If you treat a runny nose, it goes away in 7 days. If a runny nose is not treated, it goes away within a week. Everyone heard it. But such an opinion is erroneous. Many let the situation take its course, but a runny nose needs to be treated. Sleepless nights, lack of appetite, headache, sneezing, dryness and sensitivity of the nasal mucosa are the most harmless manifestations of acute rhinitis. If untreated, complications are possible: otitis media, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis and the transition of the common cold into a chronic form.
Most often, viruses, bacteria, hypothermia contribute to the appearance of a runny nose. Itching in the nasopharynx, nasal congestion, frequent sneezing, headache - when these symptoms appear, treatment should be started as soon as possible.
Many pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of the common cold are dispensed without a doctor's prescription. But consultation with a specialist is neverhappens to be redundant. And taking antibiotics with the onset of a runny nose is not justified. They will not cure rhinitis, but they can harm the body.
When starting a cold and runny nose, folk remedies help well. Hot mustard powder foot baths and raspberry tea are the best home remedies for a runny nose. Beet juice, aloe are also effective if rhinitis has just begun. The advantages of traditional medicine is that the risk of side effects is minimized, unlike drugs. But folk remedies do not always help.
There are a lot of drugs used to treat rhinitis in the pharmacy assortment, let's consider the main ones.
Drops with vasoconstrictive effect
The most popular and effective group of medicines. Dripped in the morning a good remedy from
runny nose, and the whole day the nose breathes. True, these medicines do not help with heaviness in the head, sneezing and itching. After a while, the runny nose starts again. Vasoconstrictor drugs do not cure rhinitis. They relieve nasal congestion and swelling of the mucosa. You need to use such drops for a runny nose, this will help reduce the risk of otitis media.
When taken for more than 7 days, the drugs cause the opposite phenomenon (tachyphylaxis), and the nasal mucosa swells again. Often people have to drip vasoconstrictor drops for many years, without them the nose does not breathe. It's addictive and very hard to get rid of.
Drugs in this group can cause hypertension, increased intraocular pressure and tachycardia. You can not simultaneously use vasoconstrictors and drops withcurative action. The minimum interval between their instillation is 40 minutes. Otherwise, the medicinal substance will not work, vasoconstrictor drops will not allow it to be absorbed.
If a runny nose continues for more than 7 days, you need to see a doctor.
Groups of vasoconstrictor drops
1. Preparations containing naphazoline. Medicines "Naftizin", "Sanorin" are representatives of this group. Action time - about 4 hours. The shortest of all groups. Strongly dry the nasal mucosa. Rarely used now.
2. Xylometazoline preparations. Means "Galazolin", "Rinonorm", "Xymelin", "Tizin", "Rinostop" are representatives of this group. They act for about 6 hours, a more gentle effect on the mucous membrane. Many representatives of this group contain sea water and other substances to moisturize the mucous membranes.
3. The active substance is oxymetazoline. Preparations "Nazivin", "Otrivin", "Nazol" are the main representatives of this group. The duration of action can reach 12 hours. They are the least irritating to the nasal mucosa, therefore, any of them is the best remedy for a cold among vasoconstrictors.
Sea water drops
All drops and sprays for moisturizing the nasal mucosa contain a solution of sea s alt. "Aquamaris", "Akvalor", "Salin", "Morenazal", "Physiomer", "Marimer" are preparations that moisturize and soften the mucous membrane. A similar remedy for the common cold, reviews of which are always positive, relieves swelling well. Seawater-based preparations treat inflammation and thinpurulent discharge.
A good remedy for a runny nose does not immediately relieve nasal congestion. It treats a runny nose and reduces the risk of complications. Medicines in this group do not have side effects. They are allowed for small children and pregnant women.
If it is not possible to purchase drops with sea water, you can use a simple saline solution. This is a common s alt solution, it is also effective for the treatment of rhinitis.
Antivirals
A good remedy for a cold is drops with an antiviral effect, but they are effective only in the first stages of the disease. Apply antiviral agents strictly according to the instructions, otherwise they will not help. Timely intake and accurate dosages will cure a runny nose in 3 days.
Antiviral drops "Grippferon", "Nazoferon" contain interferon. Interferon is produced in the body. He is responsible for immunity and attacks the virus. Interferon is available in drops and dry powder. This is an effective cold remedy. Ampoules with dry interferon can be used from birth. They are simply diluted with water. The drug has no side effects, only individual intolerance is possible.
There are other antiviral nose drops - Derinat. This is an excellent remedy for colds and colds. They stimulate the production of interferon. Spray "IRS-19" contains bacterial lysates. He fights against colds and bronchitis. When using drops with an immunomodulatory effect during an epidemic, the likelihood of “catching” a runny nose is reduced.
Phytotherapy
Plant extracts in drops are good for colds. They well moisturize and soften the nasal mucosa, treat inflammation. The drug "Pinosol" is the leader of this group, the most effective remedy for the common cold. It is available in the form of drops, ointment and cream. The medicine "Pinosol" includes essential oils, so it can cause allergies. Contraindicated in children under 3 years of age. All drops that contain essential oils should not be used in this age group, they can cause bronchospasm.
