How to Stop a Runny Nose
If you’re experiencing a runny nose, you need relief. Here are five ways to stop a runny nose.
You’re trying to get your work done but you have to stop every few minutes to blow your nose! This can be a frustrating scenario. A runny nose can be caused by a variety of factors including a cold or virus, allergies and hay fever, medications, airborne chemicals, or triggered by changes in the environment. You can get short term relief by blowing your nose but chances are you’ll have to repeat the process which can be distracting. Here are some ways to stop a runny nose:
Determine the cause of your runny nose.
If your runny nose persists beyond several weeks, you should see a doctor to determine the cause. You may need allergy testing and an examination to rule out nasal polyps. If the cause of your runny nose is determined to be allergic in nature, you can take steps to avoid the potential allergens. There are also prescription allergy medications you can take on a daily basis to reduce your symptoms. If you have a cold or virus, most likely your symptoms will be short term and you’ll only need symptomatic relief.
Irrigate your nasal passages.
Irrigating your nasal passages with a salt water solution can help to clear out nasal secretions and remove some of the irritants that may be causing your nose to run. You can buy nonprescription saline nasal sprays at your local drugstore, but it’s easy enough to make your own by adding a half teaspoon of table salt to a cup of water. Draw the solution into an eyedropper, hold your head back and drop a few drops into the back of your nose. Breathe in deeply and repeat several times to distribute the saline water throughout your nasal passages. You can then blow your nose to remove any residual water and nasal secretions.
Increase the humidity of the air you breathe.
You want the air you breathe in to be moist to avoid further irritating already inflamed nasal pages. If you don’t already have a humidifier, consider purchasing one for your home. There’s some thought that keeping your nasal passages moist through use of a humidifier may ward off cold and flu viruses.
Take an antihistamine.
Antihistamines work best for stopping a runny nose caused by allergies, although you may get some relief for a runny nose from other causes. One precautionary note, most antihistamines available at your drugstore can cause drowsiness. Don’t use one if you’ll be operating machine or driving.
Use drugstore nasal sprays only for short periods.
Drugstore nasal sprays such as Afrin are quite effective, but you can experience a rebound effect after several days of usage. This means that your symptoms may become worse. If you need to use a nasal spray, use it only at night and for a three day period at most.
Nasal irritation and congestion is no fun, but now that you know how to stop a runny nose, you’ll experience a lot less discomfort and can concentrate on getting your work done.
Liked it
christine | Feb 21, 2008 | Reply
do you have spots which doesn’t come off which is red
stergos | Aug 16, 2008 | Reply
i will faint …i cant hold my nose anymore…and i have a concert soon.oh my god…
Yousaf | Aug 25, 2008 | Reply
This didn’t work. My nose is STILL runny.
Kayla | Nov 9, 2008 | Reply
Thank you for the kind advice!
blah blah blah | Dec 11, 2008 | Reply
i feel like cutting my nose off
kurt ballou | Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
chicken soup, orange juice and brandy with honey.
Sajaa | Dec 20, 2008 | Reply
Snort Cayenne & Salt.
It Hurts But It Works…
The Take A Steam Shower, An Antihistamine & A Saline Solution ( netti )
in less than 12 hours…..your sinisitus, runny nose and nasal congestion will be a thing of the past.
Avoid Dairy!
lame | Jan 11, 2009 | Reply
Just get in the shower and let the steam take its course
dr patel | Jan 29, 2009 | Reply
eat spicy food, tobassco.
it will cause short term pain for long term harmony..
snwwht | Feb 1, 2009 | Reply
AHHH… my nose hurts. Nyquil or Theraflu didnt work. Steam only kinda works. This is horrible… please shoot me
hey! | Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
This is not a CURE but this helps.
