How to Treat a Runny Nose

Nasal discharge (nasal secretions) is a clear colored mucus that acts as a filter, helping to prevent unwanted airborne particles from entering the body through the nasal passages. Nasal discharge is the body’s natural defense mechanism, however, sometimes the body produces so much nasal secretions that dealing with a runny nose becomes troublesome and seemingly endless. The best way to deal with this is to identify the cause of your runny nose and focus on treating it. Common causes of runny nose are allergies, non-allergic rhinitis, inflammation, and abnormalities in the nasal structure.

Table of Contents

Consult a Doctor

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See your doctor if you have signs of an infection. If you’re having trouble with a runny and stuffy nose, it’s most likely because bacteria have grown and blocked your sinuses, leading to sinusitis. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Signs of sinusitis include sinus pressure, nasal congestion, pain, or headache that persists for more than 7 days.
If you have a fever, you may have a sinus infection.

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Watch for changes in nasal discharge. If the nasal discharge turns pale green or yellow or has an odor, it means bacteria has grown in the sinuses leading to sinusitis.

When the sinuses are blocked due to nasal congestion, nasal secretions and bacteria will be trapped in them. If sinus pressure and nasal congestion are not treated promptly, bacteria will cause sinusitis.
You may also have viral sinusitis if your stuffy nose and sinus pressure are caused by a cold or flu.
Antibiotics won’t work if you have a viral infection. For viral colds or flu, take a supplement with zinc, vitamin C and/or pseudoephedrine (PSE – an active ingredient found in many cold and flu medicines).

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Take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor. If your doctor examines you and concludes you have bacterial sinusitis, he or she may prescribe antibiotics. Remember to take the medicine at the correct dose and time as prescribed. ^{[2] X Trusted Source FamilyDoctor.org Go to Source}

Even if you feel better very quickly after just 1-2 doses, take the full dose as prescribed by your doctor. Failure to take the full dose of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic resistance. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source} In addition, taking the full dose of the medicine can also benefit you as there is a good chance that bacteria remain in your sinuses.
Be careful as there are some doctors who are willing to prescribe antibiotics for you before an accurate test result for the cause of the infection is available. ^{[4] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to the source} You should ask your doctor about the procedure to follow to make sure antibiotic prescribing is appropriate.
If your symptoms do not subside even after you have taken the full dose of the prescribed medication, tell your doctor. You may need to take another dose of antibiotics.
Talk to your doctor about allergy tests or other precautions if you have frequent runny noses.

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Seek medical help if runny nose persists. In some cases, you may experience a persistent runny nose despite various treatments. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If you continue to have rhinitis or persistent runny nose, talk to your doctor.
You’ll likely need a series of tests to determine if you’re allergic to something at home or work.
What’s more, you may have nasal polyps (tumors) or other structural changes in the nasal cavity, making it worse.

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Consult your doctor about structural abnormalities of the nose. The most common abnormality that causes a runny nose is the nasal ppyp. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Nose ppyp grows over time and small ppyp is often difficult to detect and causes no problems.
Larger ppyp can block the passage of air through the sinuses, causing irritation, causing more nasal discharge.
Other abnormalities may be septal deformity or nasopharynx; however, these abnormalities usually do not cause significant nasal discharge.
Injury to the nose or surrounding area can also cause structural abnormalities, and sometimes associated symptoms such as profuse nasal discharge. Notify your doctor if you have recently had lesions in the face or nose area.

Lifestyle Change

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Use a nasal wash . A nasal wash is an instrument shaped like a small teapot. If used correctly, a nasal wash can help push nasal secretions and irritants out of the nose and add moisture to the sinuses. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

A nasal wash will work when you let the water in the bottle (saline or distilled water) flow in one nostril and out the other, helping to remove irritants and germs.
Pour about 100 ml of saline into the jar, then tilt your head into the washbasin and place the spout of the wash basin into the upper nostril.
Pour the water in the bottle into the nostril and let the water drain out the other nostril. Repeat this process with the other nostril.
This is the process of nasal irrigation because you use liquid to clean the nose, remove nasal discharge and irritants that cause the body to produce more nasal secretions. You can use a nasal wash once or twice a day.
Nasal rinses also work to increase humidity and make the sinuses feel more comfortable. You can buy bottles at pharmacies at low cost without a doctor’s prescription. Remember to rinse the jar after each use.

