Any person should know how to cure a runny nose, because this nuisance falls upon us almost with every change of seasons. However, there are options: you can use pharmacy drugs or folk remedies. Among both of these categories, the choice is so great that the eyes run wide. Before deciding in favor of a specific method, which is guaranteed to help get rid of squelching in the nose, it is worth figuring out where the trouble came from.
Simple and cost-free
If the cause of the common cold is a cold, while there are no concomitant chronic pathologies, and the immunity is strong by nature, defeating the unpleasant syndrome is as easy as shelling pears. Often it is possible to do without pharmaceutical names at all, enough folk remedies, and begin with the use of large volumes of liquid. In certain cases, even such a measure is enough to regain the ability to breathe normally. Magic? Not at all! Congestion becomes the cause of breaths through the mouth, while the body is actively losing moisture, and replenishing its reserves is vital.
If the cold is just beginning, you should drink warm liquid in large volumes. This will help maintain the strength of the body, prevent dehydration, and reduce the likelihood of thickening of the blood. At the same time, the symptoms of intoxication are eliminated, and the mucus in the nose will not thicken so much. Although a cold and a runny nose are often inseparable, a warm drink, especially with healthy ingredients (honey, lemon) will, if not immediately expel them, then minimize the duration of unpleasant sensations.
And do not overwork!
If the cause of the common cold is a cold, you must allow the body to regain strength. The most successful option is to completely exclude access to aggressive external factors, the world of viruses and pathological bacteria, until the condition improves. True, spending all this time in bed is not necessary at all, an active pastime will benefit, but within the reasonable framework. It is also worthwhile to allow yourself a short walk in the fresh air, choosing for this a coniferous forest near the house - if, of course, the terrain allows it. But places where there are many people should be avoided by all means.
Uncomplicated, but quite long-term physical activity is an excellent cure for the common cold, which makes blood flow more intense, which has a positive effect on the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity and stimulates the removal of toxic compounds from body tissues. By the way, many unpleasant sensations of a cold are connected precisely with intoxication, provoked by the vital activity of pathological microorganisms.
More moisture!
It will come to the aid of rinsing the nose with a runny nose, as well as regular hydration. For this, physiological saline is used, in other words, simple salted water. For a layman, this may seem strange: there’s a lot of mucus, why add water? But it’s just washing, moisturizing those suffering from the fight against mucous membrane disease that allows supporting the body’s natural forces, activating cleansing processes, which ultimately positively affects the nasal passages and overall health.
It will not be superfluous to rinse not only the nasal passages, but also the throat with a saline without a fever without temperature, since these areas are in close interaction with each other. Infection, if you do not take timely protective measures, can spread to the respiratory tract and go deeper into the body, which will cause damage to the bronchi and lungs. Adequate, albeit uncomplicated, therapy at the very beginning of the process is the best way to prevent complications.
Eat tasty and right
A simple but reliable cure for the common cold is normalization of nutrition, inclusion of an abundance of vitamins in the menu. Since I had to face a cold, it means that there is a reason to review the diet, including more citrus fruits and herbs that supply ascorbic acid. It is this compound that activates the immune system and helps eliminate all the symptoms of a mild illness. In addition, under the influence of vitamin, the capillary walls become stronger, which extends to the nasal concha. Consequently, swelling subsides, the mucous membrane does not swell so much, breathing is facilitated.
Warmth for the benefit of man
At the very beginning of the disease at home, treatment for the common cold is quickly and effectively possible using dry heat. This method is simple, requires a minimum of effort, time and expense: you only need to have a woven bag and ordinary salt or an egg that can be boiled. The procedure does not last long - from five minutes to twice as much time. First, the salt is heated in a frying pan and poured into a bag, then put it on the nose and lay down to rest until the product has cooled.
An alternative is to boil a hard-boiled egg and keep in the same area until the temperature is even with the environment. Surprisingly, it is a fact: such a simple way to cure a runny nose at home works flawlessly, relief is already observed during the procedure. In addition, the deterioration of the situation, the development of sinusitis can be prevented. Similarly, a blue lamp can be used.
Pharmacy products against stuffy nose
An amazing variety of products are on sale at pharmaceutical points - drops from a runny nose, aerosols, ointments, and even tablets can be found. True, they all have specific features, not suitable for any occasion. It is best to choose the optimal drug, in consultation with your doctor and accurately establish the nature of the common cold. In addition, you can not use drugs for more than two weeks, otherwise addiction can develop, which will cause chronic rhinitis, which is another problem to cope with.