Roll some tissue napkins that fits the rim of your nose holes, leave it there until your runny nose will be out of runiing anymore.
luke | Feb 3, 2009 | Reply
omg sticking tissue up ur nose actually works lol
Ania | Feb 4, 2009 | Reply
LOL! And I though it was sliff and cold beer combined with the wad of tissue #11 suggested. OMFG!!! I feeeellll waaaayyy betttterrrr!!
ub | Feb 7, 2009 | Reply
tissue in the nose work better than a thousand way. I am doing it and able to do anything now and not bothered.
barb | Feb 14, 2009 | Reply
Way to funny! I agree reading the remedies here made me feel better too for a bit I forgot about sore runny nose.
Ugh | Feb 14, 2009 | Reply
All I can do is stick a tissue up my nose and put lotion on wherever my nose gets irritated… :/
ish | Feb 16, 2009 | Reply
smoke ish.
the cure | Feb 17, 2009 | Reply
this trick always works for me…..run on the spot until you inhaul and outhaul hard. the mucus will just move away
Kavkaz | Feb 25, 2009 | Reply
make a hot tea and squeeze a lot of lemon juice, add 4 or 5 tea spoons of honey and then mix it. don’t add sugar… Then drink it slowly.. this will stop the runny nose for 20-30 min or so.. if that doesn’t help go out and get sushi and eat it with Wasabi.. this will definitely help
lyndak | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply
My runny nose began right after I had rhinoplasty 5 years ago. I also have allergies and any allergin can irritate my sinuses and makes my nose run more. I also sneeze alot due to allergies and irritants in the air. I’ve found that using a nettie pot to irrigate my sinuses helps alot. I use it every other day. I’ve noticed that when I forget to use it regularly, my nose starts to run again. I’ve also tried Flonase and Zyrtec. The Flonase works, but it dries out my sinuses and I get alot of nose bleeds. The Zyrtec makes me drowsy so I don’t take it unless I absolutely need it, which is usually around spring time. Anyway, if you haven’t done so already, I highly recommend the nettie pot. It really works. Good luck.
nigel | Mar 10, 2009 | Reply
ugh omg my nose has been runnin all day! it is super red from all the irritation!!!i took an antihistamine but that crap didnt work!!! what can i do now?
Ouch | Mar 13, 2009 | Reply
Fix laptop, blow nose, fix laptop, blow nose… all day long …. help!!!
amber | Mar 26, 2009 | Reply
omgg im going to try this sounds
like is might be the anserww
been blowing my nose all day
nd i needed to stop blowing my ugly nose
amber | Mar 26, 2009 | Reply
its me aMBER AGAIN
talk people!!!
amber | Mar 26, 2009 | Reply
om myspace!!!!
that guy | Apr 2, 2009 | Reply
ok but seriously i been blowing my nose so much that i think i ruptured my ears cause now there bleeding what should i do now to stop my running nose cause its running like a fauset and someone broke the handle off!!!
the salt water only made my running nose run but i think it helped the bleeding ear by culterizing the open sore
CP426 | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
The best way is to keep a tissue in your nose. I’ve been doing this for the past several hours and one side of my nose is dry.
xeno | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
steps tried – results
1.) Steambath – immediate symptom relief, relaxing as it is. Though you can’t lay in the tub all day.
2.)Hot foods, warm liquids, soups – feeling alot better now after having a large part of the day going with a running nose and loads of sneezing.
-not tried but does help
3.)swallow chunks of raw garlic, eat and go to bed – you’ll feel messed up throughout the sleep, really warm but the next day it really feels like its’ worn off – be it a cold or a fever. Been working for me anyway.
Yeah I felt like cutting off my nose too ^^, but I blame the springcold or the fact that I don’t workout and take care of myself like I used to.
alyssa | Apr 26, 2009 | Reply
HAHA that’s funny! Number 11! I just did that and then I read your post and I laughed because I was like “hey, this might work way better” and then you said that too.
Blade | Apr 28, 2009 | Reply
Now im going to try this putting tissue up your nose thing..hope it works..
Serbia1389 | May 2, 2009 | Reply
omg i cant get my nose to stop running and i tried the tussue thing but that doesen’t work, i have the cold and it’s so irritating, can someone please help me, i think im gonna chop off my nose if it doesen’t stop.
