Nasal sebum

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Nasal sebum Nasal sebum.jpg
Nasal sebum

Nasal sebum, also known as nose grease/oil, is grease removed from the surface of the human nose. The pores of the lateral creases (where the nose joins the face) of the exterior of the nose create and store more oil and grease than pores elsewhere on the human body, forming a readily available source of small quantities of grease or oil.

Contents

Sebum chemical composition

Sebum is produced by sebaceous glands from the skin. Sebum has a complex composition that is different from epidermal lipids found anywhere in the human body, for example, squalene and wax esters are only found in sebum. Triglycerides and fatty acids, taken together, account for the predominant proportion (57.5%), followed by wax esters (26%) and squalene (12%). The least abundant lipid in sebum is cholesterol, which with its esters, accounts for the 4.5% of total lipids. [1]

Other uses of sebum

Nose grease has been reported to be a convenient durable lubricant. Nose grease can be used to minimize scratches in optical surfaces, for example when cleaning photographic negatives. [2] Observatory lore holds that nose grease was used to reduce stray light and reflections in transmissive telescopes before the development of vacuum antireflective coatings. [3] The antireflective properties are due in part to the fact that the nose oil fills small cracks and scratches and forms a smooth, polished surface, and in part to the low index of refraction of the oil, which can reduce surface reflection from transmissive optics that have a high index of refraction. The same effect is sometimes used by numismatic hobbyists to alter the apparent grade of slightly worn coins. [4]

Nose grease is often recommended as a lubricant for fly fishing rod ferrules. [5] [6]

Nose grease has mild antifoaming properties and can be used to break down a high head on freshly poured beer or soft drinks. Wiping nose grease onto one's finger and then touching or stirring the foam causes it to dissipate rapidly. [7]

The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies suggests using nasal sebum as a remedy for chapped lips. [8]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exocrine gland</span> Gland that secretes substances onto an epithelial surface by way of a duct

Exocrine glands are glands that secrete substances onto an epithelial surface by way of a duct. Examples of exocrine glands include sweat, salivary, mammary, ceruminous, lacrimal, sebaceous, prostate and mucous. Exocrine glands are one of two types of glands in the human body, the other being endocrine glands, which secrete their products directly into the bloodstream. The liver and pancreas are both exocrine and endocrine glands; they are exocrine glands because they secrete products—bile and pancreatic juice—into the gastrointestinal tract through a series of ducts, and endocrine because they secrete other substances directly into the bloodstream. Exocrine sweat glands are part of the integumentary system; they have eccrine and apocrine types.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lanolin</span> Yellow waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals

Lanolin, also called wool fat, wool yolk, wool wax, sheep grease, or wool grease, is a wax secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep breeds that are raised specifically for their wool. Historically, many pharmacopoeias have referred to lanolin as wool fat ; however, as lanolin lacks glycerides, it is not a true fat. Lanolin primarily consists of sterol esters instead. Lanolin's waterproofing property aids sheep in shedding water from their coats. Certain breeds of sheep produce large amounts of lanolin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earwax</span> Waxy substance secreted by the ear

Earwax, also known by the medical term cerumen, is a waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of humans and other mammals. Earwax can be many colors, including brown, orange, red, yellowish, and gray. Earwax protects the skin of the human ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and provides protection against bacteria, fungi, particulate matter, and water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vernix caseosa</span> Waxy white substance found coating the skin of newborn human babies

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sebaceous gland</span> Gland to lubricate the hair and skin

A sebaceous gland or oil gland is a microscopic exocrine gland in the skin that opens into a hair follicle to secrete an oily or waxy matter, called sebum, which lubricates the hair and skin of mammals. In humans, sebaceous glands occur in the greatest number on the face and scalp, but also on all parts of the skin except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In the eyelids, meibomian glands, also called tarsal glands, are a type of sebaceous gland that secrete a special type of sebum into tears. Surrounding the female nipple, areolar glands are specialized sebaceous glands for lubricating the nipple. Fordyce spots are benign, visible, sebaceous glands found usually on the lips, gums and inner cheeks, and genitals.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sebacic acid</span> Chemical compound

Sebacic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula HO2C(CH2)8CO2H. It is a white flake or powdered solid. Sebaceus is Latin for tallow candle, sebum is Latin for tallow, and refers to its use in the manufacture of candles. Sebacic acid is a derivative of castor oil.

