The runny nose comes back every year. If the nose is not running, but is literally running, it can be quite annoying under certain circumstances. In this article you will read how a cold develops, the differences between colds and how you can combat this unwanted everyday companion!

Runny nose course

A runny nose is a typical companion in around 90% of all colds or flu-like infections. sniffAlso Rhinitis called, is one Inflammation of the lining of the nose. In the context of a cold, the common cold viruses are usually to blame. Viruses spread through droplets and get into the airways of healthy people. The nasal mucous membrane of the airways swells and produces more secretions. Cold viruses cause nasal congestion, cause an annoying cough and sore throat.

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The whole drama begins in the Nasal cavity: At first, those affected notice a tickling or burning sensation. The infection leaves the Mucous membranes swell, so that more secretion is formed. The nasal secretions initially appear clear and watery. If the person concerned is ill for a longer period of time or if the cold viruses remain, that will secretion increasingly greenish-yellow and viscous. A swollen nasal mucosa often results in reddened and watery eyes. Those affected also complain about a restricted sense of smell and taste. In the context of the common cold, headaches and body aches are also not atypical.

In medicine, the runny nose is divided into these four stages:

  • Dry preliminary stage of rhinitis
  • Runny nose
  • Slimy stage
  • Common cold

With a healthy one Immune system should the "cold course" in the context of a cold with the other complaints such as sore throat, headache and exhaustion subside after about a week. However, a runny nose can be more severe Infectious disease such as flu, whooping cough or measles occur and plague those affected for longer.

Runny nose symptoms

A stubborn cold brings further "cold symptoms" with it. Since the Sinuses are inflamed, it can often become one Feeling of pressure at the bridge of the nose and headache come. Clearly it can become frequent with runny nose Sneezing attacks come. If there is nasal secretion, thick secretions can emerge when sneezing. The swollen nasal mucous membranes can cause it to shortness of breath come. It can be difficult to breathe, especially at night. As there is more breathing through the mouth, the mouth dries out.

"Sniffles yellow" and "Sniffles green"

Did you know that the color of the nasal secretion is caused by the immune cells (leukocytes), pathogens, cell components of the mucous membrane and enzymes? These components give the crucial shade. Yellow runny nose may indicate that the common cold is in one bacterial infection or flu progresses. Yellow color arises when increased Immune cells available. These come to the fore when there are bacteria that need to be killed.

In order to avoid a tragic flu, it is very advisable to consult a doctor as soon as a “yellow cold” or a “green cold” occurs. If the color changes, the sinuses can become infected with bacteria or other infectious diseases, causing serious inflammation.

Runny nose duration

When it comes to a cold, it is said: "The cold comes for three days, stays for three days and goes on for three days". This also applies to the Runny nose duration. The classic cold usually lasts around that ten days. In children, a cold can last a little longer. In addition, a "cold baby" is much more susceptible to secondary infections such as bronchitis. In such cases it can take weeks for the runny nose to completely leave the baby.

Da Cold viruses constantly changing their nature, it can also happen that we just have a cold behind us and have another cold immediately afterwards. The duration of the cold can therefore be very different.

Treat a runny nose

Basically there are many Remedies for coldsthat are offered in the pharmacy. However, experts advise using a remedy for colds that is specifically designed to treat colds. Combination preparations are not particularly suitable for this, as they are supposed to cover several symptoms and also make you tired. A nasal spray or nose drops is better suited for targeted treatment.

  • The Active ingredient xylometazoline occurs in nasal drops and causes the mucous membranes to swell. This will make it easier to take a deep breath.
  • To moisten the nasal mucous membranes, a Seawater solution or Emser salt be used. Alternatively, a nasal douche can be used.
  • To liquefy the nasal secretions the Active ingredient cineole be used.
  • Can with the power of nature Myrtol and thyme contribute to the mucus loosening. sun hat alleviates the course of the disease and eucalyptus clears the airways. If you are interested in natural remedies, you can simply ask the pharmacy about these active ingredients for fighting runny nose.

If you want to do without a cold drug, you can also use tried and tested cold home remedies:

Runny nose home remedies

Here are some of the best home remedies for a cold that you can use very cheaply at home with just a few products:

  • Nasal rinsing or nasal douche: With the help of a saline solution, you can disinfect the nose very effectively, so that a cold is counteracted. In addition, the mucous membranes are moistened and pathogens are flushed out.
  • Spicy food: Chilli and other spicy delicacies not only taste good, they also clear your nose.
  • Drink: Water or various herbal teas such as chamomile or ginger flush the airways through. A warm lemon provides plenty of vitamin C and thus strengthens the immune system.
  • Elevated sleeping position: If you sleep with two pillows, the nasal secretions can drain away better. You can also breathe better so that you can rest undisturbed.
  • chicken soup: The classic soup not only has an antibacterial effect, but also makes the nose run properly so that stuck secretions can be sneezed out.
  • Inhale: To dissolve nasal secretions, inhalation is a tried and tested home remedy for a runny nose. To do this, you simply fill a large bowl with steaming, hot water and add an essential oil such as chamomile or salt as desired. Now you can inhale the fumes. To increase the effect, throw a towel over your head. Be careful with the hot water!
  • nasal spray: Of course, nasal spray is very effective. You can use your own composition of sea salt for this.
  • Rub the chest: Essential oils from eucalyptus dilate the bronchi. This makes breathing easier. You can also buy ready-made ointments from the pharmacy.
  • Humidify room air: So that you don't have to moisten your nose all day long, you should prefer increased room air. You can use a humidifier for this or simply hang up the fresh laundry in the bedroom.
  • warmth with the help of an infrared lamp: A red light lamp gives off heat. If you place them on the forehead and sinuses, you stimulate the blood circulation in these areas. As a result, immune substances arrive there better and the defense functions more optimally.

