title: Influence of cooling face masks on nasal air conditioning and nasal geometry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nasal geometries and temperature of the nasal mucosa are the primary factors affecting nasal air conditioning. Data on intranasal air conditioning after provoking the trigeminal nerve with a cold stimulus simulating the effects of an arctic condition is still missing. The objective was to investigate the influence of skin cooling face masks on nasal air conditioning, mucosal temperature and nasal geometry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standardized in vivo measurements of intranasal air temperature, humidity and mucosal temperature were performed in 55 healthy subjects at defined detection sites before and after wearing a cooling face mask. Measurements of skin temperature, rhinomanometry and acoustic rhinometry were accomplished.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After wearing the face mask the facial skin temperature was significantly reduced. Intranasal air temperature did not change. Absolute humidity and mucosal temperature increased significantly. The acoustic rhinometric results showed a significant increase of the volumes and the cross-sectional areas. There was no change in nasal airflow.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nasal mucosal temperature, humidity of inhaled air, and volume of the anterior nose increased after application of a cold face mask. The response is mediated by the trigeminal nerve. Increased mucosal temperatures as well as changes in nasal geometries seem to guarantee sufficient steady intranasal nasal air conditioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lindemann
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koehl
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Walz
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sommer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008397:Masks; D008875:Middle Aged; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000502:physiology*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D023842:Rhinometry, Acoustic