Many people are worried about the question - why does a cold run out for a long time? The answer to this question is ambiguous - there can be many reasons for this condition.
Rhinitis, or a runny nose, is characterized by swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, which occurs as a result of the penetration of an infection or allergic elements into the body. In most cases, a prolonged runny nose in an adult or a child is an independent pathology, but sometimes it develops as a symptom of another disease, for example, measles, SARS, and flu. A runny nose is a sign of another disease, and therefore, if symptoms persist for a long time, you should consult an ENT doctor who will select the most effective treatment regimen and tell you how to treat a prolonged runny nose in a child and an adult.
Depending on the cause, rhinitis is divided into several types:
- Infectious: chronic, acute, catarrhal, hypertrophic, atrophic.
- Vasomotor (non-infectious type): allergic and neurovegetative.
Chronic rhinitis
Why a cold does not go away for a long time is a topical issue today. This is a chronic inflammation that occurs in the nasal mucosa. Often, relapsing or untreated acute rhinitis is the most common cause of the transition of the disease to a chronic form. In the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity there are a large number of vessels.
When chronic rhinitis occurs, blood circulation in this area is disturbed, blood stasis occurs. Due to inflammation, the mucous membrane swells, the nasal passages narrow, nasal breathing is difficult. The main manifestation of the inflammatory process is exudate - a pathological discharge. Its nature varies depending on the type of pathology.
Types of Chronic Rhinitis
Chronic rhinitis can be of the following forms:
- hypertrophic;
- allergic (year-round or seasonal);
- atrophic;
- non-allergic;
- vasomotor;
- professional.
Allergic chronic rhinitis is a risk factor for bronchial asthma. In accordance with the generally accepted classification, the disease is divided into types:
- catarrhal;
- atrophic;
- hypertrophic.
Hypertrophic type chronic rhinitis , in turn, is divided into two types: diffuse and limited. Atrophic chronic rhinitis is also divided into subspecies: fetid runny nose (osena) and simple.
Development reasons
The main factors for the development of chronic runny nose include:
- often relapsing or untreated rhinitis in acute form;
- genetic predisposition;
- allergic diseases;
- infectious processes in the respiratory tract;
- metabolic disorder (impaired arachidonic acid metabolism);
- hormonal imbalance;
- inhalation of too hot, cold, dry, dusty air;
- violations of the structure of the nose (curvature of the nasal septum);
- surgical interventions in the nasal cavity;
- foreign body in the nasal cavity;
- often the use of vasoconstrictive medicines of local effect (sprays, drops);
- bad habits.
Of course, the reasons may be different. It is important to install them in a timely manner.
Symptomatology
The symptoms of the disease, regardless of its form, include:
- pathological discharge from the nasal cavity;
- dry mucous membranes in the nose;
- difficulty in nasal breathing;
- worsening of sense of smell;
- sensation of itching in the nose;
- nasal voice;
- sore throat;
- reflex cough;
- sneezing (most often in the morning);
- snore;
- persistent headaches.
The indicated symptoms in patients with chronic runny nose can have varying degrees of severity and manifest themselves in different combinations. In the chronic type of rhinitis, nasal breathing is significantly difficult. The most common symptom of chronic runny nose is the presence of postnasal syndrome, which is characterized by an accumulation of pathological secretions in the nasopharynx, which causes the patient a constant feeling of discomfort.
Postnasal syndrome often causes chronic sore throat or prolonged unproductive cough. Chronic runny nose of an allergic genesis is expressed, as a rule, in the sensation of itching in the throat and nose, lacrimation, redness of the eyes, difficulty or complete absence of nasal breathing, excessive fatigue.
Signs of a catarrhal form
In chronic catarrhal rhinitis , nasal congestion is observed, which is most often expressed only on one side. Nasal discharge is moderate, mucopurulent, but can become purulent and become profuse. Against the backdrop of chronic runny nose, some complications may also develop, for example, oxygen starvation, rhinitis with eosinophilic syndrome, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea.
With hypertrophic rhinitis
With hypertrophic rhinitis, hyperplasia of the nasal mucosa is noted, which greatly complicates breathing. In addition, there is a compression of the lacrimal and nasal canals, which can cause the development of dacryocystitis and conjunctivitis. In chronic atrophic rhinitis from the nose, viscous mucus.
Crusts form in the nose, the mucous membrane becomes thinner, nosebleeds often occur, and secondary infection may occur. When klebsiella is infected with the mucosa, an ozena or a fetid runny nose can develop. In this case, gray peels form in the nose, which cause an unpleasant pungent odor.
It is important not only to understand why a runny nose does not go away for a long time, but also to begin to treat it correctly.
Preparations
Despite the fact that there are a lot of medications for the common cold, a diagnosis of the disease and a doctor’s consultation are required to find the right remedy. All medicines for rhinitis, including those that occur in a chronic form, can be divided into several categories.
These are vasoconstrictors, and antiallergic drugs, drugs with a hormonal component, antibacterial drugs, etc. All of them have different indications for use, a list of restrictions, dosage forms, dosage for children or adults, etc. We will figure out how to treat a prolonged runny nose in a child. and adult.
Vasoconstrictor drops
This category of drugs for the common cold is prescribed for the expansion of blood vessels located in the nasal passages, and this phenomenon is accompanied by severe swelling of the tissues. With a runny nose less than a week and in the absence of an allergic or bacterial form of pathology, adult patients can independently use such drugs.
Vasoconstrictor drugs that affect adrenaline recipes and peripheral capillaries, contributing to their narrowing:
- "Oxymetazoline";
- "Naphazoline";
- "Phenylephrine";
- "Xylometazoline."