There are many other common cold home remedies that can help you get rid of the common cold naturally and inexpensively.

Infection or allergy?

If you have a stuffy nose, sore throat, cough, and headache, it is more likely to be a cold or flu. Viral infections occur frequently in winter, autumn, but also spring and summer. A runny nose is just a symptom of the common cold. And the runny nose usually goes away after two weeks at the latest.

An allergy is the so-called "hay fever“That regularly plagues the noses at the end of winter and in spring. As soon as trees and grass start to bloom, pollen flies in the air, which causes reddened eyes in attacks and makes the nose sniff and run. As part of a Allergy it can even lead to rashes and shortness of breath. To effectively counteract hay fever, it helps to use a nasal douche several times a week, as soon as Pollen fliegen.

Runny nose in summer

The World Health Organization has established that people are catching colds more and more frequently in summer. So far, autumn, winter and sometimes spring have been characterized by waves of colds. But not the summer. As it turns out, many of those affected are to blame for the so-called summer flu in summer. A weakened immune system combined with the modern air conditioning provides the perfect breeding ground for viruses. In particular cold feet can affect the respiratory mucosa. A dried up and poorly perfused mucous membrane in the nose and throat offer the optimal opportunity for viruses and bacteria to multiply in the airways. A cold in summer is therefore very common.

In order to avoid a cold in summer, you should therefore be careful about your own Immune system to strengthen as possible. One healthy eating and way of life make a significant contribution to this. You should also make sure that the mucous membranes are moistened in summer. A natural one Nasal spray with seawater solution is ideal for this. If this is used regularly, the self-cleaning mechanism of the nose is supported.

Runny nose pregnancy

Pregnant women often catch a cold. Especially in the cold season it often happens that expectant mothers are very susceptible to cold viruses due to their stressed immune system. A "cold pregnancy" then occurs more frequently. In this demanding time, it is important to avoid taking a cold medicine as far as possible and instead Home Remedies against cold or homeopathic remedies for colds to use. General measures that pregnant women can use in the context of a cold with a runny nose are:

  • Physical conservation: Sports and physically demanding activities in particular should now be postponed. A moderate walk is fine.
  • Warm feet: Cold feet favor a runny nose and are very counterproductive in the context of a cold.
  • Drink enough: A pregnant woman should drink at least 1,5 liters of water and unsweetened tea a day.
  • Sleep with your head high: So that the nasal secretions can drain and to avoid heartburn during pregnancy, an elevated sleeping position is suitable.
  • Pay attention to hygiene: In particular, handkerchiefs used by other people pose a high risk of infection.
  • Room temperature and high humidity: In order to moisten the mucous membranes in the airways, care should be taken to ensure that the air humidity is high. For this you can use a room humidifier or hang up the fresh laundry in the bedroom. In addition, a room temperature of 20-22 degrees Celsius is recommended for colds and a cold.
  • Cold bath: A cold bath can last about ten to fifteen minutes. This warms up and, with the help of the fumes, moisturizes the airways.
  • Inhalations: Hot steam with chamomile additives moisturizes the airways and loosens stuck secretions.
  • compresses
  • Essential oils for application: From the second trimester of pregnancy, essential oils can be used for massages and for rubbing.

Runny nose baby

Due to the not yet fully developed immune system and also due to the delicate airways of a newborn, newborns can very often have a runny nose. Since conventional medicinal products against colds are not yet an option for babies, the question often arises of what to do with a cold baby. Small children cannot yet breathe through their mouth, so a cold can quickly become torture. Here are some helpful points that the Cold season with a "runny nose baby" can ease:

  • As a parent, always make sure that your baby's nose is clear. This will enable your snotty nose to breathe freely. With help of a Nasal aspirator usually works without any problems.
  • By the fourth week of life, your newborn should be one Doctor presented if they have a runny nose.
  • In babies, a cold usually resolves itself within two to ten days. Patience is required here.
  • If you have a reddened and sore nose, you can do this with a ointment Apply cream (e.g. Bepanthen).
  • Experience has shown that help homeopathic globules very effective on a runny nose baby. Some remedies relieve the runny nose symptoms, others even have a curative effect.
  • breast milk is very healthy. Therefore it can be used in many ways. As a bath additive or as a nasal solution for colds. To do this, you can use a pipette to put a drop of breast milk into one nostril.
  • To clear the airways, you can gently pat your baby's back with the palm of your hand from top to bottom. You can do this by placing your baby on your lap with its stomach.

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#PreviewProducts
1 Aspirin Complex - quick help for colds... Aspirin Complex - quick help for colds...*
  • Relieves you of colds with head, neck and ...
  • Rapid development of the effects thanks to the soluble dosage form
  • Duration of action up to six hours; good compatibility
2 Rhinospray plus for colds, nasal spray, 6 x 10... Rhinospray plus for colds, nasal spray, 6 x 10...*
  • BREATH FREELY AGAIN: The active ingredient tramazoline in the nasal spray...
  • FRESH KICK FOR THE NOSE: Rhinospray Plus also contains...
  • SLEEP BETTER DESPITE REVERSIBLE: If you have a very stuffy nose due to a...
3 tetesept rhinitis spray - nasal spray with 5 ... tetesept rhinitis spray - nasal spray with 5 ... *
  • The cold spray clears the blocked nose, moisturizes and ...
  • Improved recipe: Hypertonic active solution with 5 essential oils: ...
  • Gentle cold therapy: well tolerated and without ...