How to Stop a Runny Nose: Effective Remedies and Treatments

A runny nose, also known medically as rhinorrhea, is a very common condition that happens when your nasal passages produce too much mucus. Mucus is a fluid made by the mucous membranes lining your nose and sinuses. It’s important because it protects your body by trapping unwanted particles like dust, bacteria, and viruses. It also helps to moisten and warm the air you breathe. When your body senses something irritating or an infection in your nose, it makes more mucus to flush out the problem, leading to a runny nose.

Common Causes of a Runny Nose

Around 40 million people in the US experience the annoyance of a runny nose. Many things can cause it, including:

1. Viral Infections: The common cold and the flu are frequent culprits. These viruses irritate the nasal passages, leading to increased mucus production as the body tries to fight off the infection.
2. Allergies: Allergic rhinitis occurs when your body reacts to allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores. This reaction includes the release of histamine, which causes inflammation and mucus production in the nasal passages.
3. Sinus Infections (Sinusitis): Infections in the sinuses can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. These infections cause inflammation and swelling of the sinus lining, leading to increased mucus and nasal congestion.
4. Irritants in the Environment: Exposure to irritants like cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, air pollution, and chemical fumes can trigger the nasal passages to produce more mucus to protect themselves.
5. Changes in Weather: Cold, dry air, or sudden changes in temperature can irritate the nasal membranes, leading to a runny nose. The dryness can also cause the nasal passages to produce more mucus to compensate for the lack of moisture in the air.
6. Spicy Foods: Eating spicy foods can sometimes cause a gustatory rhinitis, a type of non-allergic runny nose. Spicy foods can stimulate nerves in the nasal passages, leading to increased mucus production.
7. Medications: Certain medications, especially some blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and erectile dysfunction drugs, can have side effects that include nasal congestion and a runny nose. Overuse of decongestant nasal sprays can also lead to rebound congestion.
8. Hormonal Shifts: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menstruation, or due to thyroid conditions can affect the mucous membranes and lead to increased nasal discharge.
9. Structural Nasal Issues: Problems like a deviated septum or nasal polyps can obstruct the nasal passages and contribute to chronic runny nose issues. These structural issues can affect airflow and drainage, leading to persistent symptoms.
10. Emotional Stress: Stress can trigger physical responses in the body, and in some individuals, this can manifest as a runny nose. Stress can affect the autonomic nervous system, which can influence mucus production.

Identifying what’s causing your runny nose is important for choosing the best way to treat and manage it.

Symptoms That Come With a Runny Nose

Runny noses often come with other uncomfortable symptoms, such as:

1. Excessive Nasal Discharge: This is the main symptom, with mucus constantly dripping from the nose. The discharge can vary in consistency from thin and watery to thick and discolored, depending on the cause.
2. Nasal Congestion: A blocked or stuffy nose feeling. This is caused by swollen nasal tissues and increased mucus, making it difficult to breathe through the nose.
3. Sneezing: An involuntary reflex to clear irritants from the nose and throat. Sneezing is a common symptom, especially with colds and allergies, as the body attempts to expel irritants and mucus.
4. Itchy or Watery Eyes: Often seen in allergic reactions. When allergens affect the nasal passages, they often affect the eyes as well, leading to itching, redness, and excessive tearing.
5. Postnasal Drip: Mucus draining down the back of the throat. This can irritate the throat and lead to a cough or sore throat.
6. Sinus Pressure: A feeling of fullness or pain in the sinuses, especially around the forehead, cheeks, and eyes. This pressure is due to inflammation and blockage of the sinus passages.
7. Reduced Sense of Smell and Taste: Excess mucus can block the olfactory receptors in the nose, reducing the ability to smell and taste.
8. Coughing: Frequently caused by postnasal drip irritating the throat. Coughing is a reflex to clear the throat of mucus and irritants.
9. Headache: Sinus pressure can lead to headaches, often described as a dull ache around the forehead or face.
10. Sore Throat: Irritation from postnasal drip or frequent throat clearing and coughing can cause a sore throat.

The specific symptoms and their severity can differ based on what’s causing your runny nose, like allergies, infections, or irritants. Knowing the cause helps in getting the right treatment to relieve these symptoms and feel better.

