Runny Nose Treatment

Tap to Read ➤ Kalpana Kumari

A runny nose is an irritating condition to endure. However, we may not be able to budge from the fact that each one of us, at some point, has had and will have a runny nose. Here are some treatment measures to fight this health issue.

Medically referred to as rhinorrhea, a runny nose is not really a cause of serious concern. The problem is quite common during winter. Since the mucus that lines the nasal passages tend to dry out during this patch of the year, the mucous membranes produce excess of it. In most cases, a runny nose is caused by allergies and infections.

Remedies to Manage Runny Nose

✔ Steam inhalation, certainly is an effective remedy for runny nose. Breathe in steam from a pot of boiling water. You can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water. Inhaling steam, definitely would help in thinning the mucus and clear out the mucus buildup.

✔ For a persistent runny nose, you must try nasal irrigation. All you need to do is add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Tilt your head, and instill a few drops of this saline solution in each nostril using a clean eyedropper. Breathe in deeply so that the solution can rinse or irrigate the nasal passages.

✔ You should also keep yourself hydrated at all times. Avoid drinking alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. These have a dehydrating effect on the membranes. During such times, it is best to drink nothing else, but water. This, certainly would help in thinning the mucus.

✔ You may also take to consuming herbal tea.

✔ Add a teaspoon each of elderberry, mint, yarrow root, and cayenne pepper to water. Once it boils, turn off the flame, and let it steep for some time. Strain the concoction, and let it cool. Drink it twice a day. It may, at first, make your nose run with greater intensity, but the problem should resolve soon.

✔ Chew a small piece of ginger, and swallow the juice. Ginger warms the body, increases blood circulation, and helps in draining the nose.

✔ Foods that have a hint of spice may well be termed rescue en route. Acting as a decongestant, it helps to lighten the chest and clear the mucus buildup. However, if your GI tract has acted up in the past due to spice, kindly ignore this suggestion.

✔ Plop a pinch of turmeric in a glass of piping hot milk. Add sugar to taste, and a few threads of saffron (optional) to up the flavor. Turmeric is known to possess healing properties, thereby helping the buildup to ease out.

✔ Take to exercising. The popular "adrenaline rush" leads to constriction of blood vessels that have suffered inflammation. Without doubt, blood vessels that have occluded the nose would normalize leading to drainage of the mucus.

✔ Lady's-finger (okra) may be prepared to treat rhinorrhea. It consists of mucilage that alleviates the condition. All you need is 3 cups of boiling water and 100 - 150 gm of lady's-finger (chopped).

✔ Add okra to boiling water, and let it stay for 7 to 10 minutes. It may not sound very appetizing, but it does make a lot of difference to your congestion levels. Consuming it twice till you get rid of this moratorium would be ideal.

✔ Juice a lime or two; it must come up to two tablespoons, and add it to a glass of warm water. Citric acid works extremely well to relieve the buildup. Consume this concoction twice daily, till the mucus gives up on you.

✔ Take 400 mg of Indian Echinacea three times a day. It is one of the very effective treatments to combat the problem.

✔ Take 1 oz. of fresh watercress thrice a day for treating a runny nose. You can also mix 3 to 4 teaspoons of dry watercress to one glass of warm water. Allow it to cool; then drink.

Possible Medications

Antihistamines Mild steroid spray Zinc Glucocorticoids Antibiotics Decongestant spray Sometimes, a runny nose may also result from a nasal injury, or nasal polyps. In such cases, surgical treatment measures may be followed.

If you suffer from runny nose every now and then, do follow the aforementioned remedies. Don't blow your nose hard while trying to clear the thin nasal mucous secretions. Make sure that you carry a handkerchief, or a pack of tissues with you.

Excessive mucus buildup can lead to sleeping disorders, ear, or sinus infections. If over-the-counter drugs and home remedies are not providing the desired results, do visit a doctor for necessary medical intervention.

Disclaimer : The recommendations mentioned hereby may not be generically applicable. The information, by no means, intends to supplant the diagnosis and advice imparted by the medical practitioner.