In this article, we will figure out how to treat white snot in an adult. In normal condition, the nasal mucosa should be moderately moist and have a small amount of clear discharge.
How are white snot formed?
When infected with a viral infection, a cold or an allergic reaction, a runny nose occurs, which is accompanied by the appearance of transparent snot. At the first time of the disease, the discharge is always transparent and quite fluid in consistency. After a few days, the snot can change color. With an allergic rhinitis, snot can remain transparent for a long time or change color to white. In the presence of good immunity, if an adult patient is already beginning to recover, then on the third day the snot will become white and become thick. After several days, swelling of the mucosa subsides and the separation of white mucus gradually ceases. In some cases, the white color of the discharge indicates more serious pathologies, especially with an increase in body temperature and other symptoms of intoxication. Let’s try to understand the causes of this phenomenon and identify methods of prevention and treatment. The causes of white snot in an adult are of interest to many.
What is nasal discharge intended for?
The glandular structures of the nasal cavity produce secretions to moisten the inhaled air and protect the lungs from the negative effects of foreign bodies. Snot envelops the mucous membrane and does not allow pathogenic microbes to penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract. However, mucus is sometimes not transparent, but in the form of thick, viscous white snot. This sign indicates the development of a certain pathological condition, the cause of which must be established in order to properly begin treatment. The white color of the discharge usually indicates that there are pathogenic bacteria in the body and the inflammatory process has begun. In this case, there may be a headache, a taste of pus in the mouth, swelling and redness of the nasal passages.
Causes of white snot in an adult
The list of diseases in adults, accompanied by white discharge from the nose, is quite extensive and presented: allergic rhinitis of a chronic course, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, initial polypous growths in the nasal cavities, adenoids, ethmoiditis, prolonged runny nose, atrophy of the nasal mucous membranes, sinusitis. Teeth affected by caries and being a source of infection in the maxillary sinuses can also cause white snot. All these diseases must be treated by an otolaryngologist. If necessary, an x-ray examination or puncture of the sinuses, in which the focus of inflammation is located, is prescribed. As an additional method for the diagnosis of white thick snot in an adult and the presence of staphylococci, streptococci and other dangerous pathogens, the ENT can use bacosow from the throat and nasal cavity. Having a medical history, the doctor can begin to treat a patient who has viscous and white snot. White discharge in an adult can appear with the development of purulent-inflammatory processes (for example, purulent adenoiditis). This begins inflammation of the frontal sinuses. Diseases of this kind are treated only under the supervision of a doctor, in order to avoid complications. Dolphin for washing your nose can be very helpful.
Polyps
The presence of polyps can also disturb breathing, which leads to severe nasal congestion and the appearance of white snot. Polyps crush blood vessels, which leads to circulatory disorders. The nature of the therapy depends on the severity of the disease and the presence of complications. Sometimes normal saline washes are sufficient, and in some cases surgical intervention is necessary.
We examined the causes of white snot in an adult, but how to treat them?
Traditional therapies
If the presence of white snot is not associated with any complications, then, for example, octenisept is prescribed - 3 drops in each nasal passage. During the day, you should rinse your nose with saline (you can buy at a pharmacy or cook at home). The pharmaceutical industry offers such preparations for washing the nose: "Dolphin", "Aquamaris", "Aqualor", "Quicks". In addition, Erespal syrup is prescribed for 7 days, which has anti-inflammatory and antiexudative effects. In order to facilitate breathing, inhalation administration of saline is used. Thanks to this, it is possible to clear the nasal passages and remove the signs of the inflammatory process. Inhalation with thick white snot in an adult should be done with a nebulizer or inhaler.
Vasoconstrictor
It is also possible to reduce nasal congestion with the help of vasoconstrictor drugs.
Their use should not exceed five days, since further development of dependence is possible. Such drugs for adults include Pinosol, Equasept, which have a bactericidal and immunostimulating effect. It is possible in these cases the use of immunomodulators: Derinat, Ismigen, Imunoriksa.
Reception of antibiotics is prescribed by the attending physician, there must be good reason for this. If the common cold is allergic in nature, antihistamines are needed to relieve itching and swelling. Alternatively, you can use aloe or Kalanchoe juice to instill in your nose.
During pregnancy or breastfeeding, the use of antibacterial agents and some other drugs is prohibited, therefore, for the treatment of the common cold, you need to choose products based on natural components.
What else can cure white snot in an adult?
During pregnancy
During pregnancy or lactation, you should think not only about yourself, but also the unborn baby. Therefore, any antibiotics are prohibited. For treatment, it is better to choose antiviral or herbal medicines - Pinosol or Sinupret. In addition to all of the above funds, do not forget about alternative medicine.
If there are no complications, then treatment of the common cold with white discharge can also be carried out with the help of traditional medicine.
Treatment of prolonged runny nose in an adult with folk methods
Treatment of thick white snot with the help of unconventional methods can reduce the inflammatory process. For this, they use, for example, a decoction of chamomile and eucalyptus for washing the nose. A good therapeutic effect is exerted by a mixture containing sunflower oil, onion juice and garlic. This fluid must be instilled into the nasal passages. Vasomotor rhinitis can be treated with a decoction of calendula or peppermint. And peppermint tea can be taken orally or washed nose. For washing the nasal passages use a solution of apple cider vinegar. For this recipe, only homemade vinegar is used. It is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20. Such washing is especially effective in the acute period of the disease. 1-2 ml of this solution is sprayed into each nasal passage and this procedure is repeated five times a day. The use of apple cider vinegar helps to destroy pathogenic microflora, relieve swelling and inflammation.
In addition, beetroot juice is used for instillation: fresh beetroot juice is instilled into the nose three times a day, if it is difficult to tolerate, it can be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Treatment should be continued for five days.
Of the popular recipes for the treatment of white snot, the anti-inflammatory composition with honey is especially popular. It includes: 1 teaspoon of liquid honey, 1 teaspoon of carrot juice, half a teaspoon of 10% propolis tincture. All components are mixed and dripped into each nasal passage three drops, twice a day. In addition to all these methods, for the treatment of white snot, it is possible to use turund. To make them, you need to mix a liquid solution: a teaspoon of sea buckthorn oil, an incomplete teaspoon of calendula, 1/3 teaspoon of melted cocoa butter, half a teaspoon of liquid honey. Gauze turundas are thoroughly moistened with this mixture and deeply inserted into the nostrils for 15 minutes. These measures are especially effective in the treatment of chronic runny nose and sinusitis.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic sinusitis are reviewed. How to avoid this?
Preventative measures
In order for the runny nose to go away in a week and the patient’s condition not to be complicated by inflammatory processes, treatment should be started in a timely manner, resorting to sanation of the foci of infection. The simplest and most affordable methods for the prevention of the common cold are:
- proper nutrition, with limited use of sweet, pastry, smoked, fatty, processed foods and canned foods;
- carrying out activities for hardening the body (physical activity, showers with contrast, walks in the fresh air);
- the introduction of a large amount of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables into the diet;
- many vitamins from fresh vegetables and fruits;
- warm drink in large quantities.
We tried to tell in detail about the causes of white snot in an adult, methods of treatment and prevention.