Why Water Stings When It Gets Up Your Nose

SciShow Kids

In this episode of SciShow Kids, host Jessi and her robot friend Squeaks explore the biological reasons why getting pool water up your nose causes a stinging sensation. Sparked by Jessi's hesitation to go swimming after a painful cannonball mishap, the video breaks down two primary scientific causes: the temperature difference between cold pool water and the warm nasal cavity, and the chemical difference between fresh water and the salty water inside human cells. The video uses clear, kid-friendly animations to explain complex biological concepts like osmosis (without using the complex term) and the body's defensive reactions. It explains how the nose tries to absorb fresh water to balance salt levels, causing swelling and pain, and how the body produces extra mucus and tears to flush out irritants. It also clarifies why nasal sprays—which are warm and salty—don't cause the same pain. This resource is an excellent tool for early elementary science classrooms to teach about the human body, senses, and basic chemistry concepts like solutions. It also models a positive social-emotional strategy for dealing with anxiety: using learning and knowledge to make scary situations feel more manageable. The video concludes with a practical tip for swimmers to prevent water from entering their noses.