How to Stop a Runny Nose: Effective Home Remedies

For many cases of runny nose, especially those caused by the common cold or mild allergies, home treatments can be very effective in providing relief. Here are several methods you can try at home to stop a runny nose:

1. Stay Well-Hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, juice, and clear broths, helps to thin the mucus. Thinner mucus is easier to drain from your nasal passages, which can reduce congestion and alleviate a runny nose. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day.
2. Steam Inhalation: Steam can work wonders to moisturize your nasal passages. Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot (but not scalding) water or taking a warm shower can help to loosen mucus and relieve congestion. You can enhance steam inhalation by adding a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil (see essential oils below). Be cautious to avoid burns when using steam.
3. Nasal Saline Irrigation: Rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution is a highly effective way to clear mucus and irritants. You can use a neti pot, a bulb syringe, or a nasal rinse bottle to flush out your nasal passages. Use a sterile saline solution (you can buy pre-made solutions or make your own using distilled or previously boiled water and saline packets). This helps to reduce inflammation and congestion and is a natural way to relieve a runny nose.
4. Warm Compress: Applying a warm compress over your sinuses can help to ease discomfort and congestion. The warmth can help to soothe inflamed nasal tissues and encourage drainage. Simply soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring out the excess, and place it over your forehead and nose. Repeat as needed for relief.
5. Essential Oils: Certain essential oils have properties that can help with nasal congestion. Peppermint and eucalyptus oils are known for their decongestant qualities. You can add a few drops of these oils to your steam inhalation or dilute them in a carrier oil (like coconut or almond oil) and apply topically to your chest or temples. Always ensure oils are properly diluted before topical application and perform a patch test to check for skin sensitivity.
6. Elevate Your Head While Sleeping: Propping your head up with extra pillows can help to drain your sinuses more effectively overnight. Gravity assists in preventing mucus from pooling in your nasal passages, which can reduce nighttime congestion and runny nose symptoms.
7. Avoid Nasal Irritants: Minimize your exposure to things that can worsen your runny nose, such as cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, air pollution, and dust. Identifying and avoiding your specific triggers, whether they are environmental or dietary, can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of your runny nose.
8. Rest and Relaxation: Getting enough rest is crucial for supporting your immune system. When your body is well-rested, it’s better equipped to fight off infections and manage symptoms like a runny nose. Reducing stress is also important, as stress can sometimes exacerbate symptoms.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While many cases of runny nose can be managed at home, there are situations when it’s important to consult a doctor. Seek medical advice if you experience any of the following:

• Symptoms Last Longer Than 10 Days: If your runny nose and other cold-like symptoms persist for more than a week to ten days without improvement, it could indicate a more serious condition like a bacterial sinus infection.
• High Fever: A fever above 102°F (39°C) along with a runny nose, especially if accompanied by chills or body aches, could signal the flu or another infection that requires medical attention.
• Thick, Green or Yellow Nasal Discharge: While nasal discharge can change color during a cold, consistently thick, green or yellow mucus can be a sign of a bacterial infection that may need antibiotics.
• Facial Pain or Pressure: Severe facial pain or pressure, particularly around the sinuses, can indicate sinusitis.
• Runny Nose After Head Injury: If a runny nose occurs after a head injury, especially if the discharge is clear and watery, it could be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which requires immediate medical evaluation.
• Symptoms Worsen Suddenly: If your symptoms initially seem like a common cold but suddenly worsen, or if you develop new symptoms like difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek prompt medical attention.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Individuals with weakened immune systems, asthma, or other chronic conditions should consult their doctor sooner for a runny nose, as they may be at higher risk for complications.
• Runny Nose in Infants and Young Children: Runny noses are common in children, but infants under 3 months old should be seen by a doctor for any runny nose. In older children, watch for signs of dehydration, difficulty breathing, or high fever.

Other Effective Treatments for Runny Nose

If home remedies are not enough, or if you are experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, there are other effective ways to stop a runny nose, including over-the-counter and medical treatments:

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications:

• Antihistamines: These medications are helpful for runny noses caused by allergies. They work by blocking histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction, which reduces symptoms like sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
• Decongestants: Decongestants work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages, which helps to reduce swelling and congestion. They come in nasal sprays and oral tablets or liquids. Use nasal decongestant sprays with caution, as overuse can lead to rebound congestion.
• Nasal Corticosteroids: These sprays reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and are effective for treating allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis. They are more preventative and work best when used regularly.
• Combination Medications: Many OTC cold and allergy medications combine antihistamines, decongestants, and pain relievers to address multiple symptoms at once.

Additionally, for allergies, consider:

• Allergy Drops and Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy): These treatments can help desensitize your body to specific allergens over time. Allergy drops (sublingual immunotherapy) are taken under the tongue, while allergy shots involve regular injections.

Medical Procedures:

• RhinAer Procedure: This minimally invasive procedure uses radiofrequency energy to disrupt the nerve signals in the nose that trigger a runny nose. It’s a targeted approach for chronic rhinitis and can provide long-term relief.
• Neuromark Procedure: Similar to RhinAer, Neuromark is another in-office procedure that targets the nerves responsible for runny nose symptoms. It also uses radiofrequency energy to provide relief.

Consulting an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is recommended for persistent or severe runny nose, or to explore medical procedures like RhinAer or Neuromark. An ENT specialist can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition.

ENT Care Centers in Louisville, Kentucky, and southern Indiana, is dedicated to providing excellent care for all sinus and nasal issues. Their experienced team is committed to helping you achieve optimal health. Contact them with any questions or concerns – they are ready to assist you.