Understanding Early Hearing Checks and Why They Matter for Your Baby’s Development
Chinese New Year is a time of reunion dinners, visiting relatives, spring cleaning, and festive treats. Yet for many adults and children, it also brings something less welcome, a persistently blocked nose.
If you notice that your nasal congestion seems to flare every festive season, you are not imagining it. Several common Chinese New Year activities can trigger or worsen nasal symptoms. Let us look at why this happens, and what you can do about it.
Why Does My Nose Get Blocked During Chinese New Year?
Nasal blockage during the festive period usually results from a combination of environmental triggers, lifestyle changes, and underlying airway sensitivity.
1. Spring Cleaning Stirs Up Allergens
Pre–New Year cleaning often involves dusting curtains, vacuuming mattresses, clearing storerooms, and washing soft furnishings.
This releases:
- Dust mites
- Mould spores
- Fine particles trapped in fabrics
For individuals with allergic rhinitis, even brief exposure can trigger:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- Runny nose
- Nasal swelling and blockage
Children, especially those with eczema or asthma, are particularly sensitive.
2. Steamboat Steam and Enclosed Spaces
Steamboat is a festive favourite. However, prolonged exposure to warm steam in enclosed dining areas may increase swelling in sensitive nasal linings.
In addition, incense, scented candles, and festive fragrances may irritate the nose and worsen congestion.
While steam itself is not harmful, individuals with reactive nasal passages may feel more blocked during and after reunion dinners.
3. Alcohol Can Increase Nasal Swelling
Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, including those inside the nasal lining.
This can lead to:
- Increased nasal congestion
- Facial pressure
- A feeling of fullness in the sinuses
Some people also experience a runny nose triggered by certain foods, a condition known as gustatory rhinitis.
4. Late Nights and Fatigue
Festive visiting often means reduced sleep.
Lack of rest may:
- Increase inflammation
- Lower immune resilience
- Make the nasal lining more reactive
When combined with allergen exposure, this can prolong symptoms.
Is It Allergy or Sinus Infection?
Many people refer to any blocked nose as “sinus”. However, there is an important difference between allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.
Signs of Allergic Rhinitis
- Clear nasal discharge
- Frequent sneezing
- Itchy nose or eyes
- Symptoms triggered by dust or scents
Signs of Sinusitis
- Thick yellow or green discharge
- Facial pain or pressure
- Reduced sense of smell
- Symptoms lasting more than 10 days
- Occasionally fever
If facial pressure and thick discharge persist beyond the festive period, further assessment may be appropriate.
At Dr Lynne Lim Ear Nose Throat & Hearing Centre, both children and adults can undergo nasal examination and, where necessary, flexible endoscopy to determine the underlying cause of persistent congestion.
Why Does My Child Snore More During Chinese New Year?
Parents often notice increased snoring during festive periods.
Possible reasons include:
- Dust exposure from cleaning
- Allergic nasal swelling
- Enlarged adenoids
- Viral infections from gatherings
If snoring is accompanied by:
- Mouth breathing
- Pauses in breathing
- Restless sleep
- Daytime irritability
An ENT assessment may help clarify whether enlarged tonsils or adenoids are contributing factors.
How Can I Reduce Nasal Congestion During the Festive Season?
Simple preventive measures may help:
- Clean rooms in stages instead of all at once
- Ensure good ventilation during cleaning
- Use saline nasal rinses to clear allergens
- Moderate alcohol intake
- Maintain regular sleep patterns
If symptoms are recurrent every year, discussing longer-term allergy management may be useful.
When Should I See an ENT Doctor?
You may consider seeking medical advice if:
- Nasal blockage lasts more than 10–14 days
- Facial pain or pressure worsens
- Thick nasal discharge persists
- Your child snores consistently
- Symptoms recur each festive season
Early evaluation can help determine whether the cause is allergy, sinus inflammation, or structural factors within the nose or airway.
Enjoy the Reunion With Comfortable Breathing
Chinese New Year should be a time of laughter, celebration, and togetherness.
If nasal congestion keeps returning every festive season, it may be helpful to identify the underlying cause rather than simply enduring it.
At Dr Lynne Lim Ear Nose Throat & Hearing Centre, children and adults receive holistic care for sinus, allergy, snoring, and related ENT concerns, with attention to both immediate comfort and long-term airway health.
If your symptoms persist beyond the celebrations, a proper assessment may help you breathe more comfortably into the new year.
