If you treat a runny nose, then it goes away in 7 days. If you do not treat a runny nose, it goes away in a week. Everyone heard it. But such an opinion is erroneous. Many let the situation go by chance, but a runny nose needs to be treated. Sleepless nights, lack of appetite, headache, sneezing, dryness and sensitivity of the nasal mucosa are the most harmless manifestations of acute rhinitis. If untreated, complications are possible: otitis media, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis and the transition of the common cold to a chronic form.
Most often, the appearance of a runny nose is facilitated by viruses, bacteria, hypothermia. Itching in the nasopharynx, nasal congestion, frequent sneezing, headache - when these symptoms appear, treatment should be started as soon as possible.
Many pharmacy drugs for the treatment of the common cold are dispensed without a doctor’s prescription. But consultation with a specialist is never superfluous. And taking antibiotics when a cold starts is not justified. They will not cure rhinitis, but they can harm the body.
With the onset of a cold and a cold, folk remedies help well. Hot foot baths with mustard powder and raspberry tea are the best home remedies for a cold. Beet juice, aloe are also effective if rhinitis has just begun. The advantages of traditional medicine is that the risk of side effects is minimized, unlike drugs. But folk remedies do not always help.
There are many drugs used to treat rhinitis in the pharmacy assortment, consider the main ones.
Drops with a vasoconstrictor effect
The most popular and effective group of medicines. Instilled in the morning a good remedy for
runny nose and nose breathes all day. True, these drugs do not help with heaviness in the head, sneezing and itching. After a while, a runny nose starts again. Vasoconstrictors do not treat rhinitis. They relieve nasal congestion and swelling of the mucosa. It is necessary to use such drops with a runny nose, this will help reduce the risk of otitis media.
When taken for more than 7 days, the drugs cause the opposite phenomenon (tachyphylaxis), and the nasal mucosa swells again. Often people have to drip vasoconstrictor drops for many years, without them the nose does not breathe. This is addictive, and getting rid of it is very difficult.
Drugs in this group can cause hypertension, increased intraocular pressure and tachycardia. You can not simultaneously use vasoconstrictors and drops with a therapeutic effect. The minimum interval between their instillation is 40 minutes. Otherwise, the drug substance will not work, vasoconstrictor drops will not allow it to be absorbed.
If a runny nose lasts more than 7 days, you need to see a doctor.
Groups of vasoconstrictor drops
1. Preparations containing naphazoline. Medicines "Naftizin", "Sanorin" - representatives of this group. The duration is about 4 hours. Of all the groups, the shortest. Dry the mucous membrane of the nose. Now rarely used.
2. Preparations of xylometazoline. Means "Galazolin", "Rinonorm", "Ximelin", "Tizin", "Rinostop" - representatives of this group. Approximately 6 hours, a more gentle effect on the mucosa. Many representatives of this group contain seawater and other substances to moisturize the mucosa.
3. The active substance is oxymetazoline. The drugs "Nazivin", "Otrivin", "Nazol" are the main representatives of this group. Action time can reach 12 hours. Least irritating to the nasal mucosa, therefore, any of them is the best cure for the common cold among vasoconstrictors.
Drops with sea water
All drops and sprays to moisten the nasal mucosa contain a solution of sea salt. “Aquamaris”, “Aqualor”, “Salin”, “Morenazal”, “Physiomer”, “Marimer” are drugs that moisturize and soften the mucous membrane. A similar remedy for the common cold, reviews of which are always positive, relieves swelling well. Preparations based on sea water treat inflammation and thin the purulent separable.
A good cold remedy does not relieve nasal congestion instantly. It treats a runny nose and reduces the risk of complications. Medicines in this group have no side effects. They are allowed for young children and pregnant women.
If it is not possible to purchase drops with sea water, you can use a simple saline solution. This is a common salt solution, it is also effective for the treatment of rhinitis.
Antiviral drugs
A good remedy for the common cold is drops with an antiviral effect, but they are effective only in the first stages of the disease. Antiviral agents are used strictly according to the instructions, otherwise they will not help. Timely administration and accurate dosages will cure a runny nose in 3 days.
Antiviral drops "Grippferon", "Nazoferon" contain interferon. Interferon is produced in the body. He is responsible for the immune system and attacks the virus. Interferon is available in drops and in dry powder. This is an effective remedy for the common cold. Ampoules with dry interferon can be used from birth. They are simply diluted with water. The drug has no side effects, only individual intolerance is possible.
There are other antiviral drops in the nose - Derinat. This is an excellent cure for the common cold and colds. They stimulate the production of interferon. Spray "IRS-19" contains bacterial lysates. He fights with a runny nose and bronchitis. When using drops with an immunomodulatory effect during the epidemic, the likelihood of “catching a runny nose" is reduced.
Phytotherapy
Herbal extracts in drops help well with a runny nose. They moisturize and soften the nasal mucosa well, treat inflammation. The drug Pinosol is the leader of this group, the most effective cure for the common cold. It is available in the form of drops, ointments and cream. Essential oils are included in the Pinosol medication, so it can cause allergies. Contraindicated in children under 3 years. All drops that contain essential oils cannot be used in this age category, they can cause bronchospasm.
