How Seasonal Changes Affect Your Nose, and How to Stay Comfortable Year-Round

As the seasons change, so does everything the nose has to deal with: temperature, humidity, pollen counts, indoor air. Most people notice it as a few uncomfortable weeks at each turn of the year. Here is what is going on, and a routine that holds through all four seasons.

What changes, season by season

• Winter to spring — tree and grass pollen arrive while indoor heating is still drying the air.
• Spring to summer — air conditioning, dust, and in some regions wildfire smoke.
• Summer to autumn — leaf mould, ragweed, and the return to full classrooms and offices.
• Autumn to winter — heating comes on, humidity drops, more time in closed rooms.

Why transitions feel worse than the seasons themselves

The nasal lining adapts to a steady environment. A sudden shift — pollen where there was none, dry heated air after damp autumn — asks it to adjust, and for a few weeks it feels drier, more sensitive or more congested than usual. That is ordinary, and it settles.

A routine that holds all year

• Humidify when the heating comes on.
• Breathe through your nose so air is warmed and humidified on the way in.
• Stay hydrated in every season, including summer air conditioning.
• Cleanse daily. NOWONDER™ nasal spray (also known as Enovid) releases nitric oxide as it is sprayed, cleansing and refreshing the nasal passages and clearing the pollen, dust and pollution each season brings. Use 2 sprays in each nostril before or after visiting crowded places. Per the label, NOWONDER™ may be applied 3 to 4 times daily, or up to 6 times daily as needed. The frequency does not change with the season — the routine simply carries through.

Full routine in A Daily Nasal Spray Routine.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my nose react when the seasons change?
Temperature, humidity, pollen and indoor air all shift at once. The nasal lining takes a few weeks to adjust.

What helps during a seasonal transition?
Humidify when the heating comes on, rinse pollen away in spring, stay hydrated, and keep a daily nasal cleansing routine going through the change.

Should I change how often I use NOWONDER by season?
No. Per the label it may be applied 3 to 4 times daily, or up to 6 times as needed, in any season.

Looking for Enovid nasal spray? Shop all pack sizes with free worldwide shipping — now available as NOWONDER™ in the US.