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Home Remedies For Runny Nose: Procedure, Recovery, Risk & Complication

Last Updated: Mar 04, 2021

What are the best home remedies for runny nose?

There are a series of home remedies available which can help in reducing the ramifications of a runny nose. For example,

  1. salt water:

    It helps in alleviating the inflammation and irritation that accompanies a runny nose. It helps in clearing the runny nose and nasal passages which remain stagnated with mucus. For this remedy, you will have to mix two teaspoons of table salt along with 2 cupfuls of lukewarm and distilled water. Now with your head tilted backward, add two drops of this solution into each nostril.

    Inhale it at a slow pace so that the solution reaches the interior part of the nasal passages. When you blow your nose, the excess mucus along with the solution would come out and relieve you from a runny nose.

  2. Steam:

    It is another of the most versatile remedies for treating nasal problems. It assists in clearing out a runny nose by shedding off excess mucus that leads to irritation and discomfort. You can add a few drops of any menthol oil or eucalyptus oil into a bowl of hot water and then drape your head with a towel. Now you will have to inhale the steam for about 10 minutes and blow your nose so that the mucus is expelled out.

  3. Turmeric:

    It acts as a form of antidote for some health conditions including a runny nose. It contains high amounts of antioxidants, antibacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties which help in treating a runny nose. There are numerous processes of taking turmeric, and you can choose the one that suits you the most.

  4. Mustard oil:

    It also contains high amounts of antibiotic, anti-viral, antihistamine, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial properties. It contains a significant amount of isothiocyanate which helps in fighting off fungal infection and glucosinolate which fights off the microbes leading to a runny nose.

  5. Drinking fluids:

    Drinking an adequate amount of fluids helps to flush out the foreign germs out from the body. It provides relief from congestion. Staying hydrated includes basic home remedies for cold.

  6. Add spice and Capsaicin:

    Spice and capsaicin contain a certain chemical compound that produces heat and provides relief from a runny nose. While consuming spicy food first the situation will get worse but it will gradually provide relief.

  7. Hot tea:

    As per the studies done by the researchers it has been found that drinking hot tea or any hot beverages is quite effective in reducing the runny nose symptoms. Hot tea possesses anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties which help to fight against any allergic reaction.

  8. Hot bath:

    Hot bath leads to inhalation of steam into the body which helps to drain out the congestion in the nasal cavity. It also gives relief from a runny nose.

    There are numerous other home remedies for alleviating runny nose including garlic, ginger, eucalyptus oil, basil leaves, honey, cinnamon, horseradish and onion among others. There are various ways in which you can consume these ingredients without harming their efficacy.

Summary: Runny nose can be treated by taking hot steam, hot bath, saltwater. Drink hot fluids, turmeric milk. Add spice and Capsaicin.

Are there any side effects of remedies for runny nose?

The home remedies for a runny nose as a whole don’t have any side effects, but each ingredient can cause discomfort and complications in different persons. Therefore, it is important to consider each option and choose one wisely. For instance, some people have bloating problems with garlic and onion, and therefore, it is crucial to avoid such ingredients.

Eucalyptus and menthol oil tend to worsen the cold and make the symptoms severe. For such people taking a salt solution and chewing small pieces of ginger can be the best option. Also, some people have restrictions about consuming mustard oil due to allergies and cardiac health.

Likewise, there are innumerable numbers of remedies for a runny nose, but all of them are not meant for everyone. You must consider your condition and allergies before choosing any ingredient for treating a runny nose. It is also important to check whether the ingredient is fresh. If ginger or garlic is stored for an extended period, then these items tend to lose their effectiveness.

One should be extremely considerate while choosing the most effective remedy for a runny nose if she is pregnant or aged over 60 and the same applies for kids as well. Hence, judicious usage of home remedies is the crucial point.

Summary: Despite being effective, certain home remedies have some side effects which vary from person to person, so choose your home loose-fitting if you are not allergic or sensitive to the particular substance. Do not use any home remedies in excess as it may be harmful to health.

What are the post-remedy guidelines?

When you are taking home remedies for a runny nose, you can expect the symptom to subside within a week or two. But there are certain important instructions that you must follow to prevent the spreading of infections and to recover faster. You should make it a habit of washing your hands with some disinfectant cleanser and water very often so that the risk of being infected with cold viruses reduces considerably.

Also, practice coughing or sneezing while covering the nose and mouth with a tissue or the upper sleeves so that you don’t spread germs. Experts suggest that you should avoid touching your mouth or nose or eyes too often when having a runny nose.

Summary: Follow the guidelines. wash your hands with some disinfectant. Practice coughing or sneezing while covering the nose and mouth with a tissue. avoid touching your mouth or nose or eyes too often when having a runny nose.

How long does it take to recover?

A runny nose accompanied by a sore throat are the most common symptoms of a cold which are often followed by sneezing and coughing. It takes about 7 to 10 days to get rid of runny nose and all these symptoms with effective home remedies. This is one of the most common causes that compel numerous children to miss their school and adults their work.

It is common to have at least 2 to 3 cold attacks in a year and they are mostly cured without needing to visit an expert. But there is an exception with people who have chronic cold problems or those who tend to catch a cold even if they have a glass of cold water For such people, it is important to visit a doctor and find out whether there is any underlying complication and how to cure them.

Summary: The time of recovery is mostly 7 to 10 days to get rid of all these symptoms with effective home remedies.
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Are the results of the home remedies for runny nose are permanent?

In most cases, the results of following the home remedy for a runny nose are permanent when followed along with the post-remedy guidelines. But there could be an exception in case the affected person has chronic problems or some underlying severity which further aggravates the condition. It is important to find the remedy that suits you best and stick to it till you get a complete cure to have long-lasting results.

Summary: Yes, the results of the remedies are mostly permanent only if the person is not suffering from chronic problems.

Is there any training or experts required to perform these natural remedies for runny nose?

There is no training or expertise required following the natural home remedies for runny nose for a runny nose but you need to consult an expert if the symptoms get worse. In such a case, the doctor would evaluate your overall health condition and prescribe antibiotics or other medications. But in most cases, the simple home-based cure would be effective.

For reaping the maximum benefits from a general study on the right way of usage, the number of times the procedure has to be repeated is there any dosage and so on could be useful. Similarly, analyzing the various options available to choose the remedy that would best suit your requirement will also be of immense help.

Summary: No, there is no need for training or expert assistance since these home remedies are easy to perform.

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Written ByDr. A.A Khan M.B.B.S,C.C.A,D.C.A,AASECT,FPA,AAD,M.I.M.SGeneral Physician

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