Exercise-induced rhinitis: when your body pedals… and so does your nose
If you've ever felt like you had to go out with a roll of paper towels for a simple bike ride, rest assured: you're not alone. This phenomenon, which scientists call exercise-induced rhinitis, affects a large number of cyclists, both professional and amateur. We asked a few regulars around us about it. route, and the answers are as telling... as they are sometimes slightly wet.
By Jeff Tatard – Photos: depositphotos.com
A completely normal reaction
From the first minutes of a sustained effort, especially on a bike, breathing accelerates and becomes deeper: this is what we call hyperventilation.This phenomenon is completely natural, as it helps oxygenate the body in response to the increased demand for energy. But this hyperventilation has a rather unexpected side effect: it quickly dries out the nasal mucosa.
In response, our body begins to produce moretagand mucus to compensate for this dryness, maintain a certain humidity and protect the respiratory tract. "It's as if my nose activates an automatic sprinkler system as soon as I exceed 25 km/h.", jokes Titi, who rides all year round, in all weather.
Cold, dry air, the main trigger
The situation obviously worsens when the weather conditions are not favorable.In winter, or simply when it's cool and dry, the air you breathe is particularly harsh on your mucous membranes. As a result, a real nasal cascade can set in within the first few kilometers.
Fred, a keen cyclist, sums it up well: “As soon as it drops below 8°C, I know I'll be sniffing all day. It's as if my nose is categorically refusing even the slightest draft.“This is not an exaggeration: the mucous membranes react to dry air by overproducing fluid, a bit like a self-cleaning system… sometimes a little too enthusiastically.
Not an allergy, but a physiological reaction
Unlike allergic rhinitis (which is often accompanied by sneezing, itching, or watery eyes),Exercise-induced rhinitis is usually accompanied only by a clear, runny nasal dischargeIt stops shortly after the end of the effort, and is not pathological.
Titi, who has been training at a club for several years, long mistook it for a form of seasonal allergy.I thought I was allergic to nature... until I realized it happened to me on a home trainer too!" he says, laughing.
Tips to limit the problem
So, what should we do? We asked Dr. Laurent Aumont, a sports physician at IMS PREFONTAINE in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. A few simple strategies can help reduce this unglamorous side effect :
- Warm up gradually, to give the mucous membrane time to adapt to the effort.
- Wear a neck warmer or light buff over your nose to warm and humidify the inhaled air a little.
- Drink regularly, as good hydration promotes better regulation of mucus.
- And above all: avoid self-medicated decongestants, which can worsen the problem in the long term.
Olavo, our Portuguese cyclist friend, who swears by long rides in mytagno, found his solution: “Since I've been wearing a buff, even in the spring, I've definitely cut down on my tissue breaks. And as a bonus, I look faster, even when I'm not."
Even the pros go through it
In the professional pelotons, the phenomenon is well known. It is not uncommon to see riders perform a small, discreet but effective “lateral throw” while climbing. This gesture, called snot rocket by English speakers, is part of the experienced cyclist's survival kit.
So no, you're not weird if your nose decides to live its own life while you're out and about.It's just your body's intelligent—but a bit too demonstrative—reaction to the effort. While you wait for the next climb, we recommend keeping a tissue handy... or adopting Cédric's technique: buff, style, and peace of mind for your nose.
