14 Best Ways To Stop A Runny Nose In 5 Minutes

Do you have the sniffles? Your nose is moving faster than a waterfall. Your nose may be congested, requiring you to breathe through your mouth. Or, far worse, both. Both a runny nose and nasal congestion are unpleasant upper respiratory symptoms that have their underlying reasons. Yet once they begin, you want relief as soon as possible; let’s look for ways to stop a runny nose in 5 minutes.

What cause of a runny nose?

Four different factors cause runny noses. We investigate each of them to see how they influence you.

1. The typical cold

One of the most frequent causes of medical visits is a common cold, commonly known as an upper respiratory infection (URI). While the term ‘common cold’ implies that you catch it by exposure to cold weather, this is incorrect. About 200 different viruses cause upper respiratory infections.

The common cold may spread via the air (for example, by breathing respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing) and through close human contact (e.g., touching the nose or mouth by hand or other objects exposed to the virus). As a result, it is pretty easy to infect whole houses and businesses in a short amount of time. A crowded and cramped atmosphere is ideal for the spread of the common cold.

Another virus that spreads fast via droplets is COVID-19. However, not all sniffles are caused by COVID-19. If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms and are worried about the dangers, MyDoc’s COVID-19 clinic can offer fast triage examinations. Pollen allergies cause a woman to sneeze and have a runny nose. 

2. Allergic reactions

Another primary reason for runny noses is allergies. This occurs when you are exposed to allergens or irritants that cause an allergic response.

Dust, pollen, animal hair, and even some foods may be allergens. Pollen allergies affect persons who are allergic to them. You might anticipate a runny nose when blooming plants, trees, weeds, and grasses begin to produce pollen in the spring and summer.

You have allergic responses because your immune system perceives allergen particles as an invading danger to your health. These particles might irritate your nasal passages as well. Consequently, the body responds by producing a runny nose, sneezing, or inflammation. Allergies frequently cause clear nasal secretions. In rare situations, they may become yellow and purulent.

3. Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes or imbalances might cause inflammation and expansion of the nasal blood vessels. Hormonal rhinitis is the medical term for this illness. Hormone fluctuations or imbalances may immediately impact the membranes of your nasal passage. Your nose will begin to produce more mucus than usual, resulting in a horrible runny nose.

Hormonal rhinitis is a typical pregnancy symptom. This is because pregnancy causes significant hormonal changes. A runny nose and nasal congestion will affect 39% of pregnant women. Hormonal rhinitis may also be caused by menopause, puberty, and contraception usage.

4. Cold air

In Singapore, the cold weather is not a concern. We get to experience blazing tropical heat all year. We use air conditioning to beat the oppressive heat. Yet, this creates the same issues as frigid climates.

Cold air may be drying, causing your nasal membranes to dry out. When you have a dry nose, your body reacts by producing more mucus. This is an effort to balance the fluids in your nose tube. That’s why your nose becomes a bit moist and runny when you’re in a cold room.

Learn how to treat upper-respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion and a runny nose so you can feel better quickly.

Runny nose signs and symptoms

You may believe your nose is just responding to dusty or chilly conditions. On the other hand, a runny nose is typically a symptom that your nasal canal is swollen and irritated. These symptoms might linger for many days or weeks if left untreated. The following are some symptoms of a runny nose:

• Mucus production is excessive.
• Excessive nasal discharge
• Having trouble breathing
• Congestion in the nose
• Sneezing spells

Headache or face discomfort caused by increased nasal cavity pressure, Sore throat, or cough due to mucus leaking back into the throat (post-nasal drip). In extreme situations, excessive nose blowing may result in nose bleeds, or you may get a sore throat or laryngitis due to persistent post-nasal drops. Drink lots of water.

If you have a stuffy nose, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and clear chicken broth to help thin and fluidize your mucus. This will allow it to flow more quickly from your nose and sinuses. Drinking plenty of drinks will help keep your airway membranes moist. Caffeine-containing beverages should be avoided since they might dehydrate you.

Natural Cures To Stop A Runny Nose In 5 Minutes

If you want to get rid of your runny nose quickly, try some easy and efficient home treatments. Examine some of these home remedies to see if they might help you get rid of your runny nose.

1. Sip hot tea

Several teas include mild decongestant herbs. Try non-caffeinated chamomile, ginger, or mint tea instead of traditional black or red tea. These herbs have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine qualities that may help relieve nasal congestion.

Look for something other than the closest bubble tea business to satisfy your tea cravings. We suggest a cup of hot tea instead of iced tea. Cold drinks are less effective than hot ones. Heat and steam may help free up your airways and aid in decongestion. The heat may also help to relieve nasal and throat discomfort.

Click Here to Read More About the 20 Best Non-caffeinated herbal teas

2. Steam on the face

Facial steaming is often used to open pores to remove pimples and acne, but it may also assist in freeing up your congested nasal airways. Facial steaming helps to thin mucus and give moisture for healing. This clears your nostrils and allows you to breathe more easily.

