Why Won’t My Nose Stop Running?
If your nose won’t stop running, you may have rhinitis. Symptoms of rhinitis include a clear, runny discharge that is caused by the swelling or inflammation of your nasal tissues.
When you have rhinorrhea, this means that your nasal cavity is filled with lots of thick liquid called mucus. Rhinorrhea is a common symptom if you have a cold or allergies such as hay fever.
Even if you are not sick, your nose will contain a lining of mucus that traps disease-causing germs and other potential viruses that could make you sick if they enter your body. Your nose contains hair-like structures called cilia that transport the mucus from the front of your nose to the back of your nasal passages and then down your throat.
How to Stop a Runny Nose in Adults
If you want to know how to stop a runny nose fast, there are several methods that may be effective in removing the excess mucus from your nose. Some methods include:
Salt water – Salt water is an excellent natural remedy for clearing up a runny nose. It has antibacterial properties that can be helpful for use during allergy season. Use salt water by mixing one-half teaspoon of table salt with two cups of warm water. Use a dropper to place a few drops of the solution into each nostril. Then gently inhale to bring the solution further into your nasal passages. Blow your nose afterward to clean out any excess mucus or fluids.
Turmeric – Turmeric is a spice that is beneficial for many health conditions. It has strong antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Mix one cup of linseed oil and one-half teaspoon of ground turmeric and cook it at a low heat over the stove until it starts smoking. Inhale the smoke through each nostril for several minutes.
Ginger – Ginger is also a strong antioxidant that has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It may help loosen the phlegm in your nose to offer some relief. Use ginger by cutting up slices and chewing it raw. You can mix it with honey if the flavor is too strong.
Neti pot – If you have a runny nose, consider trying a Neti pot to clean out the mucus in your nasal passages. Neti pots are small, teapot-shaped vessels that have a long spout on one side. Add a solution of warm salt water to the container and insert it through one of your nostrils. The solution will come out on the other side of your nose. Make sure to carefully follow the directions that come with your Neti pot and use distilled water to prevent a sinus infection.
Facial steam – The mist from hot steam has been shown to help alleviate a runny nose. Heat up a pot of water on your stove. Heat it just enough to prevent the water from coming to a boil. Then take deep breaths from the steam for several minutes. Do this repeatedly and then gently blow your nose when you are done. You can also add a few drops of essential oils such as tea tree, spearmint or peppermint, eucalyptus, pine, or thyme to the hot water.
Hot shower – If you want to get rid of your runny nose fast, try a hot shower. Similar to the steam from a facial steam, the spray from a hot shower may provide quick relief and help alleviate a runny nose and swollen nasal passages.
Hot tea – Hot beverages like tea can also be very helpful to stop a runny nose. Again, the idea here is that the heat and steam from the hot liquid helps open up your nasal airways. Consider trying herbal teas that contain antihistamines and anti-inflammatories such as mint, nettle, ginger, or chamomile.
How to Stop a Runny Nose in Children
An infant or toddler’s runny nose may make them feel irritable or uncomfortable. Many times, a child’s runny nose will clear up on its own, but a runny nose can sometimes be serious in infants.
Consider seeing a doctor if your child’s runny nose hasn’t subsided after a few days, if it makes it difficult for them to breath or nurse, or if other symptoms arise, such as a fever or cough.
Some causes of a runny nose in children may include:
Allergic rhinitis – Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis is most commonly caused by allergies. When a child is exposed to an allergen such as pollen, it can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, clogged nostrils, and an itchy, runny nose. Other common allergens include insect bites, fumes from cigarette smoke, perfume, and animal dander. To determine any specific allergies, you may want to seek testing from your child’s pediatrician.
An object lodged in their nose – When a child’s runny nose or nasal stuffiness is just on one side, it may be because there is a foreign object lodged in their nose.
Infection – An infection such as an upper respiratory infection or the common cold often causes a runny nose in children. If the symptoms linger for more than a few days or your child gets other symptoms such as a fever or ear pain, consider seeing your pediatrician for a diagnosis and medication.
Some ways to stop a runny nose in children include:
Rubber suction bulb – For infants and toddlers, using a soft rubber suction bulb may help clear a runny nose. Use the suction bulb by squeezing the bulb and then gently inserting it into your child’s nose. Then remove your pressure on the suction bulb and suction out any mucus from your child’s nose.
