There are many unpleasant aspects of the cold winter season, and chief among them is the havoc it can wreak on sinuses. Even those who are not allergy-prone or actively sick can find themselves with never-ending nasal and sinus discomfort.

Dr. Navya Mysore, a primary care provider at One Medical in Brooklyn, told HuffPost that when our nose is exposed to cold and dry air, the lining becomes irritated and inflamed, producing mucus that can result in nasal congestion. That excessive mucus drips into the back of the throat and irritates it, causing a post-nasal drip cough. As if that weren't enough, she noted, "excess mucus can also obstruct the sinuses and when it becomes trapped this encourages bacteria to grow. If it hangs out for a long time, the increased amount of bacteria can cause a sinus infection."