Nezza | May 5, 2009 | Reply
This seems to help me when at work. Try not to look downwards and breath through your mouth and not your nose. Not 100% but does help.
jen bc | May 5, 2009 | Reply
i tryd the tissue up my nose ya it kinda does work. ita the red , raw part of my nose that i wanted to go away. reading this did help me forget about it for a few minutes though lol
thanks hmm ill just have to keep this tissue up the nose things cause i see the wet and the cheap tissue im ussing is cutting my nose. so i bought the vicks with aloe kleenx it works wonderful i do belive try it get it from any drug store …
jen bc | May 5, 2009 | Reply
chicken soup and something warm for sure helps. spicy foods is good for clearing the nose. i like to eat a teaspoon on horseradish that clears my nose out. cold air actully helps move the mucus in the back of ur nose and throat. its nice getting fresh air rather then getting to much wet dry air making it worse.
thorpey | May 7, 2009 | Reply
i love to suck dick
lee | May 11, 2009 | Reply
i have the same dam runny nose, it’s been like this for the past 5 days already. really bad. will try the above.
running man | May 13, 2009 | Reply
I tried number #35 and although it didn’t stop my nose from running it did take my mind off it
dollybird7 | May 14, 2009 | Reply
dam cold. nose is running like a tap. can’t concentrate on anything. Head full ears about to burst. in the 3rd day now how much longer. Can’t stand it
Dawn Thomson | May 15, 2009 | Reply
I have had a runny nose which is dripping like a tap all day and its red and sore. The tip of putting tissue up your nose seems to be helping me ,and it gave my husband a laugh to see how funny I look with two great bits of tissue hanging out of my nose . Good tip.
Alicia Evans | May 20, 2009 | Reply
just remember runny nose is a natural process for ridding bad bacteria in the congested areas, the only way to somehow stop it is to never make your nose dry otherwise irritation will occur causing it to make it runny again.
For me you may think this is really weird but when its a cold day i force my body to become cold and miraculously you get no runny nose, except for a freezing cold body.
The golden rule is making your body hot and quickly cooling it down or vice versa will make you sick and give you runny nose
Please remember all the small details when you try remedies
dance | May 23, 2009 | Reply
hot foods work….. #35 doesnt work well
Joker1 | May 27, 2009 | Reply
Ok guys I know how to stop a running nose, you catch it.
Rania | May 30, 2009 | Reply
OMG those comments are soo funny I forgot about this bad cold… The runny nose is bad but the swollen eyes because of runny tears is wose!!!! I stick tissues inside my nose and i feel a little better but my eye is still swollen and hurts
anisha | May 31, 2009 | Reply
im over 3 months pregnant i sneeze al day long n my nose runs like lose tap omg so flippin annoying,apprently its called pregncy rhintis so it cant be stop, it last up2 6 weeks, im sure
theres way please helpppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp
dan | Jun 1, 2009 | Reply
I think its the weather, i shouldnt be complaining that its been sunny in UK for 4 days now :O but my nose just keeps running. all i can do is stick tissue in the nostils. then 10 mins later change them as they are soaked to the core. nice.. yeah it is.
Brendan | Jun 4, 2009 | Reply
have a hot tea… drug up on whatever you can find in your drug drawer at home… clear out ur nose and instantly sniff a marker. you will be suprised!
Betty | Jul 9, 2009 | Reply
I have chronic allergies but I don’t have the money to go to the doctor and get perscription medicine for it. Well I have a couple of things that may help.
The tissue up nose helps a bit, cinnamon candies help a lot, the massaging bit above doesn’t really help too much but one thing that I haven’t seen on here is sniffing a sharpie. As funny as it sounds it actually works. It works as if you have vick’s vapor rub without the funny smell on you all day. That and if you are having problems going to sleep because of it, try putting your pillow under your neck instead of your head, so that you are looking at the ceiling, this will cause your sinuses to run backwards, so that you can get to sleep.
nya! | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
are you a girl or a boy?
edward cullen | Jul 22, 2009 | Reply
OMG. i want someone to cut my nose off!!!
my nose is like a coffee machine….it doesn’t stop. i have tried all the cures but nothing works. and today at work i forgot my tissues (you do not want to see what happened). PLEASE HELP
SexiSumter | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
A warm rag will do the trick for a irritating nose. I tried it once when i had a runny nose and it soothed the irritating part of my nose quick. So i truely recommend the hot/warm rag compressed against your nose.
man | Aug 3, 2009 | Reply
i hate runny noses
Dementedioser | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
Omg I feel you there man, fix laptop, blow nose…. Fix laptop, blow nose…. Rinse and repeat, unfortunatly it doesn\’t stop….
