Theallergic salute (sometimes called thenasal salute) is the characteristic and sometimes habitualgesture of wiping and/or rubbing thenose in an upwards ortransverse manner with thefingers, palm, or back of thehand. It is termed asalute because the upward movement of the hand acts as an unintentional gesture.[1] The habit of using the hand to wipe the nose is observed more often inchildren but is common inadults as well.[2][3] Saluting most commonly temporarily relieves nasal itching as well as removing small amounts ofnasal mucus.[4]
In people who are experiencingseizures, nose wiping has been observed as a semi-voluntary action.[5]
The upwards wiping of the nose and nostrils allows for runningmucus 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 asallergic rhinitis.[6]
The mucus that is wiped onto the hand will most likely carrybacteria and other germs which could then in turn be passed along to other people.[7] Habitual as well as fast or rough saluting may also result in a crease (known as atransverse nasal crease or groove) running across the nose, and can lead to permanent physical deformity observable in childhood and adulthood.[8][9]