Runny Nose Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Options
- A runny nose is a condition that occurs when there is excess mucus production in the nasal passages.
- Stress, irritants, allergens, and viral infections can cause it.
- Home remedies, OTC medicines, and lifestyle changes are combined to treat a runny nose.
- If you have a runny nose, there is nothing to worry about; however, if it lasts more than ten days, you must consult your doctor.
Many people in Europe suffer from a runny nose as the weather changes, winters start, and flu season kicks in.
Millions of people in Europe are affected by the flu each year. There could be many reasons for developing the flu, but mostly, it results from cold weather.
A runny nose is a temporary condition that can be managed easily if you know how to alleviate your symptoms to avoid long-term irritation.
In this article, we will discuss how to develop a runny nose, what treatment options are there, and what strategies you can use to avoid getting infections repeatedly.
Runny Nose Causes And How Mucus Builds Up
Rhinorrhea, commonly known as a runny nose, is a prevalent condition that can cause annoyance and discomfort.
It results due to the excessive production of mucus and fluid by the tissues present in the nasal passages. It can occur due to many reasons:
- Exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke, strong odours, or pollution
- Viral infections like the common cold or flu
- Spicy foods
- Allergic reactions
- Hormonal changes
- Emotional stress
- Weather changes
When the lining of the nasal passages becomes irritated, it triggers the expansion of blood vessels and excessive mucus production.
This is the body's natural response to remove irritants and protect against germs.
Runny Nose Causes And Best Treatment Options
|
Cause |
Common Signs |
What May Help |
|---|---|---|
|
Common cold or flu |
Sneezing, sore throat, watery mucus |
Fluids, rest, saline spray |
|
Allergies |
Itchy eyes, repeated sneezing |
Antihistamines, trigger avoidance |
|
Irritants |
Symptoms after smoke or pollution exposure |
Fresh air, avoiding irritants |
|
Dry air |
Nasal irritation, dryness |
Humidifier, hydration |
|
Sinus infection |
Facial pain, thick discharge |
Medical review if persistent |
What Is The Difference Between A Runny And Stuffy Nose?
A runny nose happens when your body produces too much mucus, resulting in a watery discharge.
On the other hand, a stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, occurs when the tissues and blood vessels in your nasal passages swell up, causing blockage.
While a runny nose involves a constant flow of mucus, a stuffy nose feels like there's a blockage, which can make it challenging to breathe.
How To Stop A Runny Nose With Home Remedies
Let's explore the different ways to treat a runny nose, which can vary depending on what's causing it.
Home Remedies
You can often manage a runny nose using a mix of home remedies and medications. Here are some common home treatments for dealing with a runny nose
- Staying Hydrated: Keeping yourself well-hydrated by drinking lots of liquids such as water, herbal teas, and clear soups can help thin out the mucus and facilitate its removal from the body. This, in turn, reduces the amount of excess mucus in your nasal passages.
- Using A Warm Compress: You can ease sinus pressure and relieve discomfort by applying a warm compress, such as a cloth or towel, to your forehead and nose.
- Steam Inhalation: Breathing in the steam from a hot shower or a bowl of water can assist in loosening mucus, aiding the body in its natural process of expelling any excess mucus and clearing the airways.
- Doing A Salt Water Rinse: Utilising a saline nasal spray or a neti pot can assist in flushing out mucus, aiding in removing excess mucus and providing relief from a runny nose.
- Drinking Honey And Lemon Water: Combining honey and lemon in warm water can make a comforting hot beverage that can decrease inflammation and mucus production. It can also help ease any discomfort or soreness in the throat due to post-nasal drip.
Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medicine For A Runny Nose
While you can typically manage a runny nose with home remedies, your doctor might suggest over-the-counter (OTC) solutions to provide quicker relief. These OTC options can include:
- Antihistamines: These medicines block histamine, a molecule generated by the body in response to allergies as a part of the immune response.
- Decongestant Sprays: These sprays offer speedy relief through their ability to constrict blood vessels in your nasal passages, reducing irritation and producing excess mucus.
