2022 Southern Medical Research Conference
Home Remedies For A Runny Nose
On its own, a runny nose isn't usually a cause for concern. If you don't have any other symptoms, there are several ways to manage a runny nose at home with natural self-care options that don't involve medication.
Let's take a closer look at some of the at-home treatments that may help a runny nose.
1. Drink plenty of fluidsDrinking fluids and staying hydrated when dealing with a runny nose can be helpful if you also have symptoms of nasal congestion.
This ensures that mucus in your sinuses thins out to a runny consistency and is easy for you to expel. Otherwise, it may be thick and sticky, which can make your nose more congested.
Avoid beverages that dehydrate rather than hydrate. This includes drinks like coffee and beverages containing alcohol.
2. Hot teasOn the other hand, hot beverages like tea may sometimes be more helpful than cold ones. This is because of their heat and steam, which help open and decongest airways.
Certain herbal teas contain herbs that are mild decongestants. Look for teas that contain anti-inflammatory and antihistamine herbs, such as chamomile, ginger, mint, or nettle.
Make a cup of hot herbal tea (preferably noncaffeinated) and inhale the steam before drinking. Sore throats often accompany runny noses — drinking hot herbal tea can help soothe a sore throat, too.
3. HumidifierAccording to a 2019 study, inhaling warm steam from a humidifier significantly improves mucus buildup caused by allergic rhinitis.
Similarly, a 2015 study of people with the common cold found that using steam inhalation was quite effective. It reduced illness recovery time by about 1 week compared to no steam inhalation at all.
Humidifiers work by transforming water into vapor to moisten otherwise dry air. When you breathe in moisture, it helps to thin and dislodge mucus and soothe irritated sinuses.
If you decide to use a humidifier, it's important to clean it regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Otherwise, it can become a breeding ground for microorganisms such as mold and bacteria, which can exacerbate sinus problems.
4. Facial steamMuch like a humidifier or a hot cup of tea, a facial steam can help loosen mucus and relieve your runny nose. Here's how to do it:
If desired, add a few drops of decongestant essential oils to your facial steam water. About 2 drops per ounce of water is sufficient.
Eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, rosemary, sage, spearmint, tea tree (melaleuca), and thyme essential oils are great options. Compounds in these plants (like menthol and thymol) are also found in many over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants.
If you don't have these essential oils, you can use these herbs in dried form instead. Make your facial steam into an herbal tea and inhale the vapors — you'll get the same benefits.
While research suggests there are health benefits, the FDA doesn't monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. It's important to talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand's products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.
5. Hot showerNeed some quick relief? Try a hot shower. Just like humidifiers and facial steam, a shower's hot vapors can help alleviate a runny and stuffy nose.
Place your face and sinuses directly in the steam and spray of the shower for best results.
6. Neti potUsing a neti pot for nasal irrigation (also called nasal lavage) is a common approach to sinus issues. This includes runny nose problems and discomfort.
Neti pots are small teapot-like containers with a spout. You add a warm saline or saltwater solution to the pot and then pour the solution through one nostril and out the other. This rinses out your sinuses quite thoroughly.
You can purchase a neti pot kit at your local pharmacy, store, or online. Make sure to follow directions for your neti pot exactly. Improper use of neti pots can, on rare occasions, make runny noses worse or cause sinus infections.
Make sure to use sterile and distilled water rather than tap water.
7. Nasal sprayNasal sprays are a common OTC treatment for a runny nose. While medicated nasal sprays are available, saline nasal sprays are a natural treatment to help rinse the nose.
Much like nasal irrigation, they target nasal congestion and mucus using gentle salt water.
According to a 2021 study of people with upper respiratory infections, the use of a saline nasal spray improved symptoms including a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sleep quality.
You can purchase a saline nasal spray at a neighborhood pharmacy or online.
8. Warm compressApplying a warm compress or washcloth to your forehead and nose several times per day may help improve your runny nose and soothe sinus pressure.
A warm compress works by boosting blood circulation in your sinus area. A washcloth or wet compress can help break up nasal stuffiness by adding moisture to the air you breathe.
To make your own warm compress at home, soak a clean cloth in hot (not boiling) tap water and place it across your forehead and nose for 15 to 20 minutes. Reapply as needed.
9. Eating spicy foodsSpicy foods can make a runny nose worse. However, if you're also having symptoms of nasal congestion, eating spicy foods may help.
