The majority of us are all too familiar with this feeling when you are sneezing, your nose is running, and your handkerchiefs cannot keep up. A runny nose is not a disease but rather a sign of a severe cold. This form of cold is typically accompanied by excessive sneezing, a headache, and nasal irritation. Common causes of rhinorrhea include allergies, infection, inflammation, and even physical discomfort. The discharge released by the mucous membranes lining the inside of your nose causes a runny nose. It may occur in conjunction with illnesses that affect the nose itself, such as the common cold or hay fever. However, there are many treatments for runny noses that you can read about further in the article.
Symptoms of Runny Nose
Sometimes, both a runny nose and a stuffy nose, often known as congestion, are symptoms of the same underlying condition. Congestion is the result of the swelling of the tissues that line the inside of the nose, which makes it difficult to breathe. The swelling is a result of blood vessels becoming irritated. It is possible that mucus will start to drip out of your nose. It is possible that a runny nose caused by a cold or the flu will be followed by other symptoms such as weariness, a sore throat, cough, facial pressure, and sometimes even fever. If you suffer from allergies, you may also have sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose in addition to these symptoms.
Causes of Runny Nose
Here are some of the common causes of runny nose:
1. Common Cold
Runny NoseA runny nose is a common symptom of a cold because the blood vessels in the nose are more permeable when sick. Fluid or serum can leak into the nasal passages as a result of this. Having a runny nose on one side of your face is not uncommon, as is having a runny nose all the time. A common cold virus frequently causes rhinorrhea within the first two to three days of infection. For the first few days, mucus is normally clear and then turns yellow or even green.
2. Allergies
Runny NoseWhen your immune system overreacts to a foreign substance, you develop an allergy. A runny nose might be one of the signs of an allergic reaction. In the spring, pollen, blossoming flowers, weeds, and growing trees contribute to an increase in allergies. However, they can occur at any time. Many people cure their allergies with over-the-counter medications, but if you have more severe symptoms, you should see an allergist or doctor. Allergies can affect both children and adults, and they might occur only during certain times of the year or all year round. Talk to your doctor if you feel that your runny nose is due to allergies.
3. Cold Air
Cold AirCold air, rather than causing a runny nose to stop, can make it worse. As the air warms up, the amount of moisture content in the air decreases, making the air feel drier than it actually is. Because of the dryness of the air, your nasal membranes are drained of their moisture. The best defense may be a tissue in your mitten, which is frequent, but only lasts for a short time.
4. Spicy Food
It is not very clear why spicy foods make your nose run. Spiciness may wake up the nervous system, causing a sympathetic response that opens the nose's valves. This is called gustatory rhinitis. If you smoke or have allergic rhinitis, it's more likely that spicy foods will make you sick. People with gustatory rhinitis are more likely to get a runny nose from hot or spicy foods, but they could get a runny nose from almost any food.
5. Covid-19
Coughing, sneezing, and close personal contact are all ways by which the coronavirus (COVID-19) can be transmitted. Most symptoms appear 2-14 days after exposure and go away in around 14 days or less, depending on how severe they are. Remember that even if you have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, you still run the risk of contracting the disease. You should expect lesser symptoms if you've been vaccinated and tested positive for COVID-19.
Treatments for Runny Nose
Have a look at some of the effective treatment of runny nose:
1. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids
This will keep your nasal tissues wet, which will assist in relieving congestion.
2. Blowing your nose
Only use one nostril at a time when blowing out. Otherwise, you run the risk of creating pressure that forces mucus into your sinuses rather than allowing it to flow out naturally.
3. Use a humidifier
While a humidifier can aggravate indoor allergens like dust mites and mold allergies, an overly dry home can also irritate the nasal passages. The desired relative humidity range for the house is between 40 and 50 percent. If it exceeds this threshold, you create an environment where dust mites and mold can thrive.
4. Apply a warm, wet cloth
This is one of the most effective treatments for runny noses. Your sinuses, which may be irritated as a result of the dry air, can be helped by applying a warm, damp towel to your face multiple times throughout the course of the day.
5. Keep your head propped up
Keep your head elevated when you sleep, and use nasal strips if you suffer from snoring. Congestion can be cleared more easily if you keep your head up, and nasal strips enlarge the nasal passageways to allow for greater airflow.
6. Nasal saline rinse
The use of a nasal saline rinse can assist in clearing any mucus that has become caught in the nose while also removing allergies, viruses, and germs from the nasal passages.
7. Take decongestants
Decongestants dry out and narrow nasal passages that are swollen. But taking too many decongestants can make you feel jittery and raise your blood pressure. Doctors say that decongestants should not be used for more than three days.
Takeaway
A runny nose is one of the most common problems that people face today. However, there are many treatments for runny noses mentioned above that can help you with the problem. Do not forget to visit your doctor in case of swelling, pain in the throat, color change, coughing, etc.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How to stop a runny nose quickly?
A. A runny nose can be irritating but you can use the above-mentioned treatments to cure it.
Q. What are the ways to prevent yourself from getting a cold?
A. Cover yourself while going out in winter, wear appropriate clothes, and stay hydrated are some of the basic ways to prevent yourself from getting a cold.
Also Read: Home Remedies To Clear Stuffy Nose
