The effect of cold water immersion on the nasal mucosa

The response of the nasal mucosa to cold water immersion is not well known. We have attempted to document this response in normal individuals. Seventeen individuals with no history of nasal disease or allergy were studied. All subjects were asked to perform sustained cold water (15 degrees C) immersion of their hand and forearm on the side of the obstructed nostril for a period of 5 min. The nasal cross-sectional area was measured on both sides of the nose using an acoustic rhinometer. The individuals were then rested for at least 30 min and the test repeated with immersion of the opposite hand. There was a significant fall in nasal cross-sectional area on the side of immersion (median change = 0.32 cm2, P = 0.0003) with a significant rise in nasal cross-sectional area on the none test side (median change = 0.35 cm2, P = 0.0003). There were no significant differences between these results and those obtained by immersion on the opposite side. The results indicate that cold water immersion produces nasal obstruction and that both afferent and efferent arms of this reflex are side-specific.