Questions for an ear, nose & throat doctor

We had a few delicate questions about noses. Here’s how Dr. Thomas Hung, a physician in private practice at Medical City Dallas, answered them.

Q: What is it about the nose that interests you?

A: The nose has an aesthetic quality. When we look at people, one of the first things we’re attracted to is their nose. We’re sensitive to picking up the symmetry, so we focus on it. It gives the face contour, character, yet also has a function in terms of breathing, as well as taste.

Q: Why do our noses run when we cry?

A: We have tear ducts in the corners of our eyes, close to the nose, which drain tears from the eyes into the nose. Thus, when we cry, some tears spill over and run down our face, but tears also drain into the nose, thus making our nose run.

Q: What’s the best way to stop a nosebleed?

A: Sit upright and pinch your nostrils shut for 15 minutes. No peeking. Then let go. If your nose continues to bleed, pinch again for 15 minutes. If it’s still bleeding, perhaps go to the emergency room. People on blood thinners and those taking aspirin daily, where the clotting ability is diminished, can have a nosebleed for hours.

Q: What happens when we smell?

A: The molecules of a certain scent make their way to the top of the nose. They go straight up to where the nose meets the brain, to the small perforations where the olfactory nerve endings sit. The smell molecules trigger these to fire. Then the molecules go to the part of the brain responsible for smell in the frontal lobe, where you recognize, ‘Oh! That’s a rose.’ Or, ‘That’s gasoline.’

Q: How can we keep our noses healthy?

A: For allergies, once you recognize you have them, especially if they’re seasonal, get yourself on medications. Antihistamines work best before exposure. It’s almost too late once you get the runny nose. I generally recommend a regimen of nasal humidification, more frequently in the winter . ... It takes a little getting used to, but once you do it, it feels pretty good.