If you can tolerate a bit of heat in your food, give it a try. If you're unaccustomed to spiciness, try a small amount of spicy seasoning at first to see if it helps.
Hot spices like cayenne pepper, ghost pepper, habanero, wasabi, horseradish, or ginger are great options. These spices, while also creating a feeling of heat when eaten, dilate passageways in the body and can relieve sinus issues.
10. CapsaicinCapsaicin is the chemical that makes chili peppers spicy. It's been used to treat nerve pain and psoriasis, but if you apply it on your nose, it can help with a runny nose caused by congestion.
Several studies have found that capsaicin is more effective at treating runny noses than the OTC medication budesonide.
How To Combat Dry Skin On Your Nose
© CGN089/Shutterstock Dry skin on nose Dry and flaky skin on your nose is never a pretty thing. In fact, it can be frustrating when the rest of your face looks and feels hydrated and your nose stubbornly refuses to get the memo.
If you woke up with a runny nose a few days ago and have been blowing into a handkerchief or tissues the whole week, this could explain why the skin around your schnoz is especially dry, according to board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel. But this isn't the only reason. Environmental factors like dry or cold weather, UV damage and even irritating ingredients found in your skincare products can be culprits. If you have combination skin, you may be prone to seeing dry skin in some parts of your face as opposed to others.
In some cases, dry skin on your nose can be indicative of skin conditions like rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis. While these might require a visit to the dermatologist, common causes for dry skin on your nose can be tackled with some simple things you can be doing at home.
Try These Tricks At Home
© Prostock-studio/Getty Images Woman touching nose Taking stock of what you're putting on your face would be a good place to start with tackling your dry nose. Are any of the products you're using overly drying out your face, especially your nose? Retinoids, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide are some common ingredients that cause dry skin. Cut back or reduce their use to see if it makes a difference.
Moisturizing your nose can also help. In addition to reducing dryness, moisturizing creams that contain petroleum jelly, ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid can soothe irritated skin. But be careful not to overdo it as this can affect the skin barrier. New York-based dermatologist Dr. Michele Green says that balance is everything with skincare, and this goes for exfoliating, washing your face, and moisturizing. If you think you can exfoliate away the pesky flakes you see around your nose, you're wrong. Wearing sunscreen with SPF protection whenever you go out can combat peeling skin around your nose too.
Your diet and hydration habits are next. Omega-3 and antioxidants are your best friends here, so load up on turmeric, broccoli, spinach, and green tea for antioxidants and fish for omega-3. Drinking plenty of water is a must as well. If you're dealing with peeling skin in the winter months when you're stuck indoors with a heater, it goes without saying that dry air could be the cause. A humidifier can help at such times.
How To Deal With Skin Conditions That Cause Dry Skin On Your Nose
© Alexx60/Shutterstock Skin condition on nose While most cases of dry skin on the nose can be managed at home with some simple lifestyle changes, skin conditions like rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis require a more concentrated effort. You can start by consulting with your doctor. When it comes to rosacea, which is a chronic genetic condition, your dermatologist might ask you to avoid using products that contain alcohol, fragrance, glycolic acid, lactic acid, menthol, or sodium laurel sulfate. What they would prescribe, instead, are gels that contain brimonidine or oxymetazoline. These are topical applications that combat the flushing -- the red skin -- that is often characteristic of rosacea.
"Seborrheic dermatitis can present with dry, flaky, and red skin around the nose and can be treated with topical antifungal creams," shared New York-based board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Y. Claire Chang with Byrdie. Seborrheic dermatitis, otherwise known as dandruff, commonly appears on the creases of your nose and can come on during acne-prone years or middle age and beyond.
The important thing to remember is that skincare professionals often have useful advice on the best ways to treat dry or dehydrated skin. Trying to tackle an underlying skin condition that's causing dry skin on your nose by yourself may not be a good idea.
Read this next: Things People With Great Skin Do Every Day
DR MARTIN SCURR: Why Have I Always Had A Runny Nose For 30 Years - And What Can I Do To Make It Stop?
My nose drips all year round — summer and winter, in warm weather and cold, whether I'm inside or out. I've had this problem for years and it is embarrassing. Is there anything I can do?
Jess Webster, Dundee.
Having a constantly dripping nose is a common problem, affecting around one person in ten. It is known medically as chronic rhinitis and there will often be persistent sneezing and a blocked feeling in the nasal passages, too.
