It’s snot a good idea — no matter what TikTok tells you.
That’s the message from doctors about a viral at-home trend for unclogging stuffed noses, warning it could leave cold and flu sufferers even more miserable than before.
“Please don’t do this,” Dr. Madeleine Herman, physician president at the Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, told The Post. “Not only is it ineffective, but it can actually make symptoms worse.”
On TikTok, viral videos show people jamming whole cloves of raw garlic up their schnozes for 10 to 15 minutes before pulling them out, unleashing a flood of thick mucus to their disgusting delight.
Social media users say the stunt can open up clogged sinuses and act as a remedy for congestion when traditional methods fail.
But don’t be fooled by all the snot. While garlic does have some health benefits, Herman said the hack can seriously backfire.
“The dramatic mucus drainage people see after removing the garlic happens for two reasons,” she explained.
First, the mucus has been building up behind the blockage and simply rushes out once the garlic is removed.
Second, the strong compounds in garlic irritate the nasal lining, prompting the nose to churn out even more mucus in an attempt to “flush out” the irritant.
In other words, the torrent of snot you see streaming from TikTokers’ noses isn’t a sign of healing — it’s a reaction to irritation. That irritation can trap existing mucus, making congestion feel even worse.
Herman added that shoving raw garlic up your nose carries real, potentially painful risks.
“The active compounds in garlic can cause chemical burns when applied to the skin or mucous membranes,” she cautioned.
This can cause the delicate tissues inside your nose to bleed, especially with repeated attempts, and may even trigger a rash or leave lasting scars.
“Leaving a foreign object in the nose for too long can also lead to infection,” she warned.
Sticking a garlic clove up your nose can introduce harmful microbes into the delicate nasal cavity. Combined with irritation, this creates a damp environment where bacteria are able to thrive.
The result: a painful sinus infection and other complications. There’s also a risk the clove could get stuck or break apart, potentially requiring a doctor to remove it.
The trend comes as cold and flu season is in full swing across the US, leaving Americans sniffling, sneezing and searching for a solution to clear up congestion.
If you want to breathe freely, doctors recommend skipping the garlic and and sticking to proven methods for treating a cold.
“Colds are usually self-limited viral infections,” Dr. Raj Sindwani, an otolaryngologist, told the Cleveland Clinic. “It’s best to treat them holistically with rest, hydration and nasal sprays or irrigations with saline.”
Over-the-counter nasal decongestants containing ingredients like pseudoephedrine can also help, while pain relievers such as acetaminophen may ease sinus pressure and pain.
Placing a warm, damp cloth over the nose and forehead may soothe discomfort, and adding a humidifier to your room can helps keep nasal passages from drying out.
Inhaling steam from a hot shower or a bowl of water can also help loosen mucus and reduce inflammation.
But if your cold lasts more than 10 days, worsens after initially improving or comes with severe symptoms like high fever, chest pain or difficulty breathing, experts say you should see a doctor to rule out something more serious.
