How To Get Rid Of A Runny Nose Fast

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A runny nose can be irritating, distracting, and frustrating to deal with. Although it's sometimes brought on by seasonal changes or allergies, a runny nose could also be a symptom of deeper illnesses, such as a cold, sinus infection, or even the flu. Start by treating your runny nose with simple home remedies and over-the-counter medications, looking for other symptoms that might point to a certain cause. If your symptoms persist or worsen, see a doctor. With lots of rest, hydration, and the right tips and tricks, you can clear your nose and breathe freely once again.

1
Use a nasal wash or spray to remove mucus. Saline sprays and washes are available at drugstores, and can help remove the mucus in your nose that's causing it to run. Choose a gentle one that's made for congested or runny noses and use it 3-4 times per day, following the instructions carefully.^[1]
- Avoid using a nasal spray for more than 5 days, as this can cause congestion to return.
2
Place a nasal strip under your nose to ease breathing. Look for nasal strips at the drugstore to clear your nose and help decongestion. Try strips made specifically for colds and congestion, and follow the directions on the box to place the strip over the bridge of your nose. Use it as often as directed on the packaging.^[2]
- Nasal strips are typically used at night, but if your runny nose is especially bad, you can use them during the day as well.
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3
Use a decongestant to help dry your nasal passages. Check the aisles in your drugstore for a decongestant medicine, typically pills, that will shrink and dry up your nasal passages. This can be a big help when you're trying to get rid of a stuffy or runny nose. Check the packaging to see how often you can take the medicine.^[3]
- Only use a decongestant for a 2-3 days. If overused, decongestants can cause congestion to return even more severely.
4
Try antihistamines if you think you're suffering from allergies. ^[4] If you think your runny nose might be caused by allergies, get an antihistamine product at your drugstore to ease symptoms. Take it as directed on the packaging, and read the side effects carefully as well—some antihistamines can make you drowsy.^[5]
- Common antihistamines include Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Allegra.
- A nasal steroid spray, like Flonase or Nasacort, can also help with a runny nose caused by allergies.^[6]
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1
Treat a sinus infection if you have a headache or swelling pressure. Sinus infections can sometimes cause your nose to run, particularly if the fluid is thick and yellow or greenish. Other symptoms include congestion, fluid draining down the back of your throat, and pain, swelling, or pressure around your eyes, cheeks, nose, or forehead. To treat a sinus infection, try:^[7]
- Doing an at-home steam treatment or applying a warm compress to your face.
- Using saline nasal sprays or nasal corticosteroids, which can treat inflammation.
- Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant for 2-3 days
- Taking an OTC pain reliever like aspirin, acetaminophen (like Tylenol), or ibuprofen (like Advil).
- Seeing a doctor if the infection doesn't clear within a week or so.
2
Avoid nasal irritants if you're experiencing allergies. A runny nose is a common symptom of allergies, which can be caused by a number or irritants, such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or foods. Notice if your nose starts to run more around certain materials and avoid those as much as you can, or take allergy medications to reduce symptoms.^[8]
- Other allergy symptoms include sneezing, itchiness around your face, and red or swollen eyes.
- You can also get rid of a runny nose from allergies by using saline nasal irrigation and reducing exposure to allergens by vacuuming frequently and washing bedding and stuffed toys in hot water.
3
Take cold medicines if you have other cold symptoms. One of the most common causes of a runny nose is the common cold. These symptoms are relatively easy to pick up on, including a sore throat, cough, sneezing, and body aches. To treat a cold, try:^[9]
- Taking pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (like Tylenol).
- Using decongestant drops or sprays for up to 5 days.
- Taking Cough syrup to ease a sore throat or cough.
4
See a doctor if you're experiencing flu-like symptoms. The flu can have similar symptoms to a common cold at first, including a runny nose, with the distinction that it will come on much more suddenly than a cold. Other symptoms include a fever over 100.4 °F (38.0 °C), aching muscles, chills and sweats, headaches, and congestion. If you think you have the flu, see a doctor as soon as possible and be careful not to spread it to others by washing your hands, covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and avoiding crowded places. To ease symptoms, try:^[10]
- Resting and drinking plenty of fluids.
- Taking an antiviral medication, if prescribed by your doctor.
- Using pain relievers, like acetaminophen (like Tylenol) or ibuprofen (like Advil) to ease achiness.
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1

Treat sinus pain and congestion with light pressure. Applying some pressure on the area around your nose with your fingers may help relieve congestion and headaches that come from having a runny nose. While some people think this can have a positive effect, evidence and research is lacking.

Press down 10 times on each corner of your nose, using very light pressure. Do the same thing on the area just above your eyes. Do this 2-3 times a day for sinus relief.
2

Sniff, swallow, or gently blow your nose to clear out fluids. Clearing the mucus from your nose is the best way to get it to stop running, so gently blow your nose into tissues when you need to. If your nose is extremely runny, rip a tissue in half, roll the pieces into 2 small balls, and place one in each nostril. Breathe normally, or through your mouth.^[11]

If you can, blow your nose with moisturizing tissues so you don't dry out the sensitive skin below your nose. If the skin gets irritated, rub on a bit of moisturizing lotion.

You might also feel mucus in the back of your throat that you can't blow out into a tissue. Try swallowing it down to get rid of the runny, clogged-up feeling.
3
Try an at-home steam treatment. To ease the pressure in your nose and help it stop running, take a hot bath or shower and let the room get steamy. You can also drape a towel over your head and lean over a pot or bowl of hot water, or turn on a hot shower and simply sit in your bathroom without actually getting in. Do this 2-4 times per day.^[12]
- You can also use a vaporizer or humidifier for the same effect.^[13]
- For an extra kick, add eucalyptus oil, camphor spirit, or peppermint oil. Pour a bit into your bowl of hot water, or flick some around your shower before you turn it on.
4
Place a warm, wet washcloth on your face to ease the pressure in your nose. Dip a washcloth into warm water, or run it under the sink until it's saturated. Wring it out until it's just damp, then place it over your face for 2-3 minutes.^[14]
- You can also wet the wash cloth, then heat it up in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or until it's warm.
5
Keep your head elevated when you lie down to ease congestion. Resting is important when your body is fighting off annoying symptoms like a runny nose. When you lie down to rest, prop your head up on a couple of pillows to encourage the fluids in your nose to drain naturally.^[15]
- This position will also help you breathe easier.
6

Drink lots of water and warm liquids to help the mucus drain. Keeping your body hydrated encourages the fluids in your nose to drain away, which will help your nose stop running. Try to drink a glass of water every hour or so, and mix in hot liquids like herbal tea or even soup to soothe your nose even more.^[16]
7
Make your own saline spray to clear out mucus. Mix 1 cup (240 ml) of warm water, ½ tsp (3 g) of salt, and a pinch of baking soda. Use a syringe, a small spray bottle, or a neti pot to apply the saline spray to the inside of your nose 3-4 times a day.^[17]
- Be careful not to overuse your saline spray, which can actually make your runny nose worse.
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Question

What's the best medicine to dry up a runny nose caused by allergies?

Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children's Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly's list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.

Board Certified Allergist

Expert Answer

A nasal steroid spray is the first line of treatment, like Flonase or Nasacort. They treat allergies and diminish sneezing, irritation, and runny nose.
Question

What can I use to soothe my nose when it's raw from blowing it so much?

Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children's Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly's list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.

Board Certified Allergist

Expert Answer

Using a saline gel moisturizer can help with irritation and rawness caused by blowing your nose.

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If your nose is irritated from blowing it so much, a saline gel moisturizer can help with the rawness.^[18]

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Article SummaryX

If you have a runny nose, sit in your bathroom and let the shower run until the steam starts to relieve your nasal pressure. If your nose is still running, use a nasal wash or saline spray, which can help remove the mucus that's making your nose run. An over-the-counter decongestant can also help dry out your nasal passages, although an antihistamine is a better option if you think your runny nose is due to allergies. Keep reading to learn about some of the underlying causes of a runny nose, including a sinus infection or the flu!

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