When you have a runny nose, your nose runs constantly. This could be due to an allergy or an infection. You can find out other causes of runny nose and what you can do about it here.
Your nose is running, there is a feeling of pressure on your head and you may also experience sneezing and other symptoms: a runny cold is not pleasant. It occurs particularly in the winter months as a symptom of a cold or flu. People with a pollen allergy, on the other hand, suffer from a constant runny nose, especially in spring.
Runny nose with a cold
When you have a runny nose, your nose constantly secretes a thin secretion that is reminiscent of water. In contrast to a traditional cold, the secretion drips almost continuously from the nose. Sometimes it comes in spurts that can last from several minutes to several hours. For some of those affected, the runny nose lasts for several days.
Colds can be a cause of a runny nose. The cold is triggered by viruses or bacteria because they cause inflammation in our mucous membranes. This activates our immune system: In order to get rid of the pathogens as quickly as possible, it triggers processes that lead to a runny nose. The constant secretion is intended to flush bacteria and viruses out of the body.
When you have a cold, in addition to the runny nose, you also experience a sore throat, hoarseness, headache and cough. We will introduce you to the best home remedies for a cold in this article: These 6 herbal home remedies help against colds.
Pharmacies Umschau recommends that inhalations can help to specifically relieve a cold. If you inhale the hot vapors through your nose, this promotes the breakdown of the accumulated mucus. Essential oils from eucalyptus and thyme also promote the regeneration of your sinuses. You can take them as capsules or add them to inhalation water. If the cold symptoms have still not subsided after about two weeks, you should seek medical advice. It is also advisable to avoid exercise when you have a cold.
Runny nose due to allergies
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / meineesterampe)
If you suffer from allergies, pollen, animal hair or dust, among other things, can be the cause of the runny nose. It occurs because our body incorrectly interprets the allergy-causing substances as pathogens. This causes our immune system to overreact, explains the Pharmacy Review.
In addition to a runny nose, this reaction is also manifested by sneezing, itching, red eyes and headaches. Depending on the allergy, symptoms can last from a few weeks to several months.
In this case, you should seek medical advice and have it clarified which substance triggers the allergy. Once you know this, you can specifically avoid it or take allergy sprays and other medications if necessary.
If you have most allergies, you can continue to exercise even if you have a runny nose. However, if you also have a pre-existing condition, such as asthma, you should seek medical advice on this matter.
Runny nose due to histamine intolerance
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / HNBS)
Histamine intolerance can also be the cause of runny nose. The runny nose can then occur in conjunction with other symptoms such as itching, reddened skin, gastrointestinal complaints or headaches.
In this case, you can relieve symptoms by avoiding foods rich in histamine. These include, for example, cheese, fermented foods, chocolate, meat, citrus fruits, berries or red wine. You can find out which foods are suitable for histamine intolerance in this article: Low-histamine foods: A list.
If your nose constantly runs as you get older
Older people in particular often suffer from a so-called runny nose, according to the Pharmacy Review. In this case, the runny nose occurs because the glands inside the nose lose strength. They are actually protected on the outside by a tough, gel-like substance. However, this layer can decrease over time, meaning that the watery secretion underneath drains out more quickly.
Certain stimuli often trigger the runny nose. These can be, for example, smells, cigarette smoke, stress or particularly warm or cold air. In these cases, the runny nose is chronic. So in this sense it cannot be cured and keeps coming back. Apart from the tissue, there isn’t much you can do about it.
Even in old age, the runny nose is harmless. If your nose is irritated and red from constant blowing, wound ointments can help.
Read more on Techzle\.com:
- Cold in babies: These home remedies help
- Body aches with a cold: These home remedies help
- Potato wrap: This is how you use the home remedy correctly
** marked with ** or orange underlined Links to sources of supply are partly partner links: If you buy here, you are actively supporting Techzle\.com, because we then receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.