If the mucous membrane swells strongly, drops from a runny nose can come to the rescue, which can constrict blood vessels. These are usually based on dexamethasone, adrenaline. If bothered by abundant branches from the nose, compounds with silver ions, protorgol will be useful. If a runny nose is associated with the formation of dry crusts, oil substances are preferred. Finally, a pronounced inflammatory process requires the use of antimicrobial agents. Such in their bulk contain additional components, constricting blood vessels, therefore, have a complex effect. Many drops of this plan are intended for use by a short-term course - no more than one week.
Natural Products Against Disease
When figuring out how to cure a runny nose at home, you should pay attention to the effectiveness of vegetable juices with this problem. The most useful are extracted from beets, carrots. The preparation is quite simple - root vegetables are cleaned and rubbed on a fine grater, squeezed liquid through cheesecloth and mixed with vegetable oil. On a tablespoon of juice - a couple of drops of oil. You can add a few more drops of garlic juice. This composition is intended for instillation: in each nasal passage a couple of drops three times daily until the symptoms are exhausted.
Do not forget about the benefits of Kalanchoe from a cold. The classic recipe involves the preparation of a mixture of Kalanchoe juice (you can take aloe), honey, water. All ingredients are taken in equal proportions. The finished product is instilled into each nasal passage 3-4 times daily until the disease passes.
You can also use Kalanchoe from the common cold in this variant: regularly instill fresh clean product extracted from the leaves of the plant and mixed with water into the nasal passages. The optimal frequency of the event is every three hours. The volume in one nostril is five drops. Before use, the juice is diluted with half boiled water, otherwise you can burn the mucous membrane.
What else to try?
Almost everyone knows how to cure a runny nose if you have onions at hand. The root crop is rubbed on a fine grater, two tablespoons of the resulting slurry are mixed with a teaspoon of natural honey. The mixture is dissolved in half a glass of warm water, allowed to infuse for half an hour and used for instillation. The optimal result is observed when using the composition three times daily. You can dip a swab in the liquid and insert it into the nostril for a quarter of an hour.
Another recipe for curing a runny nose at home: chop an equal amount of onion, garlic, let it brew for two hours in vegetable oil, it is better to pre-aged in a steam bath. The finished product is used to lubricate the nasal mucosa. It effectively softens the crusts and alleviates the condition of the patient.
Inhaler to the rescue
The benefits of inhalation with a cold will not be a surprise to anyone. If you come to the doctor’s office, he’ll probably write a referral to a physical room where you will have to use a public inhaler. A much more convenient option is to have your own device for home use. They are inexpensive, are sold in almost any pharmacy. As a consumable raw material, physiological saline, essential oils, herbal infusions and decoctions and special pharmaceutical preparations intended for such use can be used.
In the absence of a special inhalation device during a cold, simpler methods can also be implemented, for example, boiling potatoes in their skins. The liquid from the tank is drained and breathed with hot steam. For maximum effect, the procedure should be lengthy. So that the heat does not go away too quickly, they bend over the saucepan and cover their heads with a towel. Accuracy is important, otherwise you can get a burn. Another good option is to inhale aromatic essential oil vapors. Useful for a cold are considered to be extracted from orange, fir, eucalyptus, cloves. You can breathe marjoram salted broth.
Rhinitis and trauma
When learning how to cure a runny nose in such a situation, it is best to consult a doctor first. Often, metal dust that has entered the respiratory system can provoke rhinitis. In most cases, the symptoms themselves exhaust themselves in a couple of days, but if they do not go away or the cause was serious damage, you should consult a doctor for timely qualified help. As a rule, prescribe means for narrowing the blood vessels, relieving the swelling that accompanies the injury.
If a runny nose is observed against the background of a recent surgery, the doctor will prescribe ointments, drops based on an antibacterial compound. Thermal procedures with this form of the disease are strictly prohibited. The doctor may prescribe a cold pill based on the nature of the microbial infection. It is in no case impossible to independently prescribe them yourself; selection is carried out only after a laboratory study of mucus samples and identification of which compound pathological agents are sensitive to.
