It\u2019s snot a good idea \u2014 no matter what TikTok tells you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the message from doctors about a viral at-home trend for unclogging stuffed noses, warning it could leave cold and flu sufferers even more miserable than before. <\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t do this,\u201d Dr. Madeleine Herman, physician president at the Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston<\/a>, told The Post. \u201cNot only is it ineffective, but it can actually make symptoms worse.\u201d<\/p>\n Cold and flu season in the US typically runs from October until February. Xavier Lorenzo \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n On TikTok, viral videos<\/a> show people jamming whole cloves of raw garlic up their schnozes for 10 to 15 minutes before pulling them out, unleashing a flood of thick mucus to their disgusting delight.<\/p>\n Social media users say the stunt can open up clogged sinuses<\/a> and act as a remedy for congestion when traditional methods fail.\u00a0<\/p>\n But don\u2019t be fooled by all the snot. While garlic does have some health benefits<\/a>, Herman said the hack can seriously backfire. <\/p>\n \u201cThe dramatic mucus drainage people see after removing the garlic happens for two reasons,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n First, the mucus has been building up behind the blockage and simply rushes out once the garlic is removed.<\/p>\n Second, the strong compounds in garlic irritate the nasal lining, prompting the nose to churn out even more mucus in an attempt to \u201cflush out\u201d the irritant.<\/p>\n Social media users are sticking cloves up their nose. TikTok \/ @siuwupeepoo<\/p>\n When they pull the garlic out, it\u2019s often followed by a trail of snot. TikTok \/ @hwannah5<\/p>\n In other words, the torrent of snot you see streaming from TikTokers\u2019 noses isn\u2019t a sign of healing \u2014 it\u2019s a reaction to irritation. That irritation can trap existing mucus, making congestion feel even worse.<\/p>\n Herman added that shoving raw garlic up your nose carries real, potentially painful risks.<\/p>\n \u201cThe active compounds in garlic can cause chemical burns when applied to the skin or mucous membranes,\u201d she cautioned. <\/p>\n Garlic has medicinal properties, but health experts say you won\u2019t reap any by shoving it up your nose. yanadjan \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n This can cause the delicate tissues inside your nose to bleed, especially with repeated attempts, and may even trigger a rash or leave lasting scars.<\/p>\n \u201cLeaving a foreign object in the nose for too long can also lead to infection,\u201d she warned.<\/p>\n Sticking a garlic clove up your nose can introduce harmful microbes into the delicate nasal cavity. Combined with irritation, this creates a damp environment where bacteria are able to thrive.<\/p>\n The result is a painful sinus infection<\/a> and other complications. There\u2019s also a risk the clove could get stuck or break apart, potentially requiring a doctor to remove it.<\/p>\n The trend comes as cold and flu season is in full swing across the US, leaving Americans sniffling, sneezing and searching for a solution to clear up congestion. <\/p>\n If you want to breathe freely, doctors recommend skipping the garlic and and sticking to proven methods for treating a cold.<\/p>\n \u201cColds are usually self-limited viral infections,\u201d Dr. Raj Sindwani, an otolaryngologist, told the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s best to treat them holistically with rest, hydration and nasal sprays<\/a> or irrigations with saline.\u201d <\/p>\n