In the past, several studies have already looked at the natural barrier that nose hair represents. Are they nevertheless effective in combating airborne viruses? None of the existing work makes this clear, but when you consider the size of viruses, hope is pretty slim.
Some people try to shed the hairs inside their nostrils. When they protrude, they indeed become unsightly. In 2019, Health Magazine explained, however, that the hairs of the nose are a filter protecting us from microbes other dusts that we breathe. This is a barrier preventing these impurities from reaching the lungs. In general, therefore, it is best to cut the protruding hairs, but not to pull them out . The goal is to avoid potential inflammation and increase the risk of infection.
However, a question arises:how effective are they against airborne viruses ? Several studies provide some elements, but in reality, there is no evidence on this subject. In the journal The Lancet is a study dating from 1896, conducted by a duo of researchers from the British Institute of Preventive Medicine. Scientists are adamant:the inside of most nasal cavities is perfectly sterile. In addition, they observe that the entrance to the nostrils can host bacteria-filled crusts . In conclusion, they claim that the hairs of the nose have a filtering power.
In 2011, researchers from Hacettepe University in Ankara (Turkey) focused their attention on the thickness of nose hair. By observing 233 people as part of their work, the scientists came to the following conclusion:the thicker the nose hair, the greater the risk of having asthma . Nevertheless, the study has its limits since it is only about observations. Moreover, asthma is not an infection and the researchers have not analyzed the potential effects of hair removal. Four years later, yet another study finally focuses on trimming nose hair. Their conclusion is also very logical:trimming nose hair improves air circulation.
However, is there a link between removing them and an increased risk of airborne viruses? Do noses with thicker hair better protect against viral infections? Nothing is certain, simply because no study is formal on this subject. Nevertheless, the hope is rather slim. Remember that viruses have a size between 10 and 400 nanometers , so they certainly pass between the hairs, regardless of their length, thickness or quantity.