Rhinitis and Allergies
For this reason, runny tablets belonging to the antihistamine group will also help. The main task is to weaken the body's immune response to an allergen. In parallel, they establish what exactly caused this reaction, exclude a dangerous compound from the patient's life. The tablet form is often prescribed if necessary, systemic effects on the body. If an allergy manifests itself only with a runny nose, stop on drops.
The substance contained in the drug blocks the activity of histamine, which provokes an allergic response. Under the influence of this compound, the nose is blocked, the mucous membrane swells, copious branches are generated, perspiration in the throat, constant sneezing interferes. Antihistamines (in their bulk) have side effects, so you need to take them only under the supervision of a specialist and only for a limited time. Many provoke drowsiness, adversely affect blood vessels, heart, digestion. To minimize discomfort, you should take exactly the name that the allergist writes out based on the results of the examination of the patient, tests.
Nebulizer vs Rhinitis
Perhaps you can’t find a more convenient option on how to make inhalations with a cold for children. This special device is completely safe to use, technical and efficient. With its help, a variety of drugs can be introduced into the body, including against allergies. A medicine is placed in a special reservoir, which is sprayed and vaporized, fed into the mask through which the patient breathes. Fine particles quickly cover the entire surface of the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs, including areas where simple drops are not easy to get.
Carrying out inhalations with a cold for children with a nebulizer, you can achieve a positive effect much faster and deal with the symptom. In addition, special substances for the treatment of children are on sale. They smell pleasant, so it’s easy to convince the child to a short breathing procedure through the mask.
The first measures are the most effective
As soon as the first symptoms of a cold have begun, it is worth immediately starting adequate therapy, just then its effectiveness will be maximized. Often, a runny nose is the body's response to sudden hypothermia, and it can be eliminated by high-quality heating by taking a hot bath, and even better - with mustard. Such a measure is effective if you immerse yourself in water immediately upon arrival at home, and after the procedure, thoroughly rinse the nasal cavity with physiological saline using a syringe. Due to salt, the passages will be cleaned, harmful life forms will be destroyed, plaque will be washed off.
The next stage is the use of vasoconstrictor agents. The Otrivin, Naphthyzinum are popular. Having completed all of the above procedures, having drunk hot raspberry tea or sweetened with honey before bedtime, you can not be afraid of unpleasant symptoms of a cold in the morning, a combination of methods works without fail. True, it is recommended that five more days be used in drops to prevent relapse and not suffer from swelling of the mucosa. Doctors advise you to regularly wash your nose.
Diseases, forms and preparations
If acute rhinitis has developed, vasoconstrictor drugs are considered the most effective. They relieve swelling, allow you to restore the ability to breathe, reduce the amount of mucus produced. The situation is somewhat more complicated if a runny nose is lingering, and becomes chronic. To apply drops for narrowing of blood vessels not only does not give a result, but it is often dangerous for a person. What to do in such a situation is best checked with your doctor. If it is not possible to attend a consultation, you need to remember what triggered an unpleasant symptom. If the reason is an allergic reaction, a change of seasons, it is worth examining the pharmacy assortment for appropriate products. The most popular drug for seasonal exacerbation of the common cold is Allergodil. The product is available in the form of drops for the nose, eyes, is intended for daily single use. An alternative to him are Fenistil, Zirtek.
It is better to choose a drug after consulting with an allergist. Once every six months, the name is changed, but also on the recommendation of a doctor. If it was possible to choose the appropriate composition, it will quickly eliminate the symptoms, after which it is not necessary to use the medication until the next exacerbation.
Proven classic
Surely everyone knows the Zvezdochka balm, several decades ago the only industrial substance that was truly effective against the common cold. Many believe that with the collapse of the USSR its release ceased, but this opinion is erroneous: the drug is produced in Vietnam, as before, and is still supplied to Russia. "Asterisk" helps well with a runny nose, quickly eases the patient's condition, restores the ability to breathe, and disinfects the skin. The greatest result will be brought by its use, when the disease is just beginning, the discharge is transparent, did not change color.
An asterisk can be rubbed under the nose, but only if the skin is not too sensitive, otherwise irritation is possible. You can use the balm to rub your heels at night, after which they put on warm socks and fall asleep.
Another classic option for quick, inexpensive and effective treatment is oxolin ointment. The tool is available in almost any modern pharmacy, costs 20-30 rubles per package, used externally. They can be smeared under the nose, although some experts advise covering the nasal passages with a thin layer to enhance the antibacterial effect. The drug is safe, although it has a disadvantage - a specific smell.