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Make your own saline solution. If you want to make your own nasal wash, use distilled or sterile water. ^{[8] X Research Source} You can also use cooled boiled water, but absolutely do not use water straight from the faucet because it can contain dirt and irritants.

Use about 200 ml of water, 1/4 teaspoon of granular table salt and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Note, do not use ordinary refined salt. Stir well to dissolve the salt and pour the solution into the wash basin.
You can store the reconstituted saline solution for 5 days in a sealed bottle/jar and refrigerate. Before use, remove the solution from the refrigerator and wait until the solution has reached room temperature.

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Apply heat to the face. Hot compresses can help relieve pain caused by sinus pressure, thin the nasal secretions, and make it easier for the nasal secretions to drain out of the sinuses. ^{[9] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Wet a small towel or cloth with hot water, then place the towel over your face where you feel the most pressure.
In general, you can place the towel on the eye area, eyebrows, nose and cheekbones (upper half of the face).
After every few minutes, reheat the towel and continue applying it to your face to relieve pain and pressure.

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Pillow your head high when sleeping. This helps to clear the nasal cavity during the night and prevents nasal discharge from accumulating in the nose. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Get enough rest to keep the body healthy and prevent sinusitis due to excessive secretion of nasal secretions in the nasal sinuses.

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Increase humidity for living space. Dry air can be an irritant, causing a variety of sinus problems such as a runny and stuffy nose. ^{[11] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Humidifiers come in two main types: cold mist and warm, each with many different variations. If you have a dry nose, which leads to discomfort, irritation, and a runny nose, consider using a home humidifier. ^{[12] X Research Source}
Indoor plants also increase the humidity in the air. You can use houseplants as an alternative or supplement to a humidifier.
Other simple ways to temporarily increase humidity include steam rising from boiled water on the stove, opening the bathroom door, running hot water, or drying clothes indoors.

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Use steam. The steam thins the mucus in your chest, nose, and throat, making it easier for you to push the mucus out of your body. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Boil a kettle of water then bring your face close to the warm mouth and breathe in the steam for a few minutes.
Use a towel large enough to cover your head, helping the steam concentrate so you can breathe more.
Alternatively, you can take a hot shower to dilute the runny nose.

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Avoid irritants. Exposure to exposures such as smoke, sudden temperature changes, strong chemical odors, can cause the sinuses to produce more nasal secretions. Sometimes, runny nose will back up into the throat (known as postnasal drip syndrome), irritants can also cause the lungs to secrete mucus called phlegm. You may want to cough to get the phlegm out of your body. ^{[14] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Try to avoid exposure to secondhand smoke, both direct and indirect.
If you’re sure it’s one of the causes of your runny nose, avoid burning trash in your garden or standing against the wind when lighting a campfire.
Other pollutants we breathe in can also cause sinus trouble. Beware of dust, pet dander, yeasts and molds at home and work. Change air filters (in an air conditioner, for example) regularly to reduce indoor irritants.
Exhaust gases, chemicals used at work, and even smog can stimulate nasal secretions like allergens. This phenomenon is called non-allergic rhinitis.

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Protect your sinuses from sudden temperature changes. If your job requires you to work in a cold environment, more nasal secretions will accumulate in the sinuses and drain when you go to a warmer environment. ^{[15] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Take measures to keep your face and nose warm if you have to go out in the cold.
Wear a hat to keep your head warm, and consider using a mask or mask (the kind that covers your face like a ski mask) to keep your face warm.

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Blow your nose properly and gently. However, there are some experts who argue that blowing your nose sometimes does more harm than good. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Blow your nose gently, one at a time.
Blowing your nose too hard can create small holes in your sinuses. If there are already bacteria or unwanted irritants in the nose, blowing your nose will cause these bacteria or substances to go deeper into the sinuses.
Always use a clean tool (tissue or tissue) to blow your nose and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards to avoid spreading bacteria or disease-causing germs.