There are inhaler pencils "Doctor MOM", "Golden Star". They contain essential oils that can be inhaled. The nose begins to work reflexively. You can use this remedy for the common cold during pregnancy.
Combination drugs
They contain several components. Drops may include an antibiotic. They are intended for the treatment of rhinitis of a bacterial nature. Polydex contains an antibiotic that quickly cures the infection. There is also an antiallergic component - dexamethasone. It relieves swelling of the mucosa. Choosing the best cold remedy, it is worth considering this medicine.
Some drops, in addition to the vasoconstrictor component, contain an antiallergic substance. They help with allergic rhinitis. The preparations “Vibrocil”, “Sanorin-analergin” well relieve swelling of the nose with allergies. "Vibrocil" in drops can be used for children from 1 year. In addition, you can use this remedy for the common cold during pregnancy.
Many drops contain a vasoconstrictor and sea water. They prevent dryness and relieve swelling. The drug "Snoop" in adult and pediatric form of release well softens the mucous membrane and eliminates nasal congestion.
Antibacterial drugs
Such drugs as Bioparox, Isofra, contain powerful antibiotics. They are prescribed by a doctor. With sinusitis, frontal sinusitis and lingering rhinitis - this is the most effective cure for the common cold. With the onset of the disease, the use of these drugs is unjustified. The advantage of these funds is that they are not absorbed into the blood. Therefore, the side effects inherent in antibiotics are not characteristic of them.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines are good because they do not have side effects. They act with a runny nose at any stage. The main rule of homeopathy is: "You can not deviate from the instructions." If you skip the time of instillation and do not observe the multiplicity, homeopathy will not help. The drugs "Edas-131", "Delufen", "Euphorbium-compositum" will relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and increase immunity. Safe and effective drops are suitable for adults and children. In complex therapy, recovery is significantly accelerated. They are treated with homeopathy for a long time. It has an accumulating effect and on the first day is not yet cured.
Nebulizer - a modern solution for the treatment of the common cold
Using a nebulizer for a cold is very convenient. This is an ultrasonic device with which inhalations are carried out.
Treatment of the common cold with a nebulizer can not be compared with the use of pills and tablets, which go a long way through the body until they reach a diseased organ. Such drugs, in contrast to inhalers, often leave an adverse trace in the form of a variety of side effects.
Folk remedies
Runny nose is the most common disease. Many are ill with them. Runny nose may appear several times a year. Therefore, many folk recipes were invented. Here are some examples of them:
1. Fir and eucalyptus oil. A few drops of essential oil are dripped into a vegetable oil (approximately 25 ml). They drip in the nose in the morning and at night. This mixture instantly facilitates breathing, has a bactericidal effect, softens the mucous membrane and relieves swelling.
2. Beetroot juice relieves inflammation and swelling. Drip it several times a day or make tampons (for 10 minutes). A weak solution of beet juice can be dripped to babies from a cold.
3. Honey drops. Dilute honey with water in equal proportions. A little warm and drip up to 6 times a day. Do not use if you are allergic to this product. Honey is a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.
4. Aloe juice boosts immunity and relieves inflammation. You can drip in pure form. Can be diluted with vegetable oil.
5. Kalanchoe juice is an irritant. When it is instilled, intensive separation of mucus begins, swelling quickly passes and inflammation is relieved.
Nasal lavage at home
In the hospital, in the ENT departments, there is a special apparatus for washing the nose. It creates pressure and flushes the nose with a drug, washing out pus and mucus. A similar procedure can be carried out at home. Washing the nose brings relief to the patient and helps to cure a runny nose. The drug solution is collected in a container and inhaled with its nose, the solution is spit out with the mouth. The procedure is carried out in the morning and at night.
How to prepare a solution
- In a glass with a little salt water, pour a teaspoon of tinctures of eucalyptus or calendula. The solution has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effects.
- 2 filter bags of chamomile or sage are brewed with a glass of boiling water. When the solution becomes a little warm, rinse your nose. The solution has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.
- 3 drops of iodine per glass of warm water. The bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties of iodine are good for treating a runny nose. Not recommended for purulent sinusitis.
- You can rinse your nose with simple saline. This procedure dilutes the mucus and relieves swelling from the nasal mucosa.
After washing, all drugs will be better absorbed. The effect of vasoconstrictor, combined and homeopathic drops increases several times.
From a cold help infusions of herbs that are drunk inside. You can mix raspberry fruit, oregano grass, birch leaf and coltsfoot. Brew the mixture and drink several times a day. Very well with a cold help linden flowers, chamomile. Herbs will help cure a runny nose and a cold. Rosehip and mountain ash will increase immunity and accelerate recovery.
Treatment of any disease should begin with a consultation with a specialist. Not all patients can use drops. Vasoconstrictors are contraindicated for many people. With sinusitis, antibiotic-free therapy is most often ineffective. For people with a curved nasal septum, drops may not help. All these nuances are taken into account by the doctor.
A prolonged runny nose can lead to many serious complications. Inadequate therapy can make the disease chronic. Runny nose is a disease that should be treated. We have presented you with many options for his therapy. You have to choose the most effective cold medicine only, and it is better to do this after consulting a doctor.