Dementedioser | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
Omg I feel you there man, fix laptop, blow nose…. Fix laptop, blow nose…. Rinse and repeat, unfortunatly it doesn\\\’t stop….
tissues4eva | Aug 7, 2009 | Reply
man that tissue up the nose works like a crazy thing. daymn thats good tissuing? just gonna go for a walk now?. why not.
Rico | Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
wow those few lines helped me out big time and the part about forcing yourself to stand in the cold i been doing that for some years and yes it does work everyone to prevent a runny nose good advice
LazyMike | Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
CURE!
CURE!
CURE!
CURE!
Something that is a CURE! It hurts but it will work!
Put a small dash of salt on the table, and snort it, then right after, maybe 10 to 15 mins after if your lazy, Take a Steam shower,and let the steam take its course, Then your runny, or stuffy nose will be a thing of the past, for good…!!!!!!!!!!
Fred | Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
OMG the raw garlic is almost instant!! eat one Big clove, crunch , chew and swallow! try to keep your mouth closed as much as possible to let the fumes of garlic circulate. I CAN BREATHE THROUGH MY NOSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 5 DAYS!! and its stopped running! totally natural CURE! you will smell for 24 hours but your runny nose has gone!
Christopher Linz | Aug 29, 2009 | Reply
I can’t get the tissues to stay in my nostrils, they keep falling.
staley | Aug 30, 2009 | Reply
it did not work but my nose worsend
dolly | Sep 2, 2009 | Reply
take no drowse decolgen for ur runny nose…. its effective…try it
blerr | Sep 6, 2009 | Reply
the tissue thing only works until you sneeze and they fly out. not really suitable for going out in public either.
Amanda Young | Sep 16, 2009 | Reply
I hate being sick…….this sucks majorly…..I think that my “just seasonal” alergies have turned into a sinus infection…….I have been blowing my nose and hockering all day……my throat hurts real bad now from all the drainage and I have a really nasty cough…..I just wanna sleep!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so drained.
guest | Sep 16, 2009 | Reply
Ugh. School just started and i have a runny nose. Here\’s a few tips:
drink hot white milk with two tablespoons of honey.
take a nice long hot shower.
eat a bit of ginger with honey.
do something distracting. Talk to you best friends, laugh, tell stories, watch just for laughs or your fav. tv show.
hope it helps.
omg. i am using soft tissues and my nose is irriated. have been dealing with this all day. oh yeah, eat some spicy soup.
guest | Sep 16, 2009 | Reply
p.s. it\’s me (guest) again. if you had to sneeze and lost it, look at the ceiling and the sneeze will come back. and another thing, don\’t go near a place that is too dusty!
hayley | Sep 21, 2009 | Reply
hi this has been real cool reading all these comments who knew that people search how to stop a runny nose on a daily basis thats random!!!!!!!!!!
runnny nose sucksssss | Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Im one of those unlucky people who constantly have a runny nose
and doing exams now
Georgi | Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
i have a relief for about 5-7 hours
you have to buy a product, which is all natural aloe products tho it owrks
called forever living “aloe first”
can be used on all kinds of cuts, bruises, sore throat and runny nose,
if you get hte cold in the begining it will go away, otherwise you will have to spray alot of it in your nose for a cure
also it kinda hurts alot for aboyut a min tho after you dont even notice your cold
PenisBreath | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
I’m now sat here with 2 pieces of folded and rolled up tissue stick out of my nose. After a minute or so of watery eyes I’m surprised to find it has actually worked.
vincent | Oct 2, 2009 | Reply
i too, sit here, with 2 rolled up tissues in my nose. however, the kleenex i have is kleenex w/ lotion and it when i breathe through my mouth it tastes like ASS!!! o well. at least im not going through tissue like a penny whore does tricks.
