How to Stop a Nose From Running
There are many causes of a runny nose (rhinorrhea). They range from sinusitis and influenza to the simple common cold and usually result in a buildup of excess mucus and fluids to "run" from your nose and down the back of your throat. While sometimes a cause of discomfort or annoyance, a runny nose is usually not very serious, and with the help of a few at-home treatments, it will eventually dry or clear on its own.Things You'll Need
- Scarf
- Antihistamine
- Nasal spray
- Allergy-free pillow
Instructions
Protect your nose and face from sudden cold weather. A lot of runny noses occur at the beginning of the year's cold weather, and sometimes is a symptom of swollen blood vessels in the nose caused by the cold weather. Protect your face (and especially nose) with a scarf or high-zipped jacket.
Stay away from nasal irritants. According to the Mayo Clinic, a "runny nose can be caused by...allergies to dust, pollen or pet dander, or as a response to irritants such as tobacco smoke." Therefore, if you notice that you get a runny nose when you or someone around you is smoking, stay away from the smoke.
Remove allergens from your home and workplace. If there is a lot of dust in your home, for example, it may be causing your runny nose. Therefore, cleaning the dust and other microorganism irritants will help dry up the runny nose.
Switch to an allergen-free pillow. Because humans spend a significant amount of time sleeping, a pillow that is old or non-allergen free may be causing a runny nose. There are many allergen-free pillows on the market, and switching to one may improve not only your runny nose, but other respiratory functions as well.
Treat seasonal allergies with over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as antihistamines or nasal decongestants. You can find these medications at your local pharmacy, and your pharmacist can give you a recommendation for good antihistamine pills or nasal sprays that you can use temporarily or on a regular basis.