Do you have a runny nose? Why does a runny nose appear and what is it? Acute and chronic runny nose

When you notice that water “runs” from his nasal cavity, this means that your body is “attacked” by allergens or an infection. And then we begin to treat a runny nose.

Mucosal cells begin to intensively develop protection: snot containing enzymes and antibodies. The nasal mucosa forms mucin, a protein that makes snot thick. Within a few hours, the discharge changes consistency, becoming more viscous and transparent. At this point, an intensive fight against the infection with the human immune system takes place.

And here our task is simply to help the body in the fight against the disease. And it is important to do everything right, avoiding common mistakes. We will talk about this in this article.

How to cure a runny nose at home quickly? Here are the most characteristic mistakes that people with rhinitis most often make.

Common mistakes in the treatment of the common cold.

Urgent purchase of nasal drops. As soon as the first signs of a runny nose appear, many people buy drops and a nose. But at the same time, they do not consult with their doctor at all, trusting the advice of a pharmacist. A pharmacist is not a doctor. He does not know what is really most suitable for the patient. Most often they offer expensive medications. Expensive nasal drops are not at all the standard of effective and effective treatment runny nose.

Treatment of a runny nose with garlic and onions. Unfortunately, there are cases when the patient is advised by experienced “experts” traditional medicine treat a runny nose with onions or garlic. In their opinion, one of the components is enough just to be cleaned and stuffed entirely into the sinuses. In its pure form, garlic will simply dry out the nasal mucosa, which will certainly only aggravate the situation. Read on for how to properly use onion and garlic to treat a runny nose.

Uncontrolled intake of antibiotics. Self-medication has never done anyone any good. Therefore, before appointing them to yourself, you need to think carefully: are you doing the right thing and what it can give you. Some medical preparations in the treatment of rhinitis, in addition to benefit, they can also cause harm. You are not a doctor, and you cannot independently choose the drugs of this group. First of all, you need to undergo an examination, and then the doctor himself will select for you those drugs that will really cure rhinitis safely and effectively.

Warming up. The wrong method of therapy, when a person with a cold decides to warm up his legs in a very interesting way. Socks are soaked in a warming solution, put on, wrapped in plastic wrap, and the patient calmly goes to bed with the hope that everything will pass in the morning. And that at night the temperature rises to high levels, he does not think at all.

Under no circumstances should this heating method be used! In addition to harm, this “steam bath” will not bring anything to the body.

Incorrect rinsing of the nose. Treatment at home with lavages is effective, but this procedure should be done correctly. Rinse the nasal passages with saline solutions. They must be used very carefully. For example, if you inhale too deeply, there is a risk of the solution entering the ducts of the middle ear, which will lead to the formation of otitis media.

Lemon is useful for a cold.

Lemon - very effective remedy treatment of the common cold, which is good to use at the very beginning of the disease. Lemon juice is mixed in half with warm boiled water. This solution is used to wash the nose. This procedure is rather unpleasant, but very effective. But in order to really achieve an effect, such a procedure should be carried out several times a day, and you need to finish washing correctly, the result will depend on this.

After washing with a water-lemon solution, you need to do the following: add half a teaspoon of table salt to half a glass of warm boiled water, mix, moisten a cotton swab in the solution and alternately insert it into the nostrils.

Beet juice in the treatment of the common cold.

Squeeze out the juice from half of the beets, mix it until completely dissolved with a teaspoon of honey. Instill these drops into the nasal passages 4 times a day. The resulting product is tart, but fast-acting. Therefore, the treatment should not be stopped after the first attempt, you just need to get used to it. Start with very small doses and gradually increase as you get used to it.

Iodine and runny nose.

Before going to bed, smear your feet with iodine, put on your socks and go to bed peacefully. By doing this manipulation several times, you yourself will notice improvements in your health.

Garlic for rhinitis.

This is very effective remedy from a runny nose. The essence of this method of treatment is the retraction of vapors of garlic.

Prepare a jar with a tight lid, fill it with finely chopped garlic. Bring the jar to one of the nostrils, close the other with your hand. Start slowly and deeply inhaling the steam of garlic with an open nostril. But be careful not to accidentally suck in the contents of the jar.

Manipulation must be performed alternately with each of the nostrils, gradually increasing the time of inhalation of garlic vapors. Start from 3-4 times per hour, then decrease to 1-2 times per hour. By the end of the day, the rhinitis should pass, and the temperature should return to normal.

Vegetable oil in the nose.

Ordinary vegetable oil should be held in a water bath for 40 minutes. During this time, harmful substances will evaporate from it.

While the oil is sterilizing, chop up a quarter of an onion and 3 cloves of garlic and stir to combine. Fill them with cooled oil and let stand for several hours. During this time, all the healing properties of the ingredients will pass into the oil. Strain and lubricate the nasal mucosa with this remedy as needed. The result will not keep you waiting.

Treatment of the common cold with onions.

Cut the onion in half, remove the transparent thin film from it. Put one in each nostril, change every two hours. It is not necessary to do the procedure at night. Through a short time the disease will subside.

Horseradish inhalation.

Horseradish is rubbed on a grater, put into a container and tightly closed with a lid. After 15 minutes, open the container and inhale the steam through your mouth with full breasts. Hold it in for as long as you can and exhale through your nose. Repeating the procedure several times a day, neither a runny nose nor sinusitis will be terrible for you.

Salt water is a wonderful "doctor"!

Saline solution can be made at home. To do this, you need to take a teaspoon of sea salt and a liter of boiling water. Dissolve salt in water and rinse your nose with this solution up to 4 times a day.

Salt water gives good effect and is not dangerous for children and pregnant women. Salt is not expensive and does not cause allergies, so everyone can use it. In the pharmacy you can buy remedies for the common cold based on salt sea water, but home remedies are in no way inferior to him, but will cost several times cheaper.

Cold cocktail.

A special remedy will quickly help to cure a chronic runny nose.
For cooking, you need to prepare:

lemon juice -100 ml;
onion juice - 5 tbsp. l.;
garlic - 2 cloves;
lime honey - 1 tbsp. l.;
boiled water -150 ml.

All ingredients must be mixed and the resulting product should be drunk before going to bed. Important point! The cocktail can neither be drunk nor eaten.

We steam our feet with mustard!

Mustard is a super helper in the treatment of the common cold. It is necessary to do foot baths with mustard. After the baths are done, you need to wrap yourself in a warm blanket. For the procedure, you need to take a little mustard powder and stir in a bowl of very hot water. Lower your legs to the ankles and sit for 20 minutes. Water can be refreshed with boiling water to maintain the temperature. The above recipes have a positive effect in fast treatment runny nose.

Onions with sunflower oil.

Finely chopped onion, infused with sunflower oil, helps with a runny nose. This composition lubricates the nostrils. The runny nose usually goes away after a few days.

In addition to medicines, it is very important to observe hygiene conditions.

Regular airing of the room;
Maintaining optimal air humidity of 65%;
Systematic wet cleaning indoors;
Weather permitting, regular walks in the fresh air.

Massage of acupuncture points on the body with a cold.

You will need v massage oil. The points that can be acted upon to get rid of a runny nose are located not only on the face, but also on the body. Here are the most important ones.
Point number 1. Between the thumb and forefinger on outside arms.
Point number 2. On the inside of the wrists.

Point number 3. Under the occiput, where the head and neck connect. Impact on this point helps with many diseases, from hypertension to laryngitis.
In ancient treatises on Tibetan medicine, it is indicated that exposure to these points normalizes the condition of the nasal mucosa, and in addition, stimulates the immune system. That's why acupressure can also be used to prevent colds during mass epidemics of SARS and influenza.

Foot massage.

Acupressure facial massage for a cold.

This procedure will be especially effective if done at the very beginning of the disease. Massage should not be done if your temperature is above 37.5.
As a massage oil, you can use olive, coconut, sesame, peach, apricot, almond, or grape seed oil. Before starting the massage, hands should be washed and warmed. The face must also be clean.

Runny nose - inflammation of the nasal mucosa, in which mucous masses are released, and a burning sensation or dryness appears. For its treatment, drops, sprays, ointments and creams, as well as traditional medicine are used. With proper treatment, it disappears within a week.

Runny nose and its types

A runny nose or rhinitis is perfectly treatable if its type is determined in a timely manner. Lack of proper treatment can lead to sinusitis, otitis or sinusitis, that is, give complications to the organs of smell and hearing.

He can be:

a separate disease;
Symptom of the majority infectious diseases(SARS, influenza, tonsillitis and others);
The result of trauma to the nasal mucosa.

The development of a runny nose is greatly facilitated by hypothermia of a person, dustiness and gas contamination of the air.

Rhinitis is divided into 2 groups, infectious and non-infectious.

infectious

Spicy

Appears in infectious viral diseases. Has 3 phases.

Phase initial symptoms- itching, burning in the nose, fever, headache.

Catarrhal phase - 2-3 hours after the first phase. There is mucus secretion and difficulty in breathing.

The recovery phase is on the 5th-7th day of illness. The sinuses are cleared, breathing is restored.

Chronic

Occurs when the mucosa is irritated purulent secretions from the sinuses, congenital deformity of the septum, circulatory disorders of the mucosa.

hypertrophic

Growth of the mucosa and submucosa. Mucopurulent discharge appears and breathing becomes very difficult.

atrophic

With thinning of the mucous membrane. Dryness, crusts appear, the perception of odors decreases.

Non-infectious

Allergic

It is a reaction to an allergen. It can be seasonal (in response to flowering, poplar fluff), and year-round, if dust, pet hair, and certain products act as an allergen. Difficulty breathing through the nose, watery mucus and sneezing appear.

Vasomotor

Appears with the expansion of the blood vessels of the mucosa. It occurs due to hormonal imbalance, emotional experiences, exposure to smoke, gas, food with spices.

medical

Appears with the constant use of vasoconstrictors. The mucous membrane contracts under their action, but then swells with even greater force.

Traumatic

The causes are mechanical injury, chemical exposure, frostbite or burns.

Learn to blow your nose correctly by closing one nostril and opening your mouth;
Avoid contact with irritants (dust, cold air, strong odors, cigarette smoke);
When choosing drops or sprays, give preference to drugs on plant-based, for example Pinosola (pine, eucalyptus and mint oil) or Pinovita with a similar composition;
Rinse the sinuses with salt water, but not more than 3 times a day, so as not to weaken the protective functions of the mucosa;
Constantly ventilate the room and humidify the air.

Traditional treatment for the common cold

Treat a runny nose with drops, sprays, ointments and creams. Any drug has contraindications, side effects and the ability of the body to get used to it.

According to the effect, drops and sprays are:

Moisturizers - Aqua Maris, Aqualor with sea water.
Vasoconstrictor (reduce swelling and reduce the amount of mucus) - Naphthyzin, Sanorin, Nazivin, Xymelin, Dlyanos, Otrivin.
Antibacterial - Bioparox, Isofra.
Antiviral - Grippferon.
Phytopreparations - Pinosol and Pinovit with pine, mint and eucalyptus oils.
Combined (with vasoconstrictor, decongestant properties) - Hycomycin-teva.
Antihistamines - Vibrocil, Allergodil to relieve allergic rhinitis.

Ointments are:

Antiviral - oxolinic ointment 0,25%.
Antiseptic - Vishnevsky ointment, tetracycline ointment.
Combined - Levomikol, Evamenol with menthol and eucalyptus oil.
Homeopathic - Doctor Mom, Asterisk, Tuya ointment.

Also, in the treatment of rhinitis, inhalations are made over steam or using an inhaler or nebulizer with nozzles.

For this use essential oils(eucalyptus, sage, fir, pine) and boiled water or saline.

Treatment with folk remedies

Despite the large number of modern antiviral and antibacterial drugs, people do not stop using the advice of traditional medicine.

Here are the most effective ones:

Aloe Juice

Use neat or diluted with water at a ratio of 3:1. Do not be afraid of burning in the nose, it passes after a short time.

Kalanchoe

Make incisions on the washed Kalanchoe leaf, squeeze the juice and lubricate the sinuses with it.

Honey

Use neat (a small amount in each nostril) or dilute with water to make drops. For greater effect, make infusions with onions, beetroot juice, horseradish or aloe juice.

Salt

Take a small rag bag, calcine the salt in a clean, dry frying pan, put it in a bag and apply it to the bridge of your nose. Instead of salt, boiled eggs are suitable. In order not to burn the skin, lay a towel or napkin between your nose and hot eggs.

Onion

Take 1 tablespoon of squeezed onion juice and 5 drops olive oil, insist, instill in each nostril.

Take an onion, cut it, add half a glass of water and a spoonful of honey. Insist, strain and use as drops.

beetroot juice

Take 3 tablespoons of beetroot juice and one tablespoon of honey, insist and drip 2-3 times a day.

Garlic

Set fire to one head of garlic, and alternately bring the smoldering head to each nostril.

Treatment of the common cold in children

Runny nose in children is one of the most common diseases and does not always go away quickly. At the first symptoms, it is necessary to immediately begin its treatment in order to enable the child to breathe freely through the nose and sleep peacefully at night.

First, teach your child to blow their nose well, but gently. Then during the day, wash the nasal passages. For 1 cup of warm water, take half a teaspoon of salt and soda. Rinse with a teapot or from a saucer, drawing water in turn from each nostril, holding a little and blowing it back.

If the child is too small or the procedure is not good for him, then you can use drops based on sea water - Aqua Maris or Marimer.

The last step is the instillation of drops with a vasoconstrictor effect. For children, plant-based drops are suitable - Pinosol or Delufen, or chemicals Nizivin, Naphthyzin, Otrivin.

A very useful tool for children's runny nose there will be inhalations. They are made both over steam and with the help of an inhaler or nebulizer, using special nozzles.

Another useful advice- give the child as much to drink as possible, since when breathing through the mouth, he loses a large amount of moisture and the mucous membranes dry out. And do not forget about airing and ensuring the humidity of the room.

During pregnancy

A runny nose in women during pregnancy is very undesirable, like any other disease, especially if it is accompanied by fever.

When it appears, it is advised:

Plentiful drink;
Rinsing the nose with saline;
Gargling with water and soda;
inhalation or breathing over steam;
Ventilation and humidification of the room.

Pregnant women should not take antibiotics, alcohol preparations, essential oils, vasoconstrictors without a doctor's recommendation.

Conclusion

A runny nose or nasal congestion causes a lot of discomfort for both adults and children. Treating rhinitis from an early stage will allow you to get rid of it faster. Rinse your sinuses, ventilate and humidify the room, and most importantly - choose the right drops, spray, ointment or folk recipes based on the type of cold. This will make the treatment effective and shorter.

Myth. Whether the body manages to defeat viruses on its own, without drugs, depends on immunity and many other factors. It is better not to take risks and not let everything take its course: if you do not treat a runny nose, it may well turn into sinusitis, otitis media, pharyngitis, laryngitis, it can even end in bronchitis or pneumonia.

2. You can catch a runny nose if you get cold or get your feet wet.

Myth. With good immunity, neither hypothermia nor wet feet in themselves will lead to a runny nose. But if, due to these factors, the immune system weakens, it can easily become a target for viruses that attack it.

3. Washing the nose and gargling with saline solutions help not to get sick, and if you get sick, you will recover faster

Truth. This simple procedure helps to moisturize the nasopharyngeal mucosa, strengthening its local immunity, and clears it of mucus and microbes. The main thing is not to be lazy and do it every day, at least in the morning and evening, and if you feel that you are getting sick, once an hour or two. If you start gargling and rinsing your nose at the first sign of a cold, you can quickly defeat the virus.

4. Runny nose can be chronic

Truth. A runny nose, or scientifically called rhinitis, is usually just a symptom. It all depends on the cause of the disease. And if, for example, we are talking about allergies, then this symptom can really accompany for a long time, and in some cases (for example, with a deviated nasal septum or some endocrine diseases), you can suffer from a runny nose all your life. But if we are talking about a runny nose as a symptom of a cold (that is, SARS), and it does not go away a week after the start of treatment, and the discharge has become yellow or gray, then microbes are actively multiplying in the sinuses, and this is not a chronic runny nose. Not far from sinusitis, sinusitis, etc. Urgently see a doctor!

5. To get a runny nose, you need to be sneezed on you.

Myth. If this is a symptom of SARS, acute respiratory viral infection, then you can get infected by airborne droplets, and by direct contact with the carrier of the virus or even just his things.

6. Cold drops can be addictive.

Truth. It is not by chance that doctors advise using such remedies in the treatment of a cold only in the first 2-3 days, during acute stage when the nose is stuffed up, it pours out and it is impossible to breathe. Vasoconstrictor drops, if used for a long time, disrupt the nutrition of the nasal mucosa and vascular tone, they become more fragile. The elasticity of their walls is markedly reduced, and as a result, chronic atrophic rhinitis may occur.

Evgenia Shakhova

Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Physician the highest category, Chief Otorhinolaryngologist of the Health Committee of the Administration of the Volgograd Region

Acute rhinitis most often of viral etiology. The first period of the disease lasts from several hours to a day and is characterized by a feeling of tension, dryness in the nose. The second stage is characterized by copious discharge from the nose, congestion. At this stage, vasoconstrictor drops are usually used to improve breathing. But it is important to remember that without a doctor's prescription, they can only be used for a few days.

7. If you have a runny nose, it is better to refuse a handkerchief.

Both truth and myth. If we are talking about a fabric handkerchief, then this is absolutely true: after the very first use, it becomes a real breeding ground for germs. So disposable paper handkerchiefs are not only more convenient, but also more hygienic. If, from their frequent use, the skin turns red, irritated, use a softening cream or ointment with panthenol.

8. If you drip onion or garlic juice into your nose, you will quickly recover.

Myth. There is not a single serious scientific study confirming this. But in this way, you can easily earn a serious irritation of the already inflamed nasal mucosa or even burn it. It is much more useful to eat onions and garlic for food: phytoncides will help you recover faster.

9. If you warm up your nose and legs, you can get rid of a runny nose faster

Both truth and myth. In the acute stage of a runny nose, warming up the nose really helps to "dry the runny nose" - largely by improving the blood supply to the nasal mucosa and reducing swelling. But if microbes began to actively multiply in the sinuses, heat will accelerate their reproduction, and sinusitis or sinusitis may develop. That is why it is possible to warm the nose only in the initial, acute stage of the disease. As for hot foot baths, they are really useful at any stage of a cold: there are many reflex points on the soles of the feet, closely related to respiratory system and at the same time helping the immune system to cope with viruses faster.

Runny nose or rhinitis is an inflammatory process of the nasal mucosa. With the help of villi, the nose cleans and warms the air that enters the Airways. There are many reasons for the appearance of this unpleasant symptom. However, if you do not take timely treatment, then the disease will develop into chronic form.

Common causes of runny nose

The most common and well-known rhinitis is infectious. It is caused by viral microbes that enter the body with air. If a person's immune system is well developed, then the disease itself will pass in a few days. However, more often an unpleasant symptom needs additional medical treatment. Initially, it is necessary to determine the cause of a runny nose, and then carry out high-quality therapy. Doctors identify a lot of root causes of rhinitis:

various infections (viruses, bacteria);
congenital disorders of the structure of the nose;
allergies (dust, animal hair, plant pollen, feathers);
medications;
adenoids, if they begin to increase in size;
foreign bodies in the nose, as a rule, are the cause of a runny nose in children;
polyps are benign formations on the nasal mucosa;
violation of vascular tone in the nasal cavity;
atrophic rhinitis, characterized by an unpleasant odor from the nose and the release of green mucus.

Often, a prolonged runny nose can provoke other diseases. For example, thyroid problems. Due to its improper operation, insufficient hormones are produced, which provokes swelling of the connective tissues. An additional symptom, how rhinitis can provoke psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, Kartagener's syndrome.

Symptoms of a runny nose may vary depending on the stage of the disease. If a person’s immunity is good, then he will quickly destroy the causative agent of an unpleasant symptom. However, if the body is weakened, then the disease will develop. Doctors distinguish several stages of rhinitis:

Stage 1 - its duration is up to 48 hours. At this time, a person feels dryness in the mucous membranes, an unpleasant burning sensation and itching. For two days, breathing becomes difficult, and the patient ceases to smell and taste. At the same time, body temperature remains normal;
Stage 2 - the infection spreads rapidly, a lot of mucus is released from the nose, normal breathing becomes difficult. As a rule, the patient's ears are blocked, the temperature rises and sneezing appears. The disease is accompanied by headache and loss of appetite;
Stage 3 - occurs 5 days after infection. The mucous membrane of the nose is already very damaged by viruses, so blood clots and pus are released along with the mucus.

The familiar runny nose causes a lot of inconvenience and reduces the quality of life. So that the disease does not develop into a chronic form, it is important to consult a doctor at its first manifestations or start self-treatment.

Runny nose with blood

A runny nose with blood is not a cause for excessive panic. As a rule, an unpleasant symptom is not a sign of serious disorders in the body. The mucous membrane of the nose is covered with many capillaries. Sometimes some of the small vessels can be damaged, so the blood is released from them. An unpleasant symptom appears both in patients and in healthy people, it all depends on the strength of the blood vessels. There are several main reasons for the discharge of mucus with blood from the nose:

dryness in the nose, which leads to injury to blood vessels;
fragility of capillaries caused by a lack of vitamin C;
mechanical injuries of the nasal passages;
infections cause thinning of the mucous walls;
spasms of blood vessels in the brain;
increased intracranial pressure;
inflammation maxillary sinuses.

If a person finds blood along with snot, no need to worry too much! Initially, it is necessary to exclude all possible factors that could cause this unpleasant symptom. It is necessary to increase the humidity in the room and try not to injure the nose. It is important to stop using vasoconstrictor drops. If this is not possible, then their use must be reduced significantly.

Important! It is worth remembering that frequent blowing your nose damages the capillaries and provokes the release of blood.

Runny nose in chest

Runny nose in newborn babies most often appears in autumn and winter. At this time, a lot of infections develop that affect the fragile body. The disease brings discomfort to the baby, as well as worries to parents, who sometimes do not know how to help their child.

As soon as the child begins to sit or crawl, he can put any foreign objects in his nose. They irritate the inner shell, which provokes the release of mucus. In addition, the baby may develop an allergy to various objects. As a rule, these include dust, feathers, animal hair, plant pollen, as well as citrus and red products. Any violation of normal breathing through the nose in children leads to a variety of disorders. The process of face formation and chest, as well as the development of the respiratory and of cardio-vascular system. Parents need to take timely measures to eliminate rhinitis.

Important! For the treatment of a runny nose in a child, it is better to use homeopathic drops. They are not addictive, do not dry the mucosa and have no serious contraindications.

Runny nose during pregnancy is common. At this time, the woman's immunity is weakened, so she is susceptible to various viruses and infections. Sometimes an unpleasant symptom appears due to the production of hormones (estrogen and progesterone), which provoke swelling of the mucous membranes. Another reason is allergies and dry air.

For the treatment of rhinitis, different terms pregnancy, it is recommended to use folk remedies. Old "grandmother's" methods will effectively restore breathing and will not harm the unborn baby.

At home, rhinitis therapy can and should be carried out with improvised means. In addition, such treatment is indicated for everyone, regardless of age:

washing with a solution of salt or soda. To prepare the medicine, you need to dissolve 1 teaspoon of the product in 250 ml of warm water. The liquid is drawn in alternately, each nostril. Such therapy will moisturize the mucous membrane and expand the passage for air;
warming up. It is necessary to warm the legs, for this it is recommended to make warm baths and add mustard. To warm the nose well, you can use a boiled egg or well-heated salt. It is poured into a tissue bag and applied to the nose;
inhalation with a cold. The procedure can be done no more than 4 times a day. For her, onions and garlic, essential oils (eucalyptus, thuja) and medicinal herbs (mint, linden, calendula) are used;
cotton swabs based on honey, aloe, kalanchoe, propolis and mummy.
acupressure with a cold;
Before going to bed, it is important to ventilate the room.

Frequently asked Questions

During any illness, a person feels discomfort, so he wants to recover faster and return to his usual way of life. He often wonders what to do and when recovery will come.

Is it possible to warm the nose with a cold? Typically, treatment folk ways built on warming up the nose. Such a procedure is actually beneficial, as it increases the flow of blood, in which there are immunity cells. However, you should not do the procedure if the body temperature is elevated.
I lost my sense of smell with a runny nose, what to do? Lack of smell is normal with a runny nose. A person will feel all smells as soon as normal breathing is restored. This requires treatment.
How many days does a runny nose last? With proper treatment, the duration of rhinitis is no more than 5 days. However, each person's body is different, and this period may increase or decrease.
How to quickly cure a runny nose? Therapy must be carried out comprehensively. That is, to combine drug treatment with traditional methods.

If left untreated, rhinitis can lead to serious consequences. Chronic runny nose can develop into sinusitis or inflammation. In the early stages, the disease can be treated at home. For therapy, doctors recommend using:

drops (Naphthyzin, Nazol, Rinonorm, Ferveks);
spray (Rint, Nicorette, Polydex, Isofra);
antiviral tablets (Amizon, Tamiflu, Viferon, Arbidol, Anaferon).

Before using any medication it is important to read the instructions.

Allergic rhinitis (according to ICD 10 - J30) is a common disease that occurs in adults and children. There are many irritants that can provoke it. They may be outside...

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is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. The medical name for the common cold is rhinitis. A runny nose (or rhinitis) is most often awakened by viruses and microbes.

The mucous membrane of the nasal cavity is the primary barrier against infections, the villi on its surface trap dust and pollution entering the nose during breathing. In addition, the air in the nasal cavity is warmed to a comfortable temperature. Runny nose and colds often occur with hypothermia, local immunity weakens, and infectious agents get the opportunity to multiply and spread further along the nasopharynx and respiratory tract.

Causes of a runny nose

Runny nose may occur different reasons. The most common cause of the common cold are infectious agents - viruses, bacteria and fungi. The most common cause is viruses from the group of rhinoviruses, coronaviruses and adenoviruses. Then the disease is classified as infectious rhinitis.

Another cause of inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa is an allergic reaction. Allergens enter the nasal passages during breathing, causing swelling, mucus secretion and nasal congestion. In this case, the disease is classified as allergic rhinitis.

Allergic and infectious rhinitis require different approaches to treatment - to mitigate negative signs diseases in both cases, vasoconstrictors are used, which allows for a short time to ease the patient's breathing and moderate the secretion of mucus. However, with infectious rhinitis, it is necessary complex therapy with the use of antiseptic drugs, and in the treatment of allergic rhinitis are used hormonal agents and histamine receptor blockers.

Possible causes of a runny nose:

Infectious rhinitis. This type of rhinitis is more common than others and is familiar to almost everyone. Infectious rhinitis occurs in an acute form, most often it is caused by bacteria, viruses, less often fungi. If the patient has stable immunity, the infectious rhinitis ends quickly and without complications.

congenital causes. Developmental anomalies in the prenatal period disrupt the normal functioning of the nasal cavity and cause chronic rhinitis. Such causes include violations of the structure of the facial bones, curvature of the nasal septum, hypertrophy or deformation of the nasal cavities. Most often, a one-sided defect occurs when the deformed nostril does not function, and air freely enters through another cavity.

A rare cause of chronic rhinitis is Kartagener's syndrome. Another name for the pathology is primary ciliary dyskinesia. The disease disrupts the mechanism for removing mucus from the nasal mucosa due to improper functioning of the ciliated epithelium. The result of this is the stagnation of mucus in the nasal cavity and in the bronchi, the development of bronchitis, the transition of rhinitis into a chronic form.

Allergy. One of common causes the appearance in children and adults of a long-term chronic rhinitis - allergic rhinitis. It appears not only at the time of flowering, but also in winter, when, it would seem, there should be no reason for the appearance of an allergy.

wool of pets;

Down and feather of parrots;

Book, household, industrial dust;

Chemical substances detergents, varnishes and paints.

Medicinal rhinitis. Runny nose, which appeared as a result of taking medications, occurs for two reasons:

Rhinitis is side effect medicines (for example, drugs that reduce blood pressure);

There is a rebound effect after an overdose of a vasoconstrictor from a cold.

"Ricochet" rhinitis can develop as early as 4-5 days after the start of treatment for ordinary rhinitis with drops with a vasoconstrictive effect. Untimely cancellation of drops from the common cold leads to addiction to them by the nasal mucosa. Cancellation of the drug leads to increased swelling, increasing the dose leads to the resistance of mucosal cells to the active substance. The result of this situation is the persistence of rhinitis symptoms even at maximum doses. That is why it is not recommended to use vasoconstrictor drops for longer than the period specified in the instructions.

Foreign bodies. Most often, this cause of an atypical runny nose occurs in children of early preschool age.

The child can imperceptibly from the parents place in the nose:

Small toys and their details;

Pencils;

food particles;

Buttons;

Vitamins and small sweets;

Small stationery and household items;

A characteristic symptom of a foreign body in the nose is the discharge of liquid mucus from one nostril. With a long-term runny nose, an experienced otolaryngologist always first of all suspects the presence of a foreign body in the nasal passage. Fixed case chronic rhinitis, lasting for 20 years, the cause of which was a button that got into the nose in childhood. It was discovered in a woman quite by accident during an X-ray examination.

Due to chronic inflammation or allergic effects on the nasal mucosa occur benign. Formations reach a significant size, blocking the nasal cavities and blocking the flow of air.

Most often, polyps form in adults. If they are diagnosed in a child under 10 years of age, their possible cause is chronic sinusitis, cystic fibrosis. Often a combination of a polyp with an allergy to acetylsalicylic acid or yellow fruits.

Vasomotor rhinitis. The cause of the pathology is a violation of the regulation of the tone of the vessels of the nose. With this pathology, the parasympathetic nervous system, the nerve endings of which exhibit a vasodilating effect. The vessels of the nasal mucosa overflow with blood, it, the air does not pass through the nasal passages. Symptoms vasomotor rhinitis- sneezing, stuffy nose, discharge a large number mucus. They are aggravated under the influence of stress, cold, intense odors, spraying in the air. chemical substances with strong emotions.

atrophic rhinitis. This type of runny nose is rare, its cause is the thinning of the nasal mucosa, its atrophy due to a rare type of inflammatory process. It is provoked by such types of bacteria as Proteus, Klebsiella, as well as hereditary predisposition. Symptoms of atrophic rhinitis - ozena (discharge with a fetid odor), loss of smell, green mucus with the formation of crusts.

Runny nose as a symptom of other diseases. One of possible causes long-term runny nose becomes latent hypothyroidism - reduced function thyroid gland inadequate production of hormones. For this reason, the connective tissues of the whole body swell, including the nasal mucosa. As a result of edema, air flow decreases, congestion occurs. Clarification of the diagnosis is carried out by passing an analysis for thyroid hormones.

Another reason for the development of chronic rhinitis is autoimmune diseases:

Wenger's granulomatosis

systemic scleroderma,

Rheumatoid arthritis.

The symptoms of a runny nose differ depending on the stage of the disease:

The first stage lasts from several hours to two days. The patient at this time feels dryness of the mucous membrane, burning in the nose and continuous itching. Already at this time, breathing through the nose is difficult, the perception of tastes and smells is disturbed. The temperature is usually normal, occasionally (more often in children) slight hyperthermia can be observed.

At the second stage the virus actively multiplies, abundant discharge begins from the nose, it is impossible to breathe through the nose. Often, the patient's ears are blocked, the temperature rises, lacrimation and frequent sneezing begin. The disease is accompanied by headache, loss of appetite and other symptoms.

The third stage occurs 4-5 days after infection. The mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, damaged by viruses, is colonized by various bacteria, as a result of which mucopurulent discharge from the nose appears.

If a person's immune system is in good shape, the body is activated to fight infection. Puffiness gradually subsides, the sense of smell improves and recovers nasal breathing. After a few days, the person recovers. If a person’s body is weakened, without adequate treatment he may not be able to cope with the disease, in this case the worst thing is that various, including severe, complications may develop.

Runny nose without fever - what does it mean?

A runny nose that is not accompanied by an increase in body temperature may be a sign of a viral infection, in particular, this is typical for rhinoviruses. Nasal congestion, copious mucous discharge and difficulty breathing are the main symptoms this disease. Headaches, sore throat, stuffy ears and hearing loss may be added to them. Most often, this type of runny nose appears in adults and is a sign of good immunity, because in the process of fighting the infection, the hypothalamus, where the thermoregulatory centers are located, is not affected.

The cause of a runny nose without fever is hypothermia of the body, as a result of which it becomes more susceptible to infection.

Another reason for the occurrence of a runny nose without fever is individual characteristics the patient's condition. So, rhinitis can appear in women in the first trimester of pregnancy and in young children when their teeth erupt. Treatment in this case is purely symptomatic, since a runny nose is not a sign of a serious pathology, but develops due to weakened immunity.

Factors provoking the development of a runny nose without fever:

Air pollution with dust, toxic and irritating mucous substances. So, allergic rhinitis often develops as a result of constant contact with animals, passive or active smoking, being in a dusty room;

Hot spices when hit nasal cavity can provoke irritation of the mucosa and in the future cause the development of a runny nose;

Sharp changes in air temperature and humidity - for example, in the cold season, there is often a difference between low air temperature outside and elevated temperature in room;

Adenoid growths of the tonsils are a common cause of a runny nose in children;

When entering the nasal cavity foreign bodies runny nose acts as a symptom, this cause is also more common among children;

Polyps and other neoplasms in the nose, as well as an abnormal structure of the nasal septum, can provoke chronic rhinitis.

How to treat a runny nose?

There are certain rules, following which, you can quickly and effectively cure a runny nose.

It is important to learn how to blow your nose correctly so that blowing your nose does not lead to complications. An increase in pressure in the nasal cavity can cause bacteria to enter the Eustachian tube. Pathogenic microorganisms can easily cause otitis (inflammation of the middle ear). If you blow your nose incorrectly, you can damage the already irritated shell of the middle ear. Correct technique- gently blow your nose separately with each nostril, while opening your mouth so as not to increase pressure in the nasal cavity.

For effective treatment runny nose should not irritate the mucous membrane by exposure to cold, tobacco smoke, strong odors, dust, intense sneezing. Physical exercise increase the strength of breathing, so even in the warm season, you can increase the runny nose with fast walking and exercise.

It is impossible to increase the period of use of drugs with a vasoconstrictive effect without a doctor's prescription. Following the instructions, you can significantly reduce the risk of a "rebound" runny nose from using drops for more than 4-6 days.

Drops on a natural basis such as Pinosol effectively eliminate the symptoms of a runny nose. Its components (essential oils of eucalyptus, mint and pine) act as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Rinsing the nose with salt water removes dust, allergens, excess mucus, pathogens, and dried crusts from the nasal mucosa. This procedure is carried out at least 3 times a day, the optimal amount is 150-200 ml for each nasal cavity.

It is important to maintain the optimum temperature (+20+22°C) and humidity in the room where the children are. Too dry air in a home with central heating irritates the nasal mucosa, so it is imperative to use humidifiers. Be sure to ventilate the room, taking children out of it.

Children of younger preschool age do not have the opportunity to blow their nose, so the accumulated mucus makes it difficult to breathe with a runny nose. They remove the mucus from their nose with special devices. Rinse the nose in the same way as adults, children are allowed no earlier than 3 years.

Proper Treatment effectively relieves the symptoms of rhinitis. Since the nasal mucosa in children quickly absorbs the active substance of the drugs, it is better to use natural-based products. Ointment and drops are used to treat children from 2 years old, spray - from 3 years of age. The drug is not addictive, acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, its natural ingredients and oil base perfectly moisturize the nasal mucosa.

So that adenoids in children do not become a source of complications in the form of relapses of rhinitis and the appearance of complications, they are removed in a timely manner. The spread of pathogenic bacteria slows down the normal physical development of children.

How to treat allergic rhinitis?

The main rule is not to provoke allergic rhinitis by contact with the allergen. Prolonged inflammation of the nasal mucosa is complicated by sinusitis, the appearance of polyps, and mucosal hypertrophy. If the allergen gets on the skin and clothes, they are immediately removed.

To remove allergens from the nasal mucosa, it is washed with 1% saline solution, it is important to carry out this procedure before bedtime.

To prevent complications, modern antihistamines(Zodak), helping to stop the process, to prevent its transition to a severe form.

It is necessary to clarify the diagnosis, consult an otolaryngologist.

It is not necessary to provoke an increase in the symptoms of any kind of rhinitis by exposure to smoke, dust, spraying chemicals.

If it is impossible to accurately determine the cause of a runny nose, the patient's condition will improve markedly by washing the nasal cavity with salted water.

If a runny nose occurs, as a reaction to drugs (pressure drugs, contraceptives), you need to find analogues without side effects;

Should be carefully treated somatic diseases, manifestations of which may be a runny nose.

negative action vasoconstrictor drugs for the treatment of rhinitis, they are eliminated with natural-based drops that do not cause addiction, acting as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent at the same time.

If left untreated, a runny nose can lead to serious complications – inflammatory processes in the maxillary sinus, mucosa of the pharynx and larynx, acute or chronic otitis media, ethmoiditis.

But how to treat a runny nose? On the early stages runny nose, it is recommended to leave the house less often and contact with others. Although a runny nose in itself is not dangerous, but with improper treatment or its absence, it can disable a person for several days or even weeks. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid the spread of infection and create all conditions for a speedy recovery.

Therapeutic measures in the early stages include warming procedures for the legs, inhalations with therapeutic solutions with salt or essential oils, taking a large amount of liquid - tea, lemon drink with ginger, infusion medicinal herbs, rosehip decoction.

You should follow all the rules of hygiene of the nasal cavity and constantly clean it from excess mucus using disposable nosepieces. Care should be taken when cleaning the nasal passages under running water, as high blood pressure in the nasal cavity can contribute to the spread of infection, causing otitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, inflammation of the maxillary sinuses. It is necessary to clean the nostrils one by one, since with their simultaneous cleansing there is a risk of damage to blood vessels, the formation of couperose stars.

At the second stage of the disease, if all the preliminary procedures were ineffective, you can start using medications prescribed by your doctor. Vasoconstrictors for emergency treatment of nasal congestion are used for no longer than five days to avoid addiction.

To thin the mucus, it is important to constantly ensure the flow of fluid into the body, and taking drugs with mucolytics also helps in this. Too viscous and thick mucus does not separate well from the nasal cavity, makes breathing difficult and prolongs the time to recovery.

Vasoconstrictor drugs for the common cold. The largest group of drugs are vasoconstrictors, after the use of which the mucosal edema decreases almost instantly and the subjective state of the patient is facilitated. However, vasoconstrictor drugs have their own contraindications and features of use, therefore, in the fight against the disease, one should not rely only on this group of drugs.

Vasoconstrictors are usually released in the form of drops or spray, getting on the nasal mucosa, these drugs constrict the blood vessels, due to which the edema disappears, nasal congestion disappears and the person can breathe normally.

Other useful property vasoconstrictors - the ability to influence the amount of mucus and the rate of its production, which removes the symptoms of the common cold. The main active components of vasoconstrictors are naphazoline, xylometazoline, oxymetazoline.

Depending on the main active substance, three groups of vasoconstrictors are distinguished:

Xymelin, Dlyanos, Rinonorm - drops based on xylometazoline, Galazolin in the form of drops, spray or gel - a drug based on xylometazoline, the duration of exposure is up to 4 hours;

Fervex, Nazol, Nazivin - contain oxymetazoline in different concentrations, which allows them to be used to treat the common cold in both adults and children. The validity period is longer - up to 12 hours. There are contraindications for patients with kidney failure, women during pregnancy and diabetics.

Naphthyzin, Sanorin - medicines based on naphazoline. The validity period after a single application is 6 hours. The drugs in this group are affordable and do not damage the nasal mucosa. Sanorin is considered one of the safest vasoconstrictors, as it contains natural ingredients (aromatic eucalyptus oil) as excipients, which enhances healing effect and prevent complications.

It's important to know! Most drugs for the treatment of the common cold contain vasoconstrictors, which can quickly achieve an effect - relieve nasal congestion, make breathing easier and reduce the amount of discharge. However, with constant use, they can be unsafe - addiction develops to vasoconstrictor drugs, as a result of this relief does not occur even at higher dosages.

Regular use of vasoconstrictors can lead to complications such as loss of nasal sensation, taste and smell disorders.

Nasal drops and sprays are not used every time you feel a stuffy nose, but in critical situations when other remedies do not help;

It is impossible to use vasoconstrictors regularly for self-treatment of the common cold - complex preparations that do not lead to complications and side effects are better able to cope with this task.

If during the use of vasoconstrictors you feel a deterioration in well-being, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Preparations for the common cold are selected and prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the characteristics of the disease - this is how the treatment is more effective, and side effects are minimized.

Remedies for viral infections. With a runny nose caused by viruses, it is not recommended to take medicines in the early stages - the body must activate the immune forces, and discharge from the nose is a sign of its fight against pathogens. When the snot becomes transparent yellowish or green, treatment can begin.

Complex preparations from a runny nose. Complex preparations are designed not only to remove the symptoms of the common cold, as vasoconstrictors, but, first of all, to remove the cause of its occurrence. So, for example, when allergic rhinitis, which is provoked by the entry of a certain allergen into the nasal passages, the effect on mucus production will not have the desired result - as soon as the remedy expires, the runny nose will resume. In this case, it is better to use a specialized tool or a complex of drugs.

Vibrocil - a drug based on two active ingredients, a decongestant and a blocker of H-1 histamine receptors, not only constricts blood vessels and removes swelling, but also affects the cause of the common cold. The antihistamines in its composition relieve an allergic reaction, and the decongestant has vasoconstrictive properties.

Another popular combination active substances- mucolytic and decongestant - provides removal of puffiness and outflow of mucus due to a thinning effect, as a result of which a runny nose is cured faster.

Complex preparations give high efficiency in the treatment of the common cold and minimize the risk of side effects and complications.

Essential oils for colds. Essential oils are a common component of preparations for the treatment of the common cold, and can also be used as an independent remedy. Their effect is based on antiseptic properties; when applied topically, essential oils restore the barrier properties of the nasal mucosa without injuring it. AT medicinal purposes most commonly used oils are mint, pine and eucalyptus.

Saline solutions from a runny nose. Salt flushing is one of the most effective ways cold treatment. Salt solutions are used for both infectious and allergic rhinitis, as they cleanse the nasal passages of infectious agents, allergens and excess mucus, preventing drying and damage to the mucosa.

Salt solutions have no restrictions in use even for young children, they have no side effects characteristic of vasoconstrictors, they do not form addiction. Common drugs in this group are Aqualor, Salin, Humer, Aquamaris, Marimer.

Drugs for allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is treated with specialized medicines- in addition to vasoconstrictor drugs, histamine receptor blockers and hormonal agents can be used. Among hormonal drugs Flixonase, Baconase, Nasobek, Nasonex are most often prescribed. The effect of Nasonex appears after 12 hours, the patient's well-being improves significantly. The drugs are available in the form of local application, therefore, do not affect the state of the body as a whole.

Homeopathic medicines for the common cold. Homeopathic remedies with antiviral action that promote lymph drainage, relieve puffiness and strengthen immune system can be quite effective in treating the common cold. Among them, there are such drugs as Edas-131, Cinnasbin, Euphorbium Composite, Sinupret, which contain natural ingredients that help the body fight viruses.

Pencil asterisk from the common cold. The Vietnamese remedy Asterisk is available in the form of a balm, ointment, patch, nasal spray and inhalation pencil, successfully fights against colds thanks to the complex of natural ingredients - it contains cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus and mint essential oils. Thanks to these components, the product has a characteristic aroma, and when applied it gives a cooling effect.

The star pencil is much more convenient to use than the classic Golden Star balm in a tin - it goes directly into the nasal cavity, does not leave a characteristic aroma, and does not cause irritation to the mucous membranes.

If the effect of the balm is reflexogenic in nature - it is applied to the heels, chest, wings of the nose at the points that are used in the Eastern practice of acupuncture, then the Asterisk pencil falls directly on the mucous membrane, softening it, reducing swelling and the amount of secreted mucus. You can use it from 7 to 12 times a day, for this you need to breathe through each nostril in turn over a filter soaked in aromatic oils.

There are contraindications for use for people prone to allergic reactions and for small children.

What can and cannot be done with a cold?

Is it possible to do inhalation with a cold? Inhalations are considered the most effective method treatment of the common cold, so in the process of inhalation of vapors, the useful components of therapeutic solutions instantly fall on the mucous membrane and have an effect. Compared with other topical agents for the treatment of the common cold, inhalation has several advantages. So, unlike drugs for instillation, with inhalation medicinal solution does not flow into oral cavity and does not enter the stomach, but is evenly distributed over the mucosa, and remains there for exposure.