Saline spray or rinse – Insert a few drops of saline rinse or spray into your child’s nose to help soothe the nasal membranes and thin out the mucus.
Humidifier – If your child’s runny nose is due to a cold, consider using a humidifier at bedtime to keep the air from getting too dry.
Causes of a Runny Nose
When you get sick, it is because germs or pathogens have gotten past your mucus lining. This is when your immune system takes over and produces proteins call cytokines. These cytokines send out B cells and T cells to look for and destroy the pathogens. The B cells and the T cells then communicate with other cells in your nose to make more mucus so that it will clear your body of any additional or dead germs.
As you nose produces more and more mucus, your mucus lining begins to get swollen and fills your nose with more and more fluid. Once the germs or pathogens are cleared from your nose, your immune system will tell your body that the coast is all clear and your mucus lining will start returning to a normal level.
Most of the time, your immune system is very good at distinguishing the cells that your body makes naturally from the disease-causing foreign cells that need to be combated. But sometimes your immune system doesn’t know when to shut off its germ-fighting response and goes into overdrive. This overkill response causes conditions like asthma or allergies.
Here are some other causes for getting a runny nose:
Decongestants – Decongestants are great for helping to dry out your runny nose when you have a cold. However, prolonged use of decongestants may actually make your runny nose or sore throat get worse.
Hunger – As you get older, the nerves to your saliva glands may get crisscrossed. Instead of an involuntary response like drooling when you smell or see food, your brain receptors may tell your body to give you a runny nose when eating instead.
Cheese – Researchers aren’t sure if it is an allergic reaction, but for some, smelling cheese may actually give you a runny nose.
Chronic Sinusitis – If you have been to the doctor several times with sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat among other symptoms, you may have a chronic sinus infection. Most commonly, this is because you may have undiagnosed allergies and there is an overload of mucus in your nasal passages. If you get recurrent sinus infections, consider seeing your medical professional to get allergy tests done.
Alcohol – Some people have allergies to certain chemicals in wine or the barley in beer. The reasons aren’t perfectly understood, but it’s possible that it’s an allergic reaction that makes you congested.
Dust – If you have symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, or even a cough, it may be caused by too much dust in your home. Other symptoms like blowing your nose as soon as you wake up in the morning because of a stuffy, runny nose might be because you were breathing in dust particles while you were sleeping. This is especially common in the winter time when you have your heat turned on much of the time.
Generally, a runny nose can be caused by anything that irritates your nasal tissues and membranes. Infections like the flu or the common cold are common factors for a runny nose. In some cases, you may have a runny nose for an unknown reason. This condition is called nonallergic rhinitis.
Other causes for a runny nose include:
Deviated septum
Drug addiction
Churg-Strauss syndrome
Hormonal changes
Nasal polyps
Dry air
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s)
Asthma
Pregnancy
Over the Counter Treatment for a Runny Nose
If your runny nose just doesn’t seem to go away and the mucus appears clear and thin, your symptoms may be allergy-related. An over-the-counter antihistamine or an allergy medication may help clear up your symptoms.
These over-the counter treatments may help stop a runny nose:
Antihistamine – If your runny nose symptoms are caused by allergies, then consider taking a medication that contains an antihistamine such as fexofenadine. If your runny nose is making it difficult to sleep at night, consider a night time antihistamine such as diphenhydramine.
Decongestant – If you have a runny nose from rhinitis, you may want to bring down the inflammation of your mucus membranes. Consider taking a decongestant that contains phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine. This may help reduce your nasal swelling.
When to See a Doctor For a Runny Nose
If your symptoms last for more than 10 days, it’s best to seek professional treatment. Similarly, if experiencing any of the following symptoms you may have a sinus infection and need an antibiotics prescription:
Green or yellow mucus
Blood in nasal discharge
If you think your runny nose is the result of an infection, seasonal allergies, or won’t go away after 10 days, book an appointment with PlushCare and talk to an online doctor today.
Read More About Runny Nose
Sources
cdc.gov. Preventing and Managing Common cold. Accessed on June 19, 2024 at https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/colds.html
mayoclinic.org. Nonallergic rhinitis. Accessed on February 7, 2021 at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonallergic-rhinitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351229