Use Over-the-Counter Products

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Take an antihistamine. Antihistamines are over-the-counter and work well for allergen-related sinus problems or allergic rhinitis. ^{[17] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Antihistamines work by blocking the body’s response to exposure to an allergen. These reactions cause the body to produce histamine, and antihistamines work to reduce the body’s response to exposure to an allergen or irritant.
Antihistamines work best in patients with seasonal or year-round allergies.
Seasonal allergies are usually caused by substances that plants make in the environment when they bloom and bloom in the spring and fall. Fall allergies are often caused by ragweed.
People with year-round allergies are often allergic to other substances that are unavoidable in their daily environment, be it dust, pet dander, cockroaches, or insects that live in/around the home.
Antihistamines will work. However, for people with severe seasonal or year-round allergies, more aggressive allergy treatments are needed. In that case, see your doctor for more options.

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Use a nasal decongestant. Nasal decongestants come in two forms, oral and spray. Oral decongestants contain ingredients such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine. Common side effects of these products include restlessness, dizziness, feeling of an elevated heart rate, slightly increased blood pressure, and sleep problems. ^{[18] X Trusted Source FamilyDoctor.org Go to Source}

Oral decongestants work by narrowing blood vessels in the nose, causing swollen tissue to contract. This medicine causes nasal secretions to dry out for a short time, but relieves sinus pressure and helps clear your nose, making it easier for you to breathe.
You can buy products that contain pseudoephedrine (often marketed as Sudafed) without a prescription. However, these products are all left behind the pharmacy counter due to concerns about misuse.
Talk to your doctor before using an oral decongestant if you have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure.

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Use a spray. Nasal decongestant sprays or drops are also available without a doctor’s prescription, but should be used with caution. Although these products work to clear the nasal passages and reduce sinus pressure quickly, using them too often (more than 3 times a day) will lead to an adverse reaction. ^{[19] X Trusted Source FamilyDoctor.org Go to Source}

An adverse reaction means that your body will adjust to the medication you are taking, and you will have nasal congestion and sinus pressure or worse if you stop taking it. Therefore, use this medicine no more than 3 times a day to avoid adverse reactions.

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Consider nasal corticosteroids. Corticosteroids for the nose are available in spray form to help reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, reduce nasal discharge and excessive secretion of nasal secretions caused by allergens or irritants. ^{[20] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Nasal corticosteroids are used for the long-term treatment of nasal and sinus problems.

Some medicines do not require a prescription while others require a prescription from a doctor. Fluticasone and triamcinpone are two substances found in medicines that you can buy without a prescription.
People who use corticosteroids for the nose usually feel better after a few days of use. Note: Use the medicine exactly according to the enclosed instructions.

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Salt water spray. Nasal saline spray works to clear and provide moisture to the nasal passages. Use saline spray as directed and be patient. You will probably see results after the first 1-2 sprays but need to continue using for best results. ^{[21] X Trusted Source FamilyDoctor.org Go to Source}

The saline spray works almost like a nasal wash, providing moisture to irritated and damaged sinus tissues and removing unwanted irritants and allergens.
Saline nasal spray works to reduce the flow and secretion of a lot of nasal secretions – the cause of nasal congestion and postnasal drip syndrome.

Apply Natural Treatments

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Drink a lot of water. Drinking water or other liquids will help thin the nasal discharge. If you want to get rid of your stuffy and runny nose right away, drinking plenty of fluids helps to thin the mucus and the runny nose will quickly drain out. Fluids help your body get rid of nasal secretions so you can get back to normal quickly. ^{[22] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Drinking warm water both replenishes the body’s necessary fluids and adds moisture to the nasal passages when you inhale the steam from warm or hot water.
Any warm, hot liquid works well, like coffee, hot tea, or even a bowl of soup.

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Drink a hot toddy. The recipe for a hot toddy requires hot water, a little whiskey or other alcohol, fresh lemon, and a tablespoon of honey. ^{[23] X Research Sources}

There is scientific evidence that a hot cup of toddy is effective in curing nasal congestion, reducing nasal secretions, relieving sinus pressure, sore throat, and other sinus symptoms associated with colds.
Be careful to limit the amount of alcohol used because drinking too much alcohol can make the sinuses swell more, the stuffy nose becomes more severe, and the body produces more nasal secretions. Moreover, you should avoid regularly drinking too much alcohol because it will not be good for your health.
Make a hot, alcohol-free toddy by replacing the alcohol with your favorite tea and still using fresh lemon and honey.

