![Runny nose: You can do that if your nose is constantly running (Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / sweetlouise) Runny nose: You can do this if your nose is constantly running](https://img.utopia.de/tASMpNMWL-r5J8-DzIb_kMtd-mE=/640x300/https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2022/05/fliessschnupfen-cc0-pixabay-sweetlouise-220506.jpg)
When you have a runny nose, your nose runs constantly. It could be an allergy or an infection. You can find out more about the causes and what you can do about them here.
The nose runs, a feeling of pressure settles on your head and maybe sneezing and other symptoms are added. Runny nose is not pleasant. It occurs especially in the winter months as a symptom of a cold or flu. People with a pollen allergy, on the other hand, suffer from a constantly runny nose, especially in spring.
Runny nose when you have a cold
When you have a runny nose, your nose constantly secretes a thin secretion that is a bit reminiscent of water. In contrast to a conventional sniffle, the secretion comes dripping out of your nose almost continuously. Sometimes it comes in spurts that can last from several minutes to several hours. In some of those affected, the runny nose lasts for several days.
Colds can be a cause of runny nose. The cold is caused by viruses or bacteria, because these 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. With the constantly running secretion, bacteria and viruses are also supposed to be flushed out of the body.
In addition to the runny nose, a cold also causes a sore throat, hoarseness, headaches and coughing. The best home remedies for a cold are presented in this article: These 6 herbal home remedies help against a cold.
Inhalations can help to specifically relieve the cold. If you inhale the hot vapors through your nose, this promotes the breakdown of the mucus that has accumulated. Also essential oils out of eucalyptus and thyme promote the regeneration of your paranasal sinuses. You can take these as capsules or add them to the inhalation water. If the cold symptoms still haven’t subsided after about two weeks, you should seek medical advice. It is also advisable to refrain from exercising when you have a cold. After all, your body needs enough strength to regenerate itself.
Runny nose in allergies
![in-spring-pollen-can-trigger-runny-cold-cc0-pixabay-meineresterampe-220506_download In the spring, pollen can trigger a runny nose if you are allergic to it.](https://img.utopia.de/LJ45W7Y4DBXdAvxcO_U9NMHOUdE=/640x0/https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2022/05/im-fruehjahr-koennen-pollen-fliessschnupfen-ausloesen-cc0-pixabay-meineresterampe-220506_download.jpg)
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / myesterampe)
If you suffer from allergies, pollen, animal hair or dust can be the cause of the runny nose. This happens because our body mistakenly interprets the allergy-causing substances as pathogens. Our immune system then overreacts.
In addition to a constantly runny nose, this also manifests itself in sneezing, itching, reddened eyes and headache. Depending on the allergy, the symptoms can last from a few weeks to several months.
In this case, you should seek medical advice and have it clarified which substance is causing the allergy. Then you can avoid it specifically or take allergy sprays and, if necessary, other medication.
By the way, with most allergies you can continue to do sports despite a runny nose. However, if you also have a previous illness, such as asthma, you should seek advice from a doctor.
Runny nose in histamine intolerance
![is-histamine-intolerance-the-cause-of-running-snore-cc0-pixabay-hnbs-220509_download If histamine intolerance is the cause of the runny nose, you should remove cheese from your diet, among other things.](https://img.utopia.de/Iv_2HJujhfmCGFLksrQvwAEdxLM=/640x0/https://utopia.de/app/uploads/2022/05/ist-histaminintoleranz-die-ursache-des-fliessschnup-cc0-pixabay-hnbs-220509_download.jpg)
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / HNBS)
Also one histamine intolerance can be the cause of runny nose. The cold can then occur in connection with other symptoms such as itching, reddened skin, gastrointestinal problems or headaches.
In this case, you can relieve symptoms by avoiding foods high 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 people with histamine intolerance in this article: Low Histamine Foods: A List.
When your nose runs constantly as you get older
Older people in particular often suffer from a so-called runny nose. In this case, the runny nose occurs because the glands inside the nose lose their strength. Because they are actually protected by a tough, gel-like substance on the outside. This layer can decrease over time, allowing the watery secretion underneath to drain out more quickly.
Certain stimuli often trigger the runny nose. This can be, for example, smells, cigarette smoke, stress or particularly warm or cold air. In these cases, the runny nose is chronic. It is therefore not curable in this sense and keeps coming back. Besides the handkerchief, there isn’t much you can do about it.
However, even in old age, the runny nose is harmless. If your nose is irritated and reddened from constant blowing your nose, ointments can help.
Read more on Techzle.com:
- Cold in the baby: These home remedies help
- Body aches with a cold: These home remedies help
- Potato wraps: This is how you use the home remedy correctly