Stop your Nose from Running instantly
1. Drink plenty of fluids
Drinking fluids and staying hydrated when dealing with a runny nose can be helpful if you also have symptoms of nasal congestion.
This ensures that mucus in your sinuses thins out to a runny consistency and is easy for you to expel. Otherwise, it may be thick and sticky, which congests the nose even further.
Avoid beverages that dehydrate rather than hydrate. This includes drinks like coffee and alcoholic beverages.
2. Hot teas
On the other hand, hot beverages like tea may sometimes be more helpful than cold ones. This is because of their heat and steam, which help open and decongest airways.
Certain herbal teas may contain herbs that are mild decongestants. Look for teas that contain anti-inflammatory and antihistamine herbs, such as chamomile, ginger, mint, or nettle.
Make a cup of hot herbal tea (preferably non-caffeinated) and inhale the steam before drinking. Sore throats often accompany runny noses — drinking hot herbal tea can help soothe a sore throat, too.
3. Facial steam
Inhaling hot steam has been shown to help treat a runny nose. A 2015 study of people with the common cold proved that using steam inhalation was quite effective. It reduced illness recovery time by about one week compared to no steam inhalation at all.
In addition to inhaling steam from a hot cup of tea, try a facial steam. Here’s how:
- Heat clean water in a clean pot on your stove. Heat it just enough so that steam is created —DON’T let it get to a boil.
- Place your face above the steam for 20–30 minutes at a time. Take deep breaths through your nose. Take breaks if your face gets a too hot.
- Blow your nose afterward to get rid of mucus.
If desired, add a few drops of decongestant essential oils to your facial steam water. About two drops per ounce of water is sufficient.
Eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, rosemary, sage, spearmint, tea tree (melaleuca), and thyme oils are great options. Compounds in these plants (like menthol and thymol) are also found in many over-the-counter decongestants.
If you don’t have these essential oils, use these herbs in dried form instead. Make your facial steam into an herbal tea and inhale the vapors — you’ll get the same benefits.
4. Hot shower
Need some quick relief? Try a hot shower. Just like a hot tea or facial steam, a shower’s spray can help alleviate a runny and stuffy nose.
Place your face and sinuses directly in the steam and spray of the shower for best results.
5. Neti pot
Using a neti pot for nasal irrigation (also called nasal lavage) is a common approach to sinus issues. This includes runny nose problems and discomfort.
Neti pots are small teapot-like containers with a spout. You add a warm saline or saltwater solution to the pot. You then use the pot to pour the solution through one nostril and out the other. This rinses out your sinuses quite thoroughly.
Purchase a neti pot kit at your local pharmacy, store, or on Amazon. Make sure to follow directions for your neti pot exactly. Improper use of neti pots can, though rarely, make runny noses worse or cause sinus infections.
Reasons You cannot Stop your running Nose
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