Don’t Let Skier’s Nose Keep You Off the Slopes

It’s a beautiful winter day and you’re ready to hit the slopes, but you begin to sneeze, and your nose starts running. Your symptoms have you feeling like you’re in the middle of allergy season, but there’s not a plant blooming in sight. The condition is common, and you’re not alone. You’re suffering from cold-induced rhinitis, or skier’s nose.

“With skier’s nose, the lining of the nostrils produces an excess of a certain chemical when exposed to cold, dry air,” said David Beuther, MD, pulmonologist at National Jewish Health. “Your reaction is similar to the one you get to pollen or dust. Instead, you get this reaction to cold air, rather than to something to which you are allergic.”

Fortunately, over-the-counter allergy medications can help with your symptoms. For the medications to be most effective, you need to take them before you’re exposed to the cold air.

Dr. Beuther also recommends wearing a mask or scarf over your nose. This will help to warm cold air before breathing it and should help lessen symptoms. If your symptoms are really bad, see a specialist. A specialist can prescribe a nasal spray that can provide additional relief.