Cnad | Oct 14, 2009 | Reply
well for me vicks vaporub works…. rub allround your nose n u gonna feel cold kinda mint n its really works!!!!
Justin | Oct 18, 2009 | Reply
I cant even sleep now, my nose is fcked up
Joe | Oct 19, 2009 | Reply
Ok, so I’ve had a cold for two weeks. Just as it was settling down and I was feeling better, I wake up with this huge hangover type headache with pressure and soreness around my eyes and my face effing hurts!! 2 days like this. So I get out the ol’ bottle of vicodin and started the sudafed nasal spray, and the pain is merely hidden. But I know it’s still there. So, it’s getting better. Oral sex from my girlfriend, a vicodin (1 pill twice daily) and nasal spray. It’s working well. Sex is a definite fix for the few hours you spend with your mind and body occupied. Keep blowing your nose to get that mucus out, (don’t snort and swallow. That’s not only gross but it keeps what your body is trying to flush, in your body to make more. Sex, vicodin (which stops nasal drip for a few hours), nasal spray in the morning and hot tea or/and gatoraid.
Only take the vicodin if you have this sinus pain. It hurts so bad that I had to take it. But don’t get hooked on them. Take them with extreme care. Also, to sleep I take Tylenol sinus, and lunesta with a little ganja. Works like a champ and you’ll sleep like a baby.
Waking up sick sucks!! But the worst part should be over within an hour or two once the meds kick in.
I also suggest just enough ganja to put you to sleep. Depends on your tolorence but you don’t want to be smoking while your lungs, nasal passages and everything else is trying to heal.
This season is one of the worsts for cold and flu here in sunny, hot, raining cold California. Everyone’s got it and everyone’s spreading it. So sanitize your hands often, your desk at work, spray Lysol around the house and at work to kill airborne bacteria and try not to hang with people that are sick. Soon, it will pass and we’ll be well again.
Did I mention sex and ganja? Yeah do that… I have no reason to lie. If you’re sweating it out, all the better. Luckily, my girl shares my beliefs. “honey, I feel horrible, I need some tender love and care.” I’ll come back and check to see if any of these worked for anyone. My friend is a doctor, and although they have different approaches to colds and sinus stuff, his advice has been great.
Oh, don’t forget to not be TOO bed ridden. Try to live like you’re well and walk around, do what you can to not just lay in bed if you can. I was in bed for 3 days and my doc said go for a walk, breathe the freshly polluted LA smog outside and get back in the swing of things. Mentally, it helps so youre telling your body not to get used to being sick and making it work to get all the crap out of you. Spit, don’t swallow kids. And don’t spit on the ground for others to find later. That’s just nasty. Get a spit cup or a lined (with a grocery bag) trash can to huck your nasty mucus. Then get it out of the house as soon as possible.
Good luck, hope this helps and sorry for the rambling.
SoCal Joe
Marisa | Oct 23, 2009 | Reply
How long are you supposed to keep the tissue in your nose?
Liz | Oct 29, 2009 | Reply
SoCal Joe,
At first I was disgusted by your ref. to sex and ganja, but then two things struck me. 1) You are from Cali so it makes sense. 2) I like your approach to living life as if you aren’t feeling like crap every day. I think there is a bit of truth to that. While suffering these horrible sinus problems, if you stay in bed, you are only sleeping and staying in your sickness. It’s best to breathe the air and get your immune system back in order. This is also good advice for those who are trying to protect their young children on a daily bases from sickness at school, etc. Please, let your kids be kids, if you protect them constantly from colds or flu, they will not build a strong immune system. So, I liked what you had to say SoCal.
