How to Get Rid of a Runny Nose

A runny nose can be caused by a variety of factors including a cold or virus, allergies and hay fever, medications, airborne chemicals, or triggered by changes in the environment. You can get short term relief by blowing your nose but chances are you'll have to repeat the process which can be distracting. Here are some ways to stop a runny nose

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Determine the cause of your runny nose.
   
   If your runny nose persists beyond several weeks, you should see a doctor to determine the cause. You may need allergy testing and an examination to rule out nasal polyps. If the cause of your runny nose is determined to be allergic in nature, you can take steps to avoid the potential allergens. There are also prescription allergy medications you can take on a daily basis to reduce your symptoms. If you have a cold or virus, most likely your symptoms will be short term and you'll only need symptomatic relief.
2. Irrigate your nasal passages.
   
   Irrigating your nasal passages with a salt water solution can help to clear out nasal secretions and remove some of the irritants that may be causing your nose to run. You can buy nonprescription saline nasal sprays at your local drugstore, but it's easy enough to make your own by adding a half teaspoon of table salt to a cup of water. Draw the solution into an eyedropper, hold your head back and drop a few drops into the back of your nose. Breathe in deeply and repeat several times to distribute the saline water throughout your nasal passages. You can then blow your nose to remove any residual water and nasal secretions.
3. Increase the humidity of the air you breathe.
   
   You want the air you breathe in to be moist to avoid further irritating already inflamed nasal pages. If you don't already have a humidifier, consider purchasing one for your home. There's some thought that keeping your nasal passages moist through use of a humidifier may ward off cold and flu viruses.
4. Take an antihistamine.
   
   Antihistamines work best for stopping a runny nose caused by allergies, although you may get some relief for a runny nose from other causes. One precautionary note, most antihistamines available at your drugstore can cause drowsiness. Don't use one if you'll be operating machine or driving.
5. Use drugstore nasal sprays only for short periods.
   
   Drugstore nasal sprays such as Afrin are quite effective, but you can experience a rebound effect after several days of usage. This means that your symptoms may become worse. If you need to use a nasal spray, use it only at night and for a three day period at most.