Everyone at least once in their life came across a runny nose, but for someone this is generally a constant problem. In winter and autumn, the cause of what flows out of the nose can be acute respiratory infections, viral infections, and even simple hypothermia. In spring and summer, people with allergies suffer.
What is the cause of the common cold, which causes so much trouble? Let's rule out allergies for now. Nasal discharge tells us that a virus has invaded the nasal mucosa. And how deeply it enters the body depends only on you, as well as the further course of the disease.
At the first sign of a cold, try to limit your exit from the house. Dress warmly (always wool socks, even if you don’t feel the cold), use the "grandmother's method": tea with honey, lemon, raspberries. Only not very hot, otherwise the burn will only aggravate the situation. If there is no temperature, a foot bath (water is not very hot, about 39 degrees) with mustard will help. And when you go to bed, pour a little dry mustard directly into your socks.
No need to rush to the pharmacy for drops for the nose. For the most part, they are addictive, which means that in the future it will be difficult for you to refuse them (even if the runny nose goes away). Better do inhalations (for example, with soda, chamomile, and an inhalipt). Clean your nostrils one at a time (not both at once, otherwise there will be a risk of otitis media).
Now more about the common cold and its types.
1. "False" runny nose (vasomotor). It is observed during a sharp change in temperature (for example, during the transition from cold to heat and vice versa). Flowing from the nose, in the most literal sense. Drops will not help. The whole cause of blood vessels, or rather, their increased reactivity. Usually this condition disappears after a few hours.
2. A runny nose is acute. Fluid constantly flows from the nose (transparent as water), watery eyes, I want to sneeze, temperature 37.0 - 37.6. This condition is treated, as indicated above, plus inhalation.
3. A runny nose is chronic. It does not flow from the nose, but it is difficult to breathe, a feeling of constant stuffiness. Here, the cause must be treated. Oddly enough, except for sinus inflammation, the cause can be heart or kidney disease, obesity. If the cause is still the virus, the treatment is similar to the previous two, plus drops in the nose (vasoconstrictors), which will help relieve swelling and prevent stagnation of mucus. It is better to dig in lying on your side (one side is one nostril, the other side is the other nostril). Give preference to sprays and drops with a vegetable base and oil. In addition to cleansing the nasal passages, they allow you to moisturize the mucous membrane and reduce irritation. And once again I repeat: do not use drops for a long time (no more than a week), otherwise a runny nose can develop into drug rhinitis (the cause of a runny nose is a medicine).
If, after a week of treatment, it still flows from the nose, the clear discharge has turned greenish, there has been pain in the head area, the temperature remains or has risen even higher - consult a doctor, as these are already symptoms of purulent inflammation (sinusitis). Here you can’t do without complex treatment: antibiotics, decongestants and vasoconstrictors, vitamins, immunostimulants.
If even after such treatment there are no results, the doctor may suggest a puncture. It is necessary to clarify that the focus of this infection is in the head, i.e. very close to the brain. And this, as you know, is dangerous. To prevent this from happening, take care of basic prevention: avoid hypothermia, drafts, talk less in the cold. And before leaving the house (especially when the virus is "atrocities") do not be too lazy to lubricate the inside of the nose with oxolinic ointment. When you get home, rinse your mouth, rinse your nose. Such events will take you just a few minutes, but in the end they will not allow viruses to gain a foothold in your body. And do not forget about the vitamins that nature and fruits have so richly endowed. Do not avoid spicy salads from radishes, garlic, onions. Use them at least occasionally.
And in conclusion, a few words about children.
Often, the experience of young mothers is that the baby flows from the nose. In fact, this is not always a cause for concern. The expression included in the proverb "snotty yet you" just speaks of childhood. The thing is that for the baby "snotty" nose - in the order of things. Thus, the nasal passages are lubricated, bacteria and dust are removed. With age, this goes away. But if the discharge is constant, have a greenish or yellowish color, you can not delay it with a visit to the doctor. These are already symptoms of infection (described above). As prevention, it is possible to advise washing the nasal passages with "sea water" (sea salt solution) and hardening.
Be healthy!