Allergic salute
{{short description|Upward rubbing of the nose to relieve itching}}
The allergic salute (sometimes called the nasal salute) is the characteristic and sometimes habitual gesture of wiping and/or rubbing the nose in an upwards or transverse manner with the fingers, palm, or back of the hand. It is termed a salute because the upward movement of the hand acts as an unintentional gesture.{{cite web|author1=Jim McMorran |author2=Damian Crowther |author3=Stew McMorran |author4=Steve Youngmin |author5=Ian Wacogne |author6=Jon Pleat |author7=Clive Prince |url=http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-1167392718 |title=allergic salute - General Practice Notebook |publisher=Gpnotebook.co.uk |access-date=2012-11-25}} The habit of using the hand to wipe the nose is observed more often in children but is common in adults as well.{{cite web|url=http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/allergic+salute |title=Allergic Salute |publisher=Medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com |access-date=2012-11-25}}{{cite web |url=http://www.medicinetoday.com.au/2007/november/article/allergic-rhinitis-spring-action#.VNveDmTF8Yc |title=Allergic rhinitis: spring into action |format=PDF |access-date=2015-02-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212015747/http://www.medicinetoday.com.au/2007/november/article/allergic-rhinitis-spring-action#.VNveDmTF8Yc |archive-date=2015-02-12 |url-status=dead }} Saluting most commonly temporarily relieves nasal itching as well as removing small amounts of nasal mucus.{{cite web |url=http://www.acaai.org/allergist/Resources/ask-allergist/Pages/Ask_the_Allergist-What_Are_Allergic_Shiners.aspx |title=Ask the Allergist - What Are Allergic Shiners |publisher=Acaai.org |access-date=2012-11-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108031920/http://www.acaai.org/allergist/Resources/ask-allergist/Pages/Ask_the_Allergist-What_Are_Allergic_Shiners.aspx |archive-date=2012-11-08 |url-status=dead }}
In people who are experiencing seizures, nose wiping has been observed as a semi-voluntary action.{{Citation
| last1 = Fisher | first1 = RS
| last2 = Schachter | first2 = SC
| title = The Postictal State: A Neglected Entity in the Management of Epilepsy.
| journal = Epilepsy & Behavior
| volume = 1
| pages = 52–59
| year = 2000
| doi = 10.1006/ebeh.2000.0023
| pmid = 12609127
| issue = 1 | s2cid = 20393636
}}
Process
The upwards wiping of the nose and nostrils allows for running mucus to be wiped off quickly and easily. Also, as the nostrils are being pushed up the air passages through the nose become temporarily propped open. This is especially beneficial if the air passages are swollen and the nostrils are itchy due to irritations such as allergic rhinitis.{{cite web|author =N.J |url=http://my-health-inf.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-is-salute.html |title=What is an "Allergic Salute"? |publisher=My-health-inf.blogspot.com |date=2012-01-08 |access-date=2012-11-25}}
The mucus that is wiped onto the hand will most likely carry bacteria and other germs which could then in turn be passed along to other people.{{cite web|url=http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/7110/ |title=This is How Germs Spread... It's Sickening! |publisher=Health.ny.gov |access-date=2012-11-25}} Habitual as well as fast or rough saluting may also result in a crease (known as a transverse nasal crease or groove) running across the nose, and can lead to permanent physical deformity observable in childhood and adulthood.{{cite book|last=Pray|first=W. Steven|title=Nonprescription Product Therapeutics|year=2005|publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|page=221|isbn=0781734983}}{{cite web|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/296252-white-line-on-nose-in-children/ |title=White Line On Nose In Children |publisher=Livestrong.Com |access-date=2012-11-25}}
See also
References
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