Your nose...one of nature's wonders

Your nose is one of nature's most remarkable pieces of engineering. Not only does it make it possible for you to breathe, but it also provides you with the sense of smell and augments the sense of taste. It even has its own cleaning and filtering mechanism to protect itself from bacteria and airborne particles.

However, since our noses are such sensitive and delicate instruments, it's not surprising that they are often vulnerable to discomfort caused by illness and infections. The most common of these are the common cold and hayfever.

What are the differences between colds and hayfever?

People often confuse these conditions as the symptoms are similar, but in reality they're very different complaints.

What they do have in common is the way they cause the membranes which line our nose to become sore and inflamed. This also results in the production of excess mucous, which leads to that uncomfortable 'bunged up' feeling.

  • Colds are caused by a virus which infects our nose or throat - or both - and is accompanied by catarrh and bouts of sneezing. There are over 200 different strains of virus which are capable of causing the common cold, and all are spread through person-to-person contact.

    This is why most colds are caught in the autumn and winter months, when people spend more time indoors and are more likely to transmit the virus to one another. The symptoms usually last for between 4 and 14 days.

  • Hayfever (or allergic rhinitis to give it its proper name), causes misery to as many as seven million people in the UK every summer. Unlike colds, hayfever is caused by an allergic reaction rather than by a virus. The reaction is caused by plant pollen, particularly certain grasses which depend on the wind for cross-fertilisation.

    When allergic people come into contact with pollen, excessive amounts of a chemical called histamine is produced within the nose. This in turn irritates the small blood vessels and mucous-secreting glands, leading to those all-too-familiar symptoms of sneezing bouts, streaming and itchy eyes and congestion in the nose.

    Other causes of sore or stuffy noses

    If you work in a dry, dusty environment, or one which involves frequent changes of temperature (such as a cold store), you may find that your nose often feels sore or stuffy. Smoky environments such as pubs or clubs can also irritate the delicate lining within the nose.

    Sore nose? Stuffy nose? Spread a little Happinose

    If you want to relieve the misery of a sore, stuffy nose, why not spread a little Happinose?

    Happinose is a soothing new nasal decongestant balm for hayfever and colds. It has a special dual-action formula - Happinose soothes the sore inflamed skin in and around the nose, whilst providing a gentle decongestant action to relieve stuffiness.

    Happinose contains menthol, which has a strong, cooling odour and has been used for many centuries as an effective remedy, and which works in combination with the natural essential oils in the Happinose formula to provide symptomatic relief from nasal congestion associated with hayfever, common colds, catarrh and head colds.

    Happinose comes in a handy tube making it discreet and easy to use, night or day.
    It's also gentle enough to be used on children aged 5 years and over, making it an ideal product for the family. Always read the label.

    You can find Happinose at pharmacies, Boots, Tesco, Safeway and other retail outlets.

    Happinose patient information leaflet