A runny nose is a very common and annoying problem. It occurs when there is increased mucus in the sinus and nasal passages. The increased mucus production is the body’s way of flushing cold or flu viruses, irritants and allergens out of the body. Some of the most common causes of a runny nose are the common cold, an allergic reaction, a sinus infection and a sudden change in weather. If not treated timely, it can lead to coughing, earaches, headaches and other problems. There are many over-the-counter medicines for a runny nose, but they often have unpleasant side effects like drowsiness. Many simple home remedies can give you instant relief and decrease the intensity of your symptoms, without any side effects.
Read this article to learn how to treat a temporary runny nose. If you are experiencing other symptoms in addition to your runny nose, like a fever, cough, and or sore throat, or if you have a chronically runny nose, then see your doctor to treat the underlying medical cause.
Contents
- The first method. Medications
- The second method. Pressure and massage
- The third method. Salt water
- The fourth method. Steaming
- The fifth method. Drink enough fluids
- The sixth method. Keep a tissue by hand
- The seventh method. Mustard oil
- The eighth method. Ginger
- The ninth method. Garlic
- The tenth method. Essential oils
- The eleventh method. Honey
- The twelfth method. Pepper
- The thirteenth method. Why your nose is runny
- Video
The first method. Medications
Probably, this method is the simplest one. You can find a lot of different medications in a drug store, which can stop a runny nose. However, you have to know some things. Firstly, these medications may cause different after-effects, so it is necessary to read the instructions through very carefully. Secondly, these medications must not be overdosed (like any others), so they cannot be consumed for the whole day. The time to use them is when you have no time for other remedies.
Here are the most common medications for runny nose:
- Oral decongestants. Firstly the treatment started with syrup, oral pills and pseudoephedrine such as Dristan, Sudafed congestion and Sinutab). There are some side effects of these medications therefore use them on doctor’s prescription.
- Nasal spray decongestants. Nasal sprays are used to unblock the nasal passage. Phenylephrine and oxymetazoline medications are usually prescribed.
- Diphenhydramine. Further your doctor may prescribe diphenhydramine and Antihistamines to heal the running nose problem.
The second method. Pressure and massage
Press down ten times on the corner of your nose, pressure very gently to keep your nose from getting worse. It is believed that this pressure point can help alleviate sinus congestion and headaches that result from colds and allergies.
Your nose should be almost closed each time you apply pressure to the area. Repeat on the area just above your eyes, applying mild pressure. Repeat ten times on each side of your face. You can also gently massage your earlobes for about ten seconds. Apply the massage for both sides.
The third method. Salt water
Salt water is the best home remedy for alleviating the irritation that accompanies a runny nose. Salt water will help thin the mucus, making it easier and more comfortable to expel.
It will also help clear the nasal passages of irritants.
- Mix one-half teaspoon of table salt in two cups of distilled warm water.
- Using a dropper, put a few drops of the solution into each nostril with your head tilted back.
- Inhale very gently to draw the solution further into your nasal passages. Then blow your nose to remove excess mucus and solution.
- Do this a few times at a sitting until you feel relief.
- Repeat a couple of times each day until your condition improves.
The fourth method. Steaming
Steam is also an effective home remedy for a runny nose.
It helps clear out excess mucus that causes a runny nose and sneezing:
- Hold your face over a bowl of hot water, with a towel over your head to trap the steam. Breathe in the steam for about ten minutes, and then blow your nose. Do this three or four times a day.
- You can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil or menthol to the hot water before breathing in the steam.
- Alternatively, you can take a hot shower or bath.
Be careful when you use steam. Do not hold your face too close to the source of steam, as you can get burns.
The fifth method. Drink enough fluids
Fluids help to hydrate your body from all kinds of germs. That is why; drinking a lot of fluid will help your body to fight against harmful bacteria’s.
You should take the following fluids whenever you have runny nose:
- First solution is to drink a lot of hot water. This will help to break the congestion.
- You can also drink hot herbal tea or beverages.
- I have learned about many hot fluids. My grandmother told me to take a glass of hot water and add with it 1/5 of the lime juice and a pinch of salt. This fluid helps to loosen the mucus. It also gives you a quick relief from the runny nose.
- Another method is to take half glass of hot water and add two tablespoons of honey and 1tsp of lime juice. Drink this solution twice a day. This will give you a quick relief from runny nose and sore throat.
- You can also take soup. This is one of the best fluids in this situation. Whenever you are having hot drinks or water try to inhale the steam. This will free your nasal congestion or sinuses.
The sixth method. Keep a tissue by hand
This method is very good for those who cannot stay at home for the whole day. Runny nose happens due to the large amount of fluid and mucus buildup in throat and nose. Blowing nose works best to treat this condition. Gently blow the nose by using a tissue so that excess fluid comes out. Avoid blowing nose too often as it can cause redness and skin burning problems.
