Looking for ways to stop a runny nose? You're in the right place. Runny noses are extremely common and can be caused by cold weather, allergies, and illnesses like the cold, flu, and sinus infections. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to feel better. Read on for a comprehensive list of quick, easy solutions you can use to get rid of a runny nose right at home.
Things You Should Know
- Drink water and herbal tea , and consume spicy food. Use steam (from the shower, facial steam, or a cool-mist humidifier ) to clear your sinuses.
- Rinse the mucus from your nose with saline nasal spray or a neti pot . Try over-the-counter decongestants or allergy medicine as well.
- Blow each nostril separately to clear away mucus. Get lots of rest and steer clear of allergens to reduce your nose’s runniness.
Steps
Clear Your Sinuses With This Expert Series
Clearing your sinuses can sometimes feel impossible, especially if you have an infection. Use these expert articles to unclog your sinuses and finally get some relief.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat's the best medicine to dry up a runny nose caused by allergies?Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.A nasal steroid spray is the first line of treatment, like Flonase or Nasacort. They treat allergies and diminish sneezing, irritation, and runny nose.
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QuestionWhat can I use to soothe my nose when it's raw from blowing it so much?Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.Using a saline gel moisturizer can help with irritation and rawness caused by blowing your nose.
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Tips
- When a runny nose is caused by sickness, it helps to know the difference between the flu and the common cold . That way, you can treat the condition more effectively.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- When you're sleeping, try to elevate your head by propping yourself up with pillows (or using a wedge pillow).
- Eat tomato soup or any other warm foods—that can help you to feel better as you recover from a runny nose.
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Warnings
- Since a runny nose can also be a symptom of coronavirus (COVID-19), evaluate any other symptoms you might have to identify and diagnose coronavirus.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Choose-Water-for-Healthy-Hydration.aspx
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/index.html
- ↑ https://www.cochrane.org/CD010591/ENT_capsaicin-non-allergic-rhinitis
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/index.html
- ↑ https://blog.providence.org/blog-2/congested-essential-oils-to-the-rescue
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003049.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003049.htm
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003049.htm
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/stuffy-or-runny-nose-adult
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/stuffy-or-runny-nose-children
- ↑ https://www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/how-to-clear-a-stuffy-nose/
- ↑ https://acaai.org/allergies/symptoms/runny-nose-stuffy-nose-sneezing/
- ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/why-do-we-need-sleep
- ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/self-how-to-clear-a-stuffy-nose-fastand-get-back-to-breathing-normally/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you have a runny nose, sit in your bathroom and let the shower run until the steam starts to relieve your nasal pressure. If your nose is still running, use a nasal wash or saline spray, which can help remove the mucus that’s making your nose run. An over-the-counter decongestant can also help dry out your nasal passages, although an antihistamine is a better option if you think your runny nose is due to allergies. Keep reading to learn about some of the underlying causes of a runny nose, including a sinus infection or the flu!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 5,895,630 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I have been wondering forever if I am suppose to use an antihistamine or a decongestant. You finally answered that for me. Besides that, learning the pressure points plus how to use them correctly and finding out what the cause is – most important!" ..." more
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"I have been wondering forever if I am suppose to use an antihistamine or a decongestant. You finally answered that for me. Besides that, learning the pressure points plus how to use them correctly and finding out what the cause is – most important!"
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"It was really urgent for me to get some effective tips for treating a runny nose as I have been suffering from this for a terribly long time. Thanks to wikiHow for all the tips related to it. I really look forward for more of these from you guys!"
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"Ipratropium bromide is the only thing that has worked for me. I saw an allergy specialist and had allergy testing; results were no known allergies. I've used it for the last 18 months, but still don't know what's causing my daily runny nose."
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"Method No.4. Using a tissue is most effective if you are suffering from the common cold. The reason for this is constant blowing of the nose irritates the membranes, thus producing more mucus which requires more blowing."
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"Hot showers and using the steam for congestion helped. It works great and helps relieve stuffiness immediately. Plus, it soothed my sinuses which is making my cold a lot easier to deal with."
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