December is finally upon us and that means that cold and flu season is officially underway. Although viruses such as these are present throughout the year, scientists have now discovered why we get more sick during winter than in other seasons.
According to research, it has to do with temperature inside our nostrils during the colder months.
When we inhale a virus or bacteria that can cause a respiratory illness, our body responds by creating billions of cells called extracellular vesicles (EV) to boot it out before it can get any further and wreak havoc.
But, when temperatures drop outside, they tend to do so within our nose, too, and that can hamper our immune systems.
Based on the study that was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the temperature in your nose can drop by as much as 9-degrees Fahrenheit when exposed to cold air, and that is enough to kill almost 50% of virus-fighting cells. Even a tiny bit of cold at the tip of your nose can knock out 42% of EVs.
The best way to prevent cold air from entering? Wear a mask to keep your nose warm.