From your pal in the Midwest, Chi-Town Liz
sniperhash | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
quote [ runnny nose sucksssss | Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Im one of those unlucky people who constantly have a runny nose
]
and doing exams now
omgg i am in the same situation as you! i have a vce methods exam tomrow morning, and i have caught a sore throat + runny nose!!
well my sore throats kinda cured, but I CANNOT BREATHE WITH MY NOSE
IT IS SOOO ANNOYING
i have tried all the prescription drugs/antihistamines/ and so on and so on.
the only thing i can do now is stick tissues up my nose as everyone is LOL
beccabear | Nov 5, 2009 | Reply
oh wow. you all need a life!!
Its just a runny nose!!!
It WILL go away!
Ive been having a runny nose since yesterday. Just suck up and deal with it!! you wont have it forever. in time it will fade. If not.. then you just have allergies… and that sucks for you. but if its just a runny nose from a cold or virus it should go away soon if you dont make it any worse…
So.Cal Joe | Nov 6, 2009 | Reply
Cool Liz! I appreciate that as I hope you appreciate my honesty.
Sex makes you work those limbs and muscles that have been sitting or lying in bed not doing much, so the flow of blood generated even by foreplay can be very helpful. It also helps to get your mind in a mode where your concentrated on the action at hand. (literally for the single folks out there.. Haha sorry=) my intensions are pure, I promise. The ganja helps with so many things with the exception of the excersize. You’ll wanna either eat, sleep, hydrate, and maybe something productive if you’re smoking early enough. I know I love sleeping.
So back to the runny nose subject.
It’s a pain to have to blow your nose every 5 minutes. It’s actually totally inconvenient. But after you smoke, there’s a lot less to complain about.
I’m not saying to have sex with a joint in your mouth and Kleenex stuffed up your nose, I’m simply trying to give helpful advice to get your mind off of the obsession and aggrivating burden of what can’t be avoided. Your body’s natural flushing system. Let it work. Kleenex in your nose for a few minutes here and there does work.
But I think it does block the natural flow of mucas unless you use something that absorbs like a tampon. I mean absorb just like a tampon does, not “use a tampon”. Who knows, tampons work very well for a bloody nose. But for mucas, not so much.
Blow your nose, get your mind off things. If you’re online researching a remedy, chances are over the counters are not sufficient. So my suggestions are simply what has worked for me.
Best of luck with all the runny noses out there and remember, let nature do it’s thing.
Craig | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Fear not, I have the cure! Sniff a sharpie or similler permanant marker for a few seconds and this will stop your runny nose instantly. The fumes stop your nasal producing mucas. It works. I know sniffing markers is not a good thing but its only for a few seconds, and anything is better than a runny nose. I would sniff a sweaty ass if it meant my nose stop runnying!
Logan | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Hey
Weed and sex would be great…but no missus at mo and cant really pull like this, and in public cant sit with a splif (gutted)
IN ALL SERIOUSNESS………….
Work in a pub so cant really walk with tissues in my nose….tried that salt water shit (no joy = just pain)
I guess we all agree tissues up the nose work. Whats the biggest problem?…There white!
We need black tissues…no worries, found an alternative…
1. Take a black sock (clean and spare if possible)
2. Cut it into managible pieces
3. Get it right up that runny bastard
4. Should have good half a cm between the sock and nostril
5. Done…A cure that you can use in public (only downside is your nose is a bit bigger…but hey you sound bunged up and have puffy eyes, they\’ll never guess what you got up there)
(if you dont have time to change them snort really hard…the “bogeies” goes down your neck, personal preference if thats worth the punishment)
I hope your all a little less frustrated
Larna | Nov 24, 2009 | Reply
hahahah that tissue trick works! i’ve been blowing my nose every couple of minutes for the last 3 days – at work, which involves being on the phone a lot and the last thing a customer wants to hear over the phone is sniffing and blowing the nose. The tissue trick works well! I have a bit of tissue in each nostril and havent had to blow for half hour.
The ganja trick works well too i think, to get your mind of the annoying ness – too bad I cant smoke any at work, and it doesn’t do too well for the sore throat which is a minus.
E.R.Karthikeyan | Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
its really working…
E R Karthikeyan | Nov 25, 2009 | Reply
its really working…