Such drugs are prescribed for both adults and children, but have different concentrations of the main substance. The most popular vasoconstrictor agents can be considered:
- Otrivin is a Swiss-made anti-cold medicine that is highly effective due to its vasoconstrictor effect. The use of this tool helps relieve swelling of the mucosa, but does not help eliminate the cause of rhinitis. The drug "Otrivin" can be used for any type of rhinitis, including the allergic form of the common cold. Allowed the use of this tool by people of any age, including children. It is unacceptable to use the medication for more than 10 days (risk of addiction).
- "Xylen" is a Russian medication with a vasoconstrictor effect. It has a decongestant effect. With a narrowing of the vessels of the nasal mucosa, edema and hyperemia are eliminated, and the respiratory process is restored. It can be prescribed even to infants.
Antibacterial drugs
Medicines of this category act due to the content of the antibiotic. They have a detrimental effect on the infection, which causes inflammation of the mucous membrane, restoring the balance of the natural flora and eliminating the cause of the pathological process. These drugs include:
- Isofra is an anti-bacterial moisturizer for the common cold in France. The drug is widely used for sinusitis, has a contraindication for use under the age of one year.
- "Polydex" - a French medicine for rhinitis of antibacterial action. The composition of this drug contains a number of potent substances - antibiotic, hormonal and vasoconstrictor elements. Using the product helps to get rid of a runny nose, nasal congestion and prevent the development of sinusitis.
- Aerosol "Kameton" for what is applied? This is an antiseptic combined remedy for the common cold. The composition of this drug contains such components - chlorobutanol hemihydrate, synthetic camphor, levomenthol and eucalyptus oil. The medication has an antiseptic, analgesic, antipruritic effect, and its local effects are accompanied by a feeling of coolness and a slight tingling sensation. What is the aerosol "Cameton" used for is described in detail in the instructions.
Antihistamines for the common cold
Such a pathological phenomenon as allergic rhinitis often causes the development of atrophy of the nasal mucosa. Therefore, it is necessary to deal with such a disease immediately, without expecting complications.
- Allergodil is an Italian antihistamine against the common cold. A medication is used for allergic reactions of any origin. It eliminates only the symptoms of the disease, but does not affect the cause of its occurrence. May be prescribed to children after six years.
- Cromohexal is a German antihistamine medication in the form of a spray. It is allowed to take it within a month. It is recommended to use it with drug dependence. It is prescribed at the age of 5 years.
What else to treat for a long lasting runny nose in an adult and a child? Consider other medicines.
Moisturizing preparations against the common cold
This group of drugs is used for the common cold caused by atrophy of the nasal mucosa, if the disease is accompanied by severe dryness in the nose. Such drugs moisturize the mucosa, restore its structure, facilitate breathing. These include:
- "Aqua Maris" is a saline solution intended for washing the nose with a runny nose. Indications for its use are acute and chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, sinusitis. With regular use, the medication prevents the development of the inflammatory process in the nasopharynx, moisturizes the mucous membrane with increased air dryness in the room.
- "Aqualor" - drops, in the composition of which there is sea salt. The solution is designed to reduce the amount of discharge from the nose, remove mucus and soften the crusts. This tool can be used even in newborn babies.
- "Marimer" - a solution of sea salt, which is available in the form of drops. This drug is prescribed for signs of chronic runny nose and sinusitis. In addition, the tool effectively eliminates the symptoms of viral and allergic rhinitis.
Preparations for children
What are the most effective nose drops for children with a cold?
Runny nose causes a lot of trouble not only to the child, but also to his parents. The kid is constantly acting up, he has difficulty breathing, the nasopharynx becomes inflamed. A prolonged runny nose can provoke many complications, since infection of the mucous membrane can occur, which is fraught with diseases of bacterial etiology. Medicines that are used to treat a cold in a child:
- "Naphthyzine" - drops based on naphazoline. The drug in contact with the mucosa quickly relieves swelling of tissues and inflammation. With a cold, this agent has an effect on the capillary vessels, increasing the volume of air entering through the nose. It must be borne in mind that this medication should be used with caution, since in children it can provoke nosebleeds.
- "Vibrocil" is a medication that is often prescribed for chronic rhinitis in children from 1 to 6 years. The main substance of the drug is phenylephrine. The drug has a vasoconstrictor effect and can be used for rhinitis, sinusitis and sinusitis. Contraindications - intolerance to the substance and atrophic form of rhinitis.
- "Nazol Baby" - a drug for the smallest patients with a runny nose - for children under 1 year old. It has a pronounced vasoconstrictor effect, but it can not be used for long courses. With these drops, it is recommended to bury the nose of the child only before bedtime.
Folk therapy
How to cure rhinitis at home? You can get rid of a chronic lingering rhinitis by washing the nose with this solution: for 1 cup of water - 1 tsp. salt, 0.5 tsp soda and 5 drops of iodine. Mustard is also widely used: you can put mustard on the feet or pour dry mustard into socks. You can do foot baths: hold your feet in hot water with mustard for the night.
How to get rid of chronic rhinitis forever? Effectively treat a runny nose at home with onions. A slurry of onion is wrapped in a wet towel, put on the wings of the nose, covered with a dry cloth on top, lie with this compress for 15 minutes, repeat the procedure 3-4 times a day.
Aloe and Kalanchoe are wonderful folk remedies for the treatment of the common cold. It is necessary to drip 3-4 times a day 3-4 drops of Kalanchoe pinnate or aloe juice into the nose.
We examined why a runny nose does not go away for a long time, as well as effective methods of dealing with it.