The term cleanser refers to a product that cleans or removes dirt or other substances. A cleanser could be a detergent, and there are many types of cleansers that are produced with a specific objective or focus. For instance, a degreaser or carburetor cleanser used in automotive mechanics for cleaning certain engine and car parts.

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Hair care or haircare is an overall term for hygiene and cosmetology involving the hair which grows from the human scalp, and to a lesser extent facial, pubic and other body hair. Hair care routines differ according to an individual's culture and the physical characteristics of one's hair. Hair may be colored, trimmed, shaved, plucked or otherwise removed with treatments such as waxing, sugaring and threading. Hair care services are offered in salons, barbershops and day spas, and products are available commercially for home use. Laser hair removal and electrolysis are also available, though these are provided by licensed professionals in medical offices or speciality spas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jojoba oil</span> Oil extracted from jojoba seeds

Jojoba oil is the liquid produced in the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) plant, a shrub, which is native to southern Arizona, southern California, and northwestern Mexico. The oil makes up approximately 50% of the jojoba seed by weight. The terms "jojoba oil" and "jojoba wax" are often used interchangeably because the wax visually appears to be a mobile oil, but as a wax it is composed almost entirely (~97%) of mono-esters of long-chain fatty acids (wax ester) and alcohols, accompanied by only a tiny fraction of triglyceride esters. This composition accounts for its extreme shelf-life stability and extraordinary resistance to high temperatures, compared with true vegetable oils.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uropygial gland</span> Gland

The uropygial gland, informally known as the preen gland or the oil gland, is a bilobed sebaceous gland possessed by the majority of birds used to distribute the gland's oil through the plumage by means of preening. It is located dorsally at the base of the tail and is greatly variable in both shape and size. In some species, the opening of the gland has a small tuft of feathers to provide a wick for the preen oil. It is a holocrine gland enclosed in a connective tissue capsule made up of glandular acini that deposit their oil secretion into a common collector tube ending in a variable number of pores (openings), most typically two. Each lobe has a central cavity that collects the secretion from tubules arranged radially around the cavity. The gland secretion is conveyed to the surface via ducts that, in most species, open at the top of a papilla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby shampoo</span> Personal care product

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pimple</span> Type of comedo

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Squalane is the organic compound with the formula ( 2CH 3CH 33CH 2)2. A colorless hydrocarbon, it is the hydrogenated derivative of squalene, although commercial samples are derived from nature. In contrast to squalene, due to the complete saturation of squalane, it is not subject to auto-oxidation. This fact, coupled with its lower costs and desirable physical properties, led to its use as an emollient and moisturizer in cosmetics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skin secretions</span>

Skin secretions are those substances and materials that are secreted by the skin and the external mucous membranes. Some skin secretions are associated with body hair.

References

  1. Picardo, Mauro; Ottaviani, Monica; Camera, Emanuela; Mastrofrancesco, Arianna (2009). "Sebaceous gland lipids". Dermatoendocrinol. 1 (2): 68–71. doi:10.4161/derm.1.2.8472. PMC   2835893 . PMID   20224686.
  2. photonotes.org
  3. Zirin, Harold. Astrophysics of the Sun, Cambridge University Press (1988), p. 34
  4. pcgs.com
  5. McNally, Tom (1997). The complete Book Of Fly Fishing. P 20: McGraw-Hill. ISBN   9780070456389.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  6. Hartley, J.R.; Russell, Michael (1992). Fly Fishing, Memories of Angling Days, by J.R. Hartley. London: Stanley Paul. ISBN   9780091751920.
  7. Bernstein, Joshua M. "Why Does Nose Grease Tame Beer Foam?" CHOW, April 3, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2014. Archived November 29, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  8. Tkac, Deborah (1990). The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies: Thousands of Tips and Techniques Anyone Can Use to Heal Everyday Health Problems (Hardcover). Rodale. p. 134. ISBN   0-87857-873-0.