Yes, haze can cause a runny nose.
Understanding Haze and its Effects
Haze, a result of atmospheric pollutants like dust, smoke, and other particles, can irritate the mucous membranes in your body. These membranes line your nose, throat, and eyes. When irritated by haze particles, they can trigger a runny nose as a defense mechanism. This is often accompanied by other symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and sore throat.
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Mechanism: The tiny particles in haze irritate the sensitive lining of your nasal passages. Your body responds by producing more mucus to try and flush out these irritants, resulting in a runny nose.
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Severity: The severity of the runny nose depends on factors like the concentration of pollutants in the haze, the duration of exposure, and your individual sensitivity. Short-term exposure in healthy individuals often leads to minor irritation. However, prolonged or high-concentration exposure can worsen symptoms.
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Symptoms: Along with a runny nose, you might also experience:
- Dry or sore throat
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
Who is Affected?
While healthy individuals can experience a runny nose from haze, those with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies are particularly vulnerable. Their symptoms can be significantly exacerbated by haze.
Reference Information: For healthy people, short-term exposure to haze can cause irritation to the eye, nose, and throat, such as a dry or sore throat, coughing, sneezing, and runny nose.