- Nasal Steroid Sprays: These sprays can help manage nasal congestion by reducing inflammation, which controls excess mucus and dries it up. Typically, these sprays are used alongside antihistamines for better results.
In cases of a severe and prolonged runny nose lasting beyond ten days, your doctor may recommend antibiotics to help ease your discomfort.
Lifestyle Changes To Help Prevent A Runny Nose
Apart from using home remedies and over-the-counter treatments, you can also control a runny nose by incorporating specific lifestyle changes. These may involve:
- Preventing Triggers: One of the most effective remedies for a runny nose is avoiding known allergens, smoke, and pollutants as much as possible.
- Using A Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can prevent irritation in the lining of your nasal passages.
- Keeping Things Clean: Regularly tidying up your living space can reduce exposure to allergens like dust and pet dander.
- Maintaining A Healthy Lifestyle: Eating well and exercising will boost your immunity and reduce your chances of catching viral infections such as colds and the flu.
- Getting Adequate Sleep: Getting enough rest will also help you to maintain a healthy immune system and reduce stress, which can worsen a runny nose.
Surgery For Chronic Runny Nose And Nasal Problems
While it's not common, surgical procedures can be considered as a treatment for a runny nose, but they are typically reserved for specific cases:
- Those who suffer from chronic sinus infections haven't responded to medical treatment.
- Cases of nasal polyps are non-cancerous growths in the nasal lining that are either large or resistant to treatment.
- People with a deviated septum who experience ongoing nasal obstruction.
- People with enlarged bones in their nasal passages may undergo a turbinate reduction procedure to alleviate discomfort.
- Occasionally, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks into the nasal passages due to leaks around the brain.
It's essential to understand that surgical interventions are usually considered a last resort and are not a common approach for treating a runny nose.
If you have concerns about your symptoms or think that surgery might be necessary, it's essential to consult with your doctor to explore your options.
How Long Does A Runny Nose Last?
How long a runny nose persists usually depends on what's causing it. If it's due to a viral infection like a cold or the flu, it can stick around for about 10 to 14 days.
On the other hand, if your runny nose results from allergies, it tends to last as long as you're in contact with the allergen.
If you've been dealing with a runny nose for over three weeks without any known allergen exposure, it's advisable to consult your doctor.
How To Prevent A Runny Nose From Coming Back
Preventing a runny nose is possible to some extent, although it may not be entirely avoidable in all cases. Making certain lifestyle adjustments can often help reduce the likelihood of getting a runny nose, including:
- To reduce the risk of getting or spreading infections, it's essential to wash your hands frequently.
- Regularly using a saline solution to cleanse your nasal passages can help remove irritants.
- Another critical step is avoiding household and environmental pollutants that may cause nasal irritation.
- It is essential to manage Indoor allergens.
- Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet, like ginger and turmeric.
- Avoid foods high in histamines, like aged cheeses, processed meats, and fermented foods, to prevent an unnecessary immune response.
- Being aware of weather changes that might worsen runny nose symptoms, such as windy or colder conditions.
- Wearing masks during allergy seasons or in areas with high pollution.
- Keeping up to date with vaccinations.
If you have specific concerns or unique circumstances, discussing them with your doctor is a good idea. They can provide personalised recommendations to help you prevent a runny nose more effectively.
When To See A Doctor For A Runny Nose
Usually, a runny nose is not much of a concern, but there could be some instances when you need immediate medical attention like:
- Developing A Rash
- If the symptoms last for more than ten days.
- Difficulty in breathing.
- Yellow or Green Nasal discharge.
- Fever and Pain.
- Vision Changes.
- Wheezing
It's also important to contact a healthcare professional if you have an underlying health condition like asthma, an immune system disorder, and a runny nose.
Your doctor can provide guidance and treatment options to relieve your symptoms and prevent potential complications.
If you suffer from a runny nose and want medical help, contact Mobi Doctor. You can get a consultation with a doctor online from the comfort of your home and manage your runny nose easily.
