Brushing your teeth comes naturally. But how many of us care for our noses?

Ear, nose and throat specialists warn that with the arrival of winter, nasal hygiene is important for people suffering nasal congestion, dryness and nosebleeds.

"A little bit of dryness can lead to a fair amount of discomfort and pain, especially in winter," says Greenwich Hospital ENT physician Steven Feldman.

Sinus infections and recurrent nosebleeds might become issues. He has known people afraid to venture out, fearing a nosebleed in public.

Allergies, which cause swollen mucus membranes, are also a frequent source of trouble, notes ENT specialist Andrew Parker, who is affiliated with Norwalk Hospital in Connecticut.

"When you have allergies, your nose is truly a filter, trapping all of the little particles that cause your allergies," he says. "If you don't rinse them out, those little particles stay in there, and the filter can cause problems because the allergens are trapped in there."

Reason enough for ENT doctors to promote sound nasal health practices, including nasal cleansing with saline sprays or cleansing agents and moisturizing nasal passages with a gel such as AYR, which soothes congested or dry, crusty noses.

Moisturizing the air with a humidifier is also recommended, provided the device is kept clean to prevent growth of dust mites and mold that develop within the moist unit.

The respiratory tract generally enjoys a moist environment, says ENT specialist Jason Klenoff, based at Stamford, Conn.' s Tully Health Center. "Irrigating the nose is a way to rinse it out and clear out some of the secretions, keeping it moist."