It can be seasonal or felt all year round, and more often than not it is caused by an allergy. But in your case I think something else is at the root of it.
In your longer letter, you say you have had the problem since your mid-30s (you are now 70) and that you have tried various allergy-suppressant medications (tablets or nasal sprays) but they made no difference.
Having a constantly dripping nose is a common problem, affecting around one person in ten. [File image]
This makes me think that you have chronic — i.E. Persistent — non-allergic rhinitis. In this case, the endless runny nose results from irritation of the nasal lining, a spongy membrane that has a prodigious population of mucus-secreting cells (as well as tiny blood vessels).
For unexplained reasons, the lining can become overly sensitive to a range of chemical and physical factors, including a drop in temperature, dry air, pollution, stress, spicy foods and even perfume. This triggers the mucus-secreting cells into action, leading to spontaneous streaming.
I like the term 'irritable nose syndrome', as it neatly encompasses what's going on here.
Hormones can play a part: menopause, pregnancy and oral contraceptives can all encourage rhinitis, as can a number of other drugs, such as ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure, and certain medicines used for erectile dysfunction and depression.
One possible explanation is that the mechanisms controlling the flow of blood to the lining of the nasal passages are over-sensitive — so with little or no provocation, more blood flows there, which encourages a blocked-up sensation and triggers the cells in the nasal lining to produce mucus.
I regret to say there is no cure. I must also caution against excessive use of over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays. Although they may be briefly helpful, there is always a rebound effect, with worse symptoms if they are used continuously for more than a week or two.
Similarly, corticosteroid nasal sprays can cause problems if used long-term; while the drugs reduce inflammation, they can lead to atrophy (irreversible thinning) of the nasal lining, which ultimately causes excessive dryness and discomfort (a condition called atrophic rhinitis).
Hormones can play a part: menopause, pregnancy and oral contraceptives can all encourage rhinitis. [File image]
There is one antihistamine spray, azelastine (taken twice a day) which can prove helpful for your type of rhinitis, possibly due to its anti-inflammatory effect rather than specifically its anti-allergy effect. Your GP may agree to prescribe this for you.
You can also ask them about a prescription for ipratropium — the best results I've seen for your type of rhinitis are with this nasal spray. It works by drying nasal secretions and should be used on an intermittent basis — i.E. In circumstances that you know trigger a runny nose — and may be helpful in offering you some relief.
My right hip is arthritic and painful and I've been recommended a hip replacement procedure. But I also have a low blood platelet count. Should I go ahead with the operation?
Margaret Mullinger, Somerset.
Balancing the pros and cons of surgery is an issue that will affect all readers, so thank you for your letter. In your case, I'm happy to say there will be a lot of pros — in that mobility and pain should be improved — and very few cons.
You say in your longer letter that you have thrombocytopenia, an auto-immune condition in which the body starts attacking platelets — tiny cells within the blood that are vital for clotting — or doesn't produce enough of them. When you are injured, platelets stick together to form a plug to seal the wound.
A normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets per microlitre of blood. With thrombocytopenia, levels can drop to 20,000, causing symptoms such as multiple tiny bruises, bleeding gums or nosebleeds.
Treatment options include steroids or immunosuppressants such as mycophenolate and azathioprine, which work by reducing the immune response that is causing the attack on platelet production. Alternatively, patients may be offered surgery to remove the spleen (part of the immune system that may be involved in the attack on platelets).
Hip replacement operation causes some damage to the bone of the pelvis in order to implant a new socket, which creates a bearing surface for the replacement hip joint. [File image]
More recently, drugs such as eltrombopag (a daily pill) that stimulate the receptors involved in platelet production have proved to be effective.
It is true that a hip replacement operation causes some damage to the bone of the pelvis in order to implant a new socket, which creates a bearing surface for the replacement hip joint. This will inevitably have a small disruptive effect on the bone marrow at the site, where platelets are made.
However, let me reassure you that the operation won't have any effect on the remainder of the bone marrow throughout your skeleton, or significantly harm your platelet production.
Given that your right hip is arthritic and painful, my advice is that you should go ahead with the operation. It is a safe and effective way to relieve chronic pain and restore your mobility.
Write to Dr Scurr
Write to Dr Scurr at Good Health, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY, or email: drmartin@dailymail.Co.Uk — include contact details. Dr Scurr cannot enter into personal correspondence. Replies should be taken in a general context. Consult your own GP with any health worries.
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