the nose from drying out. Keeping the nasal lining moist is central to maintaining its health.
The simplest method, he said, is the gentle use of warm water. During face washing, a small amount of warm water can be allowed to enter the nostrils softly, followed by very gentle nose blowing. Forceful expulsion should be avoided, as excessive pressure can injure the mucosa.
Are saline solutions helpful?
More advanced care methods include saline irrigation, which remains one of the most effective approaches to nasal cleansing worldwide. Ideally, saline solutions should be warmed to body temperature and used in a flowing rinse, allowing the nasal passages to be thoroughly and safely cleared.
Regarding over-the-counter saline sprays, Kargoshaei said diluted preparations—including those marketed for children—are not harmful for moisturising the nose. However, their effectiveness is limited compared with true nasal irrigation. A gentle flow of saline entering one nostril and exiting the other, followed by very mild drainage, provides more effective cleansing of the mucosa.
When saline can do harm
He cautioned that concentration matters. Saline on its own can dry the nasal lining, and solutions that are too concentrated may damage the mucosa. Lower concentrations, while less potent, are generally safe.
For this reason, Kargoshaei recommended standardised, ready-made saline solutions available from pharmacies as a safer option for nasal irrigation. While rinse serums also come with usage considerations, he said, these are secondary to ensuring the correct concentration and gentle technique when using saline solutions.
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