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Drink herbal tea. Besides the effect of adding moisture to the sinuses, herbal tea also has the added effect of reducing the troubles related to the sinuses. ^{[24] X Research Source}

Try putting a few mint leaves in your hot tea. Peppermint contains mint essence that helps relieve sinus pressure, nasal congestion and nasal discharge. You’ll see the best results if you drink herbal tea with some mint while inhaling the steam rising from the tea cup.
Peppermint is often used to support treatment in cases of excessive secretion of nasal secretions or other sinus-related diseases. Peppermint and menthol are also used to relieve coughs and shortness of breath.
Do not drink menthol directly. Do not give mint or mint essence to young children. ^{[25] X Research Sources}
Green tea and green tea products have been shown to contain ingredients that help maintain health and may help treat some sinus symptoms, especially those associated with colds. . Slowly increase the amount of green tea you are drinking to avoid unwanted effects like stomach upset or constipation. ^{[26] X Research Sources}
Green tea contains caffeine and many other active compounds. People with medical history or pregnant women should consult their doctor before using green tea regularly for healing.
Green tea can interact with common medications. Examples include antibiotics, birth control pills, cancer drugs, asthma medications, and stimulants. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor before changing the treatment regimen or diet, especially when such changes are related to herbal preparations.

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Use other herbal products. Always use caution when using herbal products and consult your doctor before starting a treatment regimen that uses herbal products. ^{[27] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

There is some evidence that herbal combinations may be helpful in treating sinus problems. Products to treat sinus problems without a doctor’s prescription often contain many different herbs.
Look for products that contain jasmine, gentian root, elderberry, verbena, and sorrel. This combination of herbs can have side effects such as stomach upset or bowel movements.

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Try ginseng. Research has been conducted on North American ginseng to find out the properties of this plant in the treatment of a number of diseases. This study shows more evidence of ginseng’s effects on nasal and sinus symptoms associated with the common cold. ^{[28] X Research Sources}

Ginseng root is classified as “possibly working” for adults in reducing the frequency, severity, and duration of common cold symptoms. There are no research findings regarding the use of ginseng root for children.
Side effects reported with ginseng root use include: changes in blood pressure, low blood sugar, digestive problems such as bowel movements, itching, and dermatitis, trouble sleeping, headache, restlessness, and bleeding. vagina.
Ginseng often reacts with many drugs such as drugs for schizophrenia, diabetes, depression, and blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin. People who are about to undergo surgery or are undergoing chemotherapy should not take ginseng or ginseng root. ^{[29] X Research Sources}

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Use elderberry, eucalyptus and licorice. Herbal remedies are often used to treat nasal discharge and sinus problems. These herbs may interact with the drugs mentioned above, so consult your doctor before use. ^{[30] X Research Source}

People who are sick should not use these herbs. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing, have diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, kidney disease, liver disease, low potassium levels, hormone-sensitive cancers or related diseases. heart disease, or conditions that require regular use of aspirin or blood thinners such as warfarin. ^{[31] X Research Source}
Elderberry works well in case of a lot of nasal discharge or problems related to the sinuses. Elderberry extract products contain vitamin C while other herbs are used to relieve nasal congestion.
Eucalyptus essential oil is quite concentrated and can be toxic if ingested. However, common eucalyptus is found in many different products, especially those used to treat coughs. Products containing eucalyptus can be applied to the skin as a chest cream, or taken in small amounts as cough suppressants. You can also put eucalyptus in a humidifier so that the eucalyptus oil can easily evaporate, helping to relieve nasal congestion.
Licorice root is a fairly common herb. However, there is not much scientific evidence for the effectiveness of licorice in the treatment of nasal congestion and nasal discharge.

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Learn more about Echinacea (a type of chrysanthemum). Many people use echinacea products for stuffy noses, runny noses, and colds. ^{[32] X Research Source}

Scientific studies have yet to prove a significant effect of echinacea in treating nasal congestion, dry nose, or cold symptoms. ^{[33] X Research Sources}
Echinacea is found in many different products, made from different parts of the plant. The current production process has not been standardized under the management of the law. It is also uncertain which part of the plant should be used and the effects of this product may still be unknown. ^{[34] X Research Source}

Steps

Consult a Doctor

Lifestyle Change

Use Over-the-Counter Products

Apply Natural Treatments

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