You can also follow this recipe of special plugs for stopping a runny nose:
- Grab a tissue. Rip it in half.
- Roll the piece into a tiny ball. It should be about the size of your nostril.
- Gently place the tissue inside your nostril. Repeat on the other side, using the other half of the tissue.
- Relax and breathe normally. The tissue will help absorb some of the fluid coming out of your nose without you having to constantly blow. Breathe through your mouth if you are having issues getting enough air. Do not push the tissue balls too deep into your nose, as it may happen that a doctor will have to pull them out.
The seventh method. Mustard oil
Mustard oil has antibiotic, antiviral and antihistamine properties that can provide instant relief from various symptoms of a runny nose.
First way:
- Heat a small amount of mustard oil until it is slightly warm.
- Using a dropper, put one or two drops of the oil in each nostril. This will help clear up the nasal passages.
- Do this two or three times a day.
Second way:
- Add two to three tablespoons of mustard oil and one tablespoon of caraway seeds to a pot of boiling water.
- Inhale the steam. The strong aroma of mustard oil will warm up the respiratory system, thus providing instant relief from a runny nose.
- Do this twice daily.
The eighth method. Ginger
Ginger has a wide range of antioxidants as well as antiviral, antitoxic, and antifungal properties that help provide quick relief from various symptoms of a runny nose.
- Chewing small prices of raw ginger sprinkled with salt several times a day alleviates a runny nose quickly.
- Among all the herbal teas available ginger tea works best for runny nose.
- To prepare ginger tea, take some fresh ginger slices and boil them in one cup water for five or seven minutes.
- Add cinnamon stick for giving pleasant aroma to your tea.
- Pour this flavored water in a mug.
- Add sugar according to your taste and lemon extracts, stir it and enjoy your ginger tea.
- Boil one teaspoon of ginger powder in two cups of water and inhale the steam.
Ginger can also be taken in the form of lozenges, which are available in the market, to prevent a runny nose.
The ninth method. Garlic
Garlic has strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties that make it a wonderful treatment for a runny nose.
- Prepare garlic soup by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water for several minutes.
- Strain the solution, add some sugar and drink the soup twice a day.
- Chew a small piece of garlic three or four times a day to warm up your body and get relief from a runny nose.
Garlic supplements can also be taken on a regular basis to prevent or reduce the frequency of a runny nose.
The tenth method. Essential oils for runny nose treatment
Eucalyptus oil is a decongestant and can give you instant relief from a runny nose.
- Heat a large bowl of water. Add seven drops of eucalyptus oil and four drops each of lavender oil and peppermint oil to it. cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl to inhale the scented steam. Do this two or three times daily.
- You can also put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief and inhale it throughout the day to reduce your symptoms.
If you don’t have enough eucalyptus oil, you can use peppermint or tea tree oil as well.
The eleventh method. Honey
Honey has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties that help reduce the various symptoms of a runny nose.
Here are different recipes of using honey for runny nose treatment:
- Put two tablespoons of honey in a cup. Add a pinch of cinnamon powder and one-half tablespoon of lemon juice to it. Take this mixture twice daily.
- Mix two teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm water. Drink this twice daily.
- Mix one tablespoon of honey and three or four drops of fresh lemon juice in a glass of warm water. Drink it while it is still warm, twice daily. This remedy can help strengthen your immune system while fighting the runny nose.
The twelfth method. Pepper
Cayenne pepper acts as an antihistamine to clear up nasal congestion as well as help treat a runny nose. cayenne pepper increases nasal discharge so that your body can flush out the blockage and toxins that are causing your runny nose. It also helps increase circulation, which will warm you up.
So, when suffering from runny nose, try to include more cayenne pepper while preparing your foods.
The thirteenth method. Why your nose is runny
First of all, you will have to identify the cause of your runny nose. There are a number of potential causes, including common colds, flus, allergies, cold weather, stress which can be reduced by playing games like 바카라, exposure to tobacco smoke, chickenpox, and whooping cough.
If you are experiencing other symptoms in addition to a runny nose, like a fever or sore throat, then see your doctor to determine whether you have a bacterial or viral infection that requires medical treatment. common colds usually go away on their own, but should be treated with fluids like water and fruit juice, lots of rest, and soothing foods like soup.
Please try to avoid nasal irritants. Runny noses can be caused by allergies to pollen, pets, latex, dust mites, and foods. If you are in constant contact with an animal, plant, or material that you are allergic to, you will probably experience runny noses often. If you live with a pet that you are allergic to, you should consider either getting rid of the pet, moving, or taking allergy medication. Thoroughly clean your home to remove dust mites, and stay away from food and plants that you are allergic to.
Runny noses can also be caused by excessively dry or cold weather. Try using a humidifier to restore some of the moisture in the air in your home.