To make your own face steam, follow these steps:

• Grab a towel and a basin of scorching hot water. You may get it by heating clean water in a clean saucepan on your stove until steam is produced.
• Cover your head with a cloth and place it over the bowl of hot water.
• Maintain your head there for 20 to 30 minutes at a time.
• To receive speedier relief, inhale the vapor from the bowl.

Studies have demonstrated steam inhalation to shorten recovery time by around a week. You may also add essential oils to your hot water bowl. Tea trees, peppermint, thyme, rosemary, pine, sage, and eucalyptus oils are all excellent options. These oils include components such as menthol and thymol, which may help to clear the nose and make you feel better.

3. Gently blow your nose

Always have tissues on hand if you have a runny nose. Blow your nose as often as you can to remove the mucus, but not too forcefully. Blowing too strongly may force germ-laden phlegm and mucus back into your ear canals, perhaps leading to an ear infection. To avoid this, clean one nostril at a time by placing a finger over one nostril and softly blowing into the other.

It is critical not to sniffle your mucus back into your nose. When feasible, germ-carrying mucus and phlegm should be removed. Leaving it in encourages germs to develop and spread throughout your brain. For example, post-nasal drip (snot pouring back into the throat) might cause inflammation.

4. Fill your nostrils

Blowing your nose is a two-edged sword. It would be best to release the mucus and phlegm, but not too forcefully. If you do, the force may exacerbate your disease by causing swelling and irritation. Moreover, the skin surrounding your nose is susceptible, and frequent nose-blowing may cause irritation and suffering.

You may fill your nose in addition to blowing it! Roll a wad of tissue into each nostril one at a time. The tissues surrounding the nostrils may soak up and absorb excess mucus. This procedure is gentler than blowing your nose to eliminate mucus and phlegm. The main disadvantage is that you may seem ridiculous with wads of tissue protruding from your nose.

5. Menthol rubs or lozenges

It’s time to get out the Axe Oil your granddad carries in his back pocket! Although your coffee shop uncles like Axe Oil, various menthol rubs are available. Vicks, Tiger Balm, Olbas Mentholatum, and many more brands may be found at your local convenience shop or drugstore. If you have sensitive skin to oils and massages, you may suck on a tablet instead.

But it would be best to be warned that menthol has little effect on nasal congestion. They work by activating menthol receptors in your nose, giving you the sensation of breathing easier.

Menthol rubs, and tablets may also assist with other cold symptoms, such as coughing and sore throats, often accompanying runny noses.

Avoid applying menthol rubs straight into or on your nose. The skin surrounding your nose is delicate, and these massages may irritate it. Instead, dab some under your nose or on your top lip.

6. Drink a medicinal hot beverage

When you’re feeling under the weather, hot liquids are soothing. When you mix 8 oz. of hot water with FluTherapy Night Time, you’ll quickly experience relief from nasal congestion, a runny nose, and other cold and flu symptoms. Make sure you finish the medicated hot drink within 15-20 minutes. It contains an antihistamine to dry up your nasal passages and reduce runny nose symptoms and coughing and a nasal decongestant to relieve stuffiness caused by nasal congestion. Then relax and get a pleasant night’s sleep.

7. Get lots of sleep

When you’re not feeling well, getting lots of rest is critical, so your body can recuperate. According to research, your body creates new immune system cells while you sleep. During sleep, three proteins known as cytokines that are vital in combating infection and inflammation are created and released. 4 This implies that getting enough sleep might help your immune system stay in excellent form. Also, relaxing will give you a much-needed respite from blowing your nose.

8. Use a warm compress

A warm compress to your nose and forehead several times daily might help alleviate upper respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion. If you don’t have a compress, try wetting a washcloth and applying it to your face daily. This will help release your mucus, allowing you to breathe easier and reduce nasal congestion.

9. Take a Hot Shower

Try sitting in the bathroom with a warm shower running the next time you have a stuffy nose. You may also inhale the vapor from a hot water dish. Inhaling warm (but not hot) steam may help calm the mucous membranes that line the nose and thin the mucus. This will help you empty your mucus more quickly.

10. Make use of a humidifier

A clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer is an excellent method to restore moisture to your surroundings and relieve nasal congestion. When the air is arid, your mucus may thicken and become difficult to flow, and your sinuses may not drain correctly. You may increase humidity in the air by using a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer, which will keep your nasal passages wet and help mucus to drain more quickly.

11. Make use of a saline nasal spray

A mild saline nasal spray, such as Sinex Saline Ultra Fine Nasal Mist, may help alleviate congestion caused by a cold or allergies. A saline nasal spray keeps nasal passages open by washing away irritants that cause nasal congestion, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. It may also soften thick or hardened mucus, making removal more straightforward. The saline solution also aids in the relief of dry, inflamed nasal passages.

12. Use a neti pot to rinse your nose

If you have nasal congestion, you may rinse particles or mucus from your nose using a neti pot. A neti pot is a device that aids in the removal of phlegm. Insert the neti pot spout into the upper nostril by bending your head sideways over the sink. Let a saltwater solution flow down your lower nