5 Tips to stop a runny nose at home fast

What causes a runny nose?

Basically, mucus or mucus is definitely in the human respiratory tract. This thick fluid is produced by mucous glands and lines the nose, throat, and lungs.

The human body always produces this mucus every day, which functions to keep the nose moist, protect the body from foreign particles, and fight infection.

However, sometimes mucus or mucus production occurs excessively or may show a different color. Well, this is what causes you to feel the sensation of a runny or runny nose.

Here are some common causes of a runny nose, more commonly known as runny nose:

1. Spicy food

Eating spicy food definitely makes your mouth burn hot. Not only that, the eyes and nose also become watery. Even if you don't have a cold, you may have to wipe the mucus that keeps coming out of your nose a few times. Why does this happen?

Generally, spicy food definitely uses chili and pepper. Both of these spices contain capsaicin, which is a substance that causes a burning sensation when it comes into contact with body tissues, such as on your skin, mouth or eyes.

The irritation from capsaicin stimulates the production of more mucus. This excess mucus makes your nose run when you eat spicy food.

2. Crying

Maybe you have the occasional runny nose when you cry. The amount of discharge from the nose can be small or large, such as mucus or mucus when you have a cold and flu.

So, actually when you cry, the water not only comes out of the eye and flows down the cheek, but also goes to the bottom of the eyelid. It turns out that at the bottom of the eyelid there is a channel that is directly connected to the nose, called the nasolacrimal duct (duct).

Some of the tears that do not flow out into the cheeks will enter the nasolacrimal tract, then enter the nasal cavity.

Once inside the nose, the liquid which is actually tears then mixes with the mucus and other substances in the nose, then flows out of the nose. In short, the liquid is pure tears and not snot like when you have flu and colds.

3. Allergies

A runny nose can also be a symptom of an allergic reaction that your body is experiencing. This condition is commonly referred to as allergic rhinitis or hay fever , namely inflammation of the nasal passages due to exposure to allergens (triggers for allergic reactions).

Allergies themselves can be caused by many things. Some people may experience allergies in certain seasons, such as the rainy season. There are also those who cannot stand the dust and their bodies experience allergic reactions, including symptoms of a runny nose.

4. Influenza

Another most common cause of a runny nose is the possibility that you have the flu.

Flu is caused by infection with the influenza virus. This virus can attack the respiratory system as a whole, which includes the nose, throat, and lungs.

As a result of this infection, inflammation and swelling can occur in the mucus lining of the nasal passages. This is why you may experience runny nose or even a stuffy nose.

Usually, flu is accompanied by symptoms of high fever, dry cough, and sore throat.

5. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is inflammation that occurs in the sinuses, which are the cavities found in several parts of the human facial bones. This condition can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

When you have sinusitis, you may also experience symptoms such as headache, cough, sore throat, and watery eyes.

6. Nasal polyps

The growth of tissue inside your nasal passages can also trigger a continuous runny nose. These tissues are called nasal polyps.

Nasal polyps are caused by inflammation and swelling in the walls of the nasal passages, resulting in tiny tissues that block the inside of your nose.

7. Leakage of brain fluid

In rare cases, a runny nose that continues, even for years, may be the result of leakage of brain fluids. This condition is called by the term cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak .

Apart from a runny nose, there are other symptoms of brain fluid leakage to watch out for, for example:

Headache
Ringing in ears
Visual disturbances; sore eyes and blurred vision
Stiff neck
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures

Cerebrospinal fluid leakage in the brain is caused by a tear in the soft tissue covering the brain and spinal cord called a dura meter. This discharge causes a decrease in volume and puts pressure on the brain. Eventually this fluid can drain into the nose, ears, or the back of the throat.

The average person who experiences this condition has experienced trauma to the head, surgery on the head, or has a tumor in the brain.

How to deal with a runny nose

There are some easy tips you can do at home to reduce your runny nose in the following ways.

1. Drink water

Keeping the body hydrated when the nose is runny is an easy way to do. The fluids you drink help thin mucus to reduce pressure on the sinuses, which can lead to less irritation and inflammation. Not only by drinking water, you can get fluid intake by drinking juice or eating soup.

Choosing a warm drink is better than a cold one. Hot herbal teas from a mixture of ginger, chamomile, mint leaves, or nettle can be your choice. Because this tea has a mild decongestant content and if you inhale the steam from this drink it helps relieve your nasal congestion.

2. Inhalation of vapors

Hot steam inhalation has been shown to help with runny noses. A study from Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences concluded that steam inhalation is quite effective for common cold patients. This reduces the recovery time for the disease by about one week faster than inhaling the vapor at all.

Apart from sipping warm drinks, you can inhale steam from warm water that you put in a container. You can add a few drops of decongestant essential oil to make the steam work better against your runny nose.

Use humidifier The (humidifier) in the room also helps relieve your runny nose. The machine converts water into water vapor which slowly fills the air. When inhaled, this will thin mucus and help empty excess fluid in your nose so that breathing returns to normal.

Taking a hot shower has the same effect as inhaling hot steam. It can even help your breathing return to normal even temporarily. You do this by adjusting the hot water temperature accordingly, place a towel over your head when the water flows. Then, take a deep breath. However, don't take too long in the shower as it can make the body shiver and dry the skin.

3. Use a salt spray

Making a saline solution can increase nasal moisture and thin out mucus, making it good for a runny nose. However, you will need advice and directions from your doctor to make this salt spray. This spray should not be used for more than three days and used in conjunction with other medications.

How to make salt spray:

Prepare an airtight container
Mix three teaspoons of idiode-free salt and one teaspoon of baking soda.
Give boiled sterile water instead of tap or distilled water
Transfer the solution to the neti pot

First, tilt your head slightly to one side, placing the muzzle of the neti pot over one of the nostrils. Allow the saline solution to enter from the nasal cavity and out the other nostrils.

4. Cleans the snot properly

Instead of re-sucking your mucus which keeps coming out and bringing extra bacteria out of the air you breathe, it's better to get it out. However, make sure you do it the right way.

The key to blowing your nose properly is to do it slowly. Too hard to blow your nose does not make you recover quickly, but it can cause other nose problems.

Press one finger on the side of the nostril, then blow out the mucus gently, doing the opposite to clean the other nostril.

5. Take medicine

One way to get your nose properly free of nasal congestion is to use the help of decongestants or antihistamines.

These two drugs that can be bought without a doctor's prescription help reduce nasal congestion and excess mucus buildup.

Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, can shrink dilated blood vessels in the inflamed lining of the nose. Shrinking of these blood vessels which reduces the amount of mucus that is produced. Meanwhile, antihistamines are suitable for those of you who often experience allergies because these drugs can inhibit allergic reactions in the body.

Overcoming a runny nose properly is necessary so that you are freed faster from uncomfortable sensations in the nose. However, if your nose still does not get better after trying the methods above, you should consult your doctor to get the right treatment.