There are "Doctor MOM", "Golden Star" inhaler pencils. They contain essential oils that can be inhaled. The nose starts to work reflexively. You can use this remedy for the common cold during pregnancy.
Combination drugs
Contain several components. The drops may include an antibiotic. They are intended for the treatment of rhinitis of a bacterial nature. The drug "Polydex" contains an antibiotic that quickly heals the infection. There is also an anti-allergic component - dexamethasone. It relieves swelling of the mucosa. When choosing the best remedy for a cold, it is worth considering this medicine.
Some drops, in addition to the vasoconstrictor component, contain an antiallergic substance. They help with allergic rhinitis. Preparations "Vibrocil", "Sanorin-analergin" well relieve swelling of the nose with allergies. "Vibrocil" in drops can be used for children from 1 year old. In addition, you can use this remedy for a runny nose during pregnancy.
Many drops contain a vasoconstrictor and seawater. They areprevent dryness and relieve swelling. The drug "Snoop" in the adult and children's form of release softens the mucous well and eliminates nasal congestion.
Antibacterial drugs
Preparations such as Bioparox, Isofra contain powerful antibiotics. They are prescribed by a doctor. With sinusitis, frontal sinusitis and protracted rhinitis, this is the most effective remedy for a cold. With the onset of the disease, the use of these drugs is unjustified. The advantage of these funds is that they are not absorbed into the blood. Therefore, the side effects inherent in antibiotics are not characteristic of them.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic medicines are good because they have no side effects. They act with a cold at any stage. The main rule of homeopathy says: "You must not deviate from the instructions." If you skip the instillation time and do not observe the multiplicity, homeopathy will not help. The preparations "Edas-131", "Delufen", "Euphorbium-compositum" will relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa, have an anti-inflammatory effect, and increase immunity. Safe and effective drops are suitable for adults and children. In complex therapy, recovery is significantly accelerated. Treated with homeopathy for a long time. It has a cumulative effect and does not heal on the first day.
Nebulizer - a modern solution for the treatment of the common cold
Using a nebulizer for a cold is very convenient. This is an ultrasonic device with which inhalations are carried out.
Treatment of the common cold with a nebulizer cannot be compared with the use of pills and tablets,which go a long way through the body until they get to the diseased organ. Such drugs, unlike inhalers, often leave an adverse effect in the form of a variety of side effects.
Folk remedies
Rhinitis is the most common disease. Many people get sick of them. A runny nose can appear several times a year. Therefore, many folk recipes have been invented. Here are some examples:
1. Fir and eucalyptus oil. A few drops of essential oil are dripped into vegetable oil (about 25 ml). Drip in the nose in the morning and at night. Such a mixture instantly facilitates breathing, has a bactericidal effect, softens the mucous membrane and relieves swelling.
2. Beetroot juice relieves inflammation and swelling. Drip it several times a day or make tampons (for 10 minutes). A weak solution of beetroot juice can be dripped to babies for a runny nose.
3. Honey drops. Dilute honey with water in equal proportions. Slightly heated and dripped up to 6 times a day. Do not use if you are allergic to this product. Honey is a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent.
4. Aloe juice boosts immunity and relieves inflammation. Can be dripped in pure form. Can be diluted with vegetable oil.
5. Kalanchoe juice is an irritant. When it is instilled, an intensive separation of mucus begins, swelling quickly passes and inflammation is removed.
Rinse the nose at home
In the hospital, in the ENT departments, there is a special apparatus fornasal lavage. It creates pressure and flushes the nose with the drug, flushing out pus and mucus. A similar procedure can be carried out at home. Washing the nose brings relief to the patient and helps to cure a runny nose. The drug solution is collected in a container and inhaled through the nose, spit out the solution through the mouth. The procedure is carried out in the morning and at night.
How to make a mortar
- Pour a teaspoon of eucalyptus or calendula tincture into one glass of slightly s alty water. The solution has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal action.
- 2 filter bags of chamomile or sage are brewed with a glass of boiling water. When the solution becomes slightly warm, rinse the nose. The solution has a strong anti-inflammatory effect.
- 3 drops of iodine in a glass of warm water. The bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties of iodine treat the common cold well. Not recommended for purulent sinusitis.
- You can wash your nose with a simple saline solution. This procedure loosens mucus and reduces swelling in the nasal mucosa.
After rinsing, all medicines will be better absorbed. The effect of vasoconstrictor, combined and homeopathic drops increases several times.
From the common cold help infusions of herbs that are drunk inside. You can mix raspberries, oregano grass, birch leaf and coltsfoot. Brew the mixture and drink several times a day. Linden flowers and chamomile help with a runny nose. Herbs will help cure runny nose and colds. Rosehip and mountain ash will increaseimmunity and speed up recovery.
Treatment of any disease should begin with a consultation with a specialist. Not all patients can use drops. Vasoconstrictor drugs are contraindicated for many people. With sinusitis, therapy without antibiotics is most often ineffective. Drops may not help people with a deviated septum. All these nuances are taken into account by the doctor.
A prolonged runny nose can give many serious complications. Inadequate therapy can make the disease chronic. Runny nose is a disease that should be treated. We have presented you many options for his therapy. It is up to you to choose the most effective remedy for a cold, and it is better to do this after consulting a doctor.
