Does your nose get cherry red every time you’re in cold weather?
Is the cold red nose a source of embarrassment for you? Certainly, the solution is NOT to put on a cosmetic concealer before venturing out into the cold.
Even if the nose doesn’t feel uncomfortably cold, nobody wants to be nicknamed “Rudolf” or hear other comments.
Why Cold Turns Your Nose Red
“Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict or close off,” says Dr. Tess Mauricio, MD, FAAD, a leading board certified dermatologist from Stanford University Medical School and CEO of MBeautyClinic.com.
Dr. Mauricio explains, “The tip of the nose has limited blood supply, so when exposed to the cold, the nasal tip gets less blood flow, and your body compensates by trying to recruit more blood flow to the area to allow continued perfusion [blood flow] of the nasal tip. This causes the nose tip to turn red.”
In other words, a red nose when you’re out in very cold weather means that your vascular system is doing what it is supposed to do: prevent frostbite on your nose.
And frostbite is certainly a lot worse than being called Rudolf or being asked if you had a lot to drink.
Can this natural physiological response be prevented?
If you’re out in the biting low temperatures, you certainly do not want the body to compensate by sending more blood to the nose.
Otherwise you’ll be at risk for frostbite there.
So what can one do to stop the nose from turning red in the cold without compromising safety?
Dr. Mauricio says, “To prevent this, minimize exposure to cold weather.”
If you absolutely must be out in very low temperatures, then Dr. Mauricio advises, “Wear a face mask to warm the face including the nose.”
A partially wool scarf will also help (pure wool is itchy).
Dr. Mauricio is an internationally recognized cosmetic surgeon and the youngest woman to hold the position of President of The San Diego Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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