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Nasal hair , nose hair or human vibrissae [1] is the hair in the nose. Its main function is to keep foreign or unwanted particles from entering the lungs through the nasal cavity. Adult humans have hairs in the anterior nasal passage.
Nasal hair should not be confused with cilia of the nasal cavity, which are the microscopic cellular strands that, unlike macroscopic nasal hair, draws mucus up toward the oropharynx via their coordinated, back-and-forth beating.
Classification
[edit]The hair coming out from the epidermis Epidermis (skin) has a special connection with the nerves. Hair fiber which we see on the outside also extends internally from dermis to the hypodermis and into the hair follicle. The openings of nose comprise of such hair in the inside, which gets jammed sometimes owing to mucus and also creates a problem of congestion. Nose hair, like other types of hair, is made of keratin.[2]
Function
[edit]Hair in the nose is one of the body's first lines of defense against harmful environmental pathogens such as germs, fungus and spores. When a person inhales unfiltered air through his or her nose, he or she is also inhaling whatever solid particles are contained in that air. The thicket of nose hair contained in each nostril helps to trap the larger particles in a sticky layer of mucus. This is why hygienists discourage people from completely eliminating their nose hair while grooming.[3]
Large particles entering the nose are collected by nasal hair present in the anterior nares. Increased hair density provides an improvement in the filtering efficiency of the nose, while reduced amounts of nasal hair cause a decrease in its efficiency. The amount of nasal hair can vary between individuals, which can make a difference in the filtering efficiency of the nose. Reduced filter function of the nose leads to increased exposure of the airways to allergens. [4]
Nose hair and also the other hair fibers present on our body are present for creating a tough yet flexible restriction. The nasal hair helps in protecting the outer epidermal skin layer from sunlight and small injuries or abrasions. It also performs the specialized function of forming a shield in between the internal body organs and pollutants present in the outside atmosphere. While inhaling, it is quite possible that you can also take in minute particles along with oxygen. Nose hair performs the function of filtering away most of these debris.[5]
Another purpose for nose hair is to provide additional humidity to the inhaled air. As the inhaled air passes through the nasal passages, the mucus and nose hair provide heat and moisture. Humidity is an important factor for the rest of the respiratory system, such as the larynx and lungs. Nose hair in the form of tiny cilia also draw solid particles towards the interface between the nose and throat. Harmful debris is generally directed towards the back of the throat and esophagus for swallowing, while the filtered air continues towards the larynx and lungs.[6]
The nose hair also has ancillary purposes. These hair fibers add surface area to the skin and also help in sweat evaporation. There is a network of nerves which surrounds your nasal hair follicle. This network of nerves provides information to your body regarding the surrounding environment.
Contributions to Well Being
[edit]The nose hair executes several actions to protect from infections. For example, nose hair does not allow harmful airborne pathogens to reach the respiratory tract which save the body from airborne diseases. The mucus present in the nose along with nose hair traps the germs and particles and is thrown out by sneezing. Sometimes, irritants still manage to reach the respiratory tract. But the nasal activities help the body expel them through sneezing.[7]
Disturbances of Normal Growth
[edit]Several outside causes influence the growth of nose hair which can increase or decrease the length and thickness of these hairs. Many medical treatments, cosmetics and even drugs have been found to have adverse effect on hair follicles. Many times genetic patterns also interfere with their normal growth. If some has no nose hair, then their chances of falling ill are greater. If the hairs of nose grow too long, they too do not serve the purpose as they look bad and are messy. At such time someone can use a nasal clipper or trimmer to shorten them without reducing their ability to filter dust and pathogens.
Removal
[edit]A number of devices have been sold to trim nasal hair, including miniature rotary clippers, and attachments for electric shavers. The trimmers shorten the hair to such lengths so that they do not appear outside of the nasal passage.
Nose hair can be safely trimmed with specialized rotary clippers or mechanical trimmers, but great care should be used to prevent infection or irritation from ingrown hairs. Excessive nose hair can be trimmed until it falls below the line of the nostrils, but any aggressive trimming inside the nasal cavities should be avoided.
The removal of nasal hair by plucking can be painful, followed by a reaction of tearing eyes, sneezing, and sometimes bleeding. These symptoms can be lessened if the plucking occurs in a situation where more warm moisture is present in the nasal passage (for example, after a shower or steam facial); However, the pain associated with this method of nose hair removal can be a prohibitive factor to its removal for cosmetic purposes. When tweezers are used, applying an antiseptic cream after treatment on the end of a cotton swab can help reduce the risk of infection and soreness. Removal by hand can be less painful, though acquiring a firm grip on a single hair may prove prohibitively difficult for some.
While excessive nose hair may be considered unsightly, it should never be completely removed. Those who choose to remove almost all of their nose hair may find themselves very susceptible to allergy attacks, sinusitis and respiratory infections. Elderly people may also want to minimize their nose hair trimming because it often takes longer for the clipped hairs to grow back. Nose hair serves the same filtering purpose as ear hair, both of which may become a little overgrown as time goes by.
The over-trimming of nasal hair can cause dryness in the nasal passages. This can be temporarily relieved through the use of nasal sprays, but the natural balance of mucus and functional nose hair should be maintained as often as possible. [8]
Infections
[edit]Infections can arise in the nose. Pimples are often seen in nose pickers. Picking with a finger will deliver germs into your nose. These can lead to skin infections. Vestibulitis is infection of the area just inside the opening of the nostril. Pickers can also infect the hair follicles inside the nose and cause small pimples called folliculitis.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/vibrissae
- ^ Scott, W., and D. Taulbee. "Theoretical Study of Nasal Deposition." Bulletin of Mathematical Biology. 40.5 (1978): 581-604. Print.
- ^ Swift, D, and J Kesavanathan. "The Anterior Human Nasal Passage as a Fibrous Filter For Particles." Taylor & Francis. 151.1 (1996): 65-78. Print.
- ^ Makofsky, Nina. "The Function of Nose Hairs." Livestrong 14 Jun 2011, n. pag. Web. 14 Apr. 2012. http://www.livestrong.com/article/290573-the-function-of-nosehairs/
- ^ DJ Thorton, "Structure & Function Of The Polyeric Mucins In Airways Mucus", Mar 2008, Annu Rev Physiol (44): 459-486
- ^ Hair, Glenn, Newton Fischer, and Mack Preslar. "Humidification of air by nasal mucosa.: A Method of Study." Larygoscope. 79.3 (1969): 375-381. Print.
- ^ Yu, C., C. Diu, and T. Soong. "Statistical Analysis of Aerosol Deposition in Nose and Mouth." American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal. 42.10 (1981): 726-733. Print.
- ^ http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-purpose-of-nose-hair.htm
- ^ http://www.livestrong.com/article/97145-nose-picking-effects-health/#ixzz1s30fB76k