7 Runny Nose Remedies That Actually Work

A runny nose, medically referred to as Rhinorrhea, is a very uncomfortable condition that’s typically caused by the common cold. Rhinorrhea occurs when excess mucus production in your nasal passages leads to a watery secretion that drips from your nose and down the back of your throat. While most people experience a runny nose due to viral infections, such as the common cold, other causes such as sinusitis, allergies, or cold weather may be to blame. Occasionally, a chronically runny nose may be a call for concern, however, rhinorrhea can usually be managed at-home using the natural remedies we’ve described below.

Sleep

Your body repairs itself while resting. Studies have shown that our bodies produce special proteins, known as cytokines, while we sleep that are vital for fighting infections. In addition to giving you a much needed break from blowing your nose, sleep improves our immune system’s ability to fight off the common cold and other sinus infections.

Humidifier

Humidifiers transform dry air by converting water to vapor. Inhaling moisture helps thin and dislodge mucus by soothing your irritated sinuses as well as significantly improves mucus buildup caused by allergies. Simply putting a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep at night can drastically improve your Rhinorrhea. Although, always keep in mind that it’s essential to regularly clean your humidifier as it can eventually grow mold or bacteria, which can actually worsen your conditions.

Steam

Similar to the humidifier, inhaling steam can help soothe and thin the mucous membranes lining your nose, which helps drain your mucus much faster. To safely breathe in steam, try sitting in the bathroom while warm water is running, or you can breathe in steam from a bowl of hot (not boiling) water.

Drink Water

Staying hydrated when dealing with rhinorrhea can improves your uncomfortable runny symptoms. Avoid beverages like coffee or alcohol, rather you want to drink water so that the mucus in your sinuses thins which makes it easier to blow your nose. We recommend you drink warm noncaffeinated herbal teas such as chamomile, mint, or ginger. Drinking tea simultaneously hydrates as well as provides steam, both of which opens your airways.

Neti Pot

A neti pot is specifically designed to help you flush out mucus, which rinses particles from your nose during times of rhinorrhea. When using a neti pot, simply bend your head sideways over the sink and place the pot’s spout in your upper nostril, let the water drain down to your lower nostril.

Eat Spicy Food

If you can handle a bit of heat in your meals, give this solution a try. Eating hot spices can dilate passageways in your body as well as relieve sinus issues. While this solution doesn’t work for everyone, as those who can’t handle spicy foods may actually experience worse symptoms afterwards, those who enjoy spicy meals may find relief.

Saline Nasal Spray

Over-the-counter saline nasal spray can help clear congestion from allergies or common colds. Nasal spray opens up your sinuses by washing out particulate matter such as pollen, pet dander, dust, and so much more that can all lead to a runny nose. Additionally, nasal spray helps soothe dry, irritated sinuses.

O2 Nose Filters

The best way to ensure that you don’t inhale particulate matter is by ensuring that it doesn’t enter your sinuses in the first place. O2 Nose Filters have been proven in controlled studies to help protect wearers from inhaling harmful airborne particles such as bacteria, viruses, dust, exhaust fumes, and other pollutants. Independent laboratory tests demonstrate that 3M’s Advanced Electret Media in O2 Nose Filters block 90% of particulates at PM10 and 65% of particulates at PM2.5. Additionally, O2 Nose Filters are comfortable to wear due to their latex-free design and medical-grade Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) materials.

O2 Nose Filters provides inexpensive and effective security to protect people from harmful airborne diseases. While our nasal passageways try their best when it comes to filtering harmful particulate matter, they aren’t perfect. That’s why O2 Nose Filters are such an effective solution when it comes to improving our mental and physical health. Nose filters are a discreet, effective option to protect against uncomfortable runny nose symptoms.