How to quickly cure a runny nose

There can be a dozen reasons for a runny nose: from acute respiratory viral infections and other infections to seasonal allergies, hormonal changes or sudden temperature changes.

How long does a runny nose last?

Duration of runny nose depends from the main reason. A common cold goes away on its own in 10–14 days. But with allergies, everything is more complicated: the nose will run as long as the person is exposed to the irritant.

But in any case, if a runny nose persists for more than three weeks, you should consult a doctor.

When to go to the doctor as soon as possible

Immediately go see a therapist if:

• A runny or stuffy nose lasts more than three weeks or is accompanied by a fever.
• Discharge comes out of one nostril, has a strong and unpleasant smell, or contains blood.
• You find it difficult to breathe.
• You have swelling on your forehead, eyes, nose or cheeks.
• You feel like your vision is blurred.
• You have nasal discharge after a head injury, especially if it is clear and watery.

How to get rid of a runny nose

Let’s say right away: a runny nose is not a disease, but only a symptom. Therefore, if you want to get rid of it, you need to fight the cause. This will take some time. In the meantime, you can try ways to help alleviate the condition.

1. Rinse your nose with saline solution

This will help mechanically remove excess mucus and feel better.

You can buy a saline solution at a pharmacy or prepare it yourself. The recipe is simple: add ½ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of soda to a glass (240 ml) of warm water. Rinse your nose with this solution 3-4 times a day until the unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.

2. Try sprays or drops

They eliminate swelling and slow down the formation of new snot. The result is almost immediate: the nose breathes again and does not drip from it.

Look for products with such active substances:

• levomethamphetamine or phenylephrine – enough for 3-4 hours,
• xylometazoline and oxymetazoline – the effect lasts 8–23 hours.

But it is important to remember that these drugs should not be used longer than the period indicated on the package – usually about three days. Otherwise, addiction may occur, and it will be difficult to “get off” the drops.

Sprays and drops also have side effects. These include insomnia, irritability, dizziness and headache, excitability, nervousness and tremor.

Pregnant and lactating women before use levomethamphetamine, phenylephrine And oxymetazoline you should consult your doctor, and xylometazoline should be abandoned altogether.

3. Apply a warm compress to your nose

Moisten Place the cloth in hot but not scalding water over your nose and eyes and leave for 15 minutes. This will help liquefy mucus and speed up its outflow.

4. Rest

For most people, a runny nose is not a reason to take sick leave. But if it is accompanied by a cold and a general deterioration in health, it is advisable reduce activity.

The ideal option is to spend a couple of days at home, under a warm blanket, sipping on a hot drink. In this case, all the body’s forces will be aimed at fighting the infection, and along with the cold, you will also get rid of rhinitis.

5. Avoid allergens

The obvious advice is suitable for those who suffer from allergic rhinitis. It is worth avoiding all irritants, and not just one strongest one – only in this case result will be noticeable.

6. Take an antihistamine

This method is also for those who suffer from allergies. Facilities block the release of histamine, a substance that is responsible for the reaction and causes itching, swelling of the nose, runny nose and sneezing.

Better choose second generation antihistamines because they do not cause drowsiness. Search facilities based on azelastine, cetirizine, desloratadine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine, olopatadine.

Side effects may include cough, fatigue, headache, nausea, sore throat or stomach pain. Drowsiness may also occur, but only in rare cases.

Pregnant women are advised choose first generation products based on chlorpheniramine and dexchlorpheniramine. But if sleepiness is a problem, you can try newer drugs with loratadine or cetirizine.

7. Go to the doctor

Even if it is clear that your nose is blocked due to a cold or allergies, it is worth going to a therapist. He will tell you what else you can do to relieve symptoms and how to get rid of nasal congestion faster. To do this, the doctor can offer:

• drops or sprays with glucocorticoids that reduce inflammation;
• products containing ipratropium bromide to reduce swelling and mucus production;
• decongestant tablets and sprays that reduce inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages;
• mucolytics, thinning mucus and improving its elimination.

For people with allergies, the doctor will help you choose the right antihistamines, which we wrote about above, and calculate a safe dosage.

8. Use a humidifier

This will help fight mucus clots, which can be aggravated by dry indoor air.

9. Drink as much as possible

Try hot but not scalding tea. There is an opinion that heat and steam strengthen blood circulation in the nasopharynx, due to which the runny nose recedes. True, you should not expect a stunning effect. A study on the benefits of a hot drink for colds and flu involved only 30 people. Therefore, no one can guarantee that your symptoms of the disease will subside after a cup of tea.

For those who feel nauseous, nutritious drinks are suitable. For example, chicken broth, herbal tea and warm water with honey and lemon.

You should also drink plain water. She helps liquefy mucus and develop lymph, which carries leukocytes throughout the body.

10. Do inhalations

Experts from the medical resource UpToDate believe that inhaling warm steam can temporarily decrease symptoms of nasal congestion. But at the same time, experts note: there is no significant evidence of the effectiveness of inhalations.

If you decide to try this method, be careful: too hot steam will cause burns. Procedure Can do 2-4 times a day. Instructions like this:

1. Pour some clean boiled water into a bowl or pan. It should not be boiling or very hot – just enough steam above it.
2. Place a container of water on a table or other convenient horizontal surface.
3. Bend over a bowl or pan and cover your head with a towel. Hold your face over the water for 10–15 minutes, pulling away if the steam gets too hot.
4. Take a deep breath through your nose. Exhale through your nose. Try to exhale forcefully to get rid of mucus.

You can also breathe the steam over the shower in your bathroom. The main thing is that there is no mold there. Plus it’s safe option inhalations for children. But it’s better not to leave him alone.

11. For men: have sex

Of course, if you want it yourself and know that you won’t infect your partner. It is believed that ejaculation may indirectly relieve nasal congestion. The fact is that during arousal, a person’s parasympathetic nervous system is triggered – the one that is responsible for the “fight and flight” reaction, this provokes the release of adrenaline and constriction of blood vessels throughout the body.

Scientists suggestthat since there are a lot of these vessels in the nose, it means that during sex or masturbation the inflammation will subside and it will become easier to breathe.

But there are several nuances. No one gives guarantees that the method will work. The effect can only appear if you are not lying on your back during the process. And after the congestion goes away, snot may flow – sometimes this happens right during sex.

How not to treat a runny nose

The most important thing is not to take antibiotics or antiviral drugs without a doctor’s prescription. Firstly, you may not need these funds. And secondly, even if a runny nose is caused by an infection, it is not a fact that you will choose the right remedy. There will be no benefit, but side effects may appear.

Folk remedies won’t help either:

• clove garlic, which is sometimes inserted directly into the nostril, is ineffective but can cause irritation and inflammation. Or just get stuck.
• Peppermint essential oil, when used as drops, can bring to a chemical burn.
• Onion lotions and putting the husks in your socks don’t work. Although you can still eat onions, they are… fights with bacteria, helps digestion and strengthens bones.
• Apple Cider Vinegar for Throat and Sinuses will not reduce swelling, but will only lead to burns.

What else can be done for those who suffer from a runny nose?

These tips will not help speed up recovery, but they will help you get through a runny nose a little more comfortably:

• Blow your nose into disposable tissues – or better yet, into water. This way you will rub your facial skin less.
• Apply moisturizer to the skin around your nose.
• Do not sneeze into yourself – this can lead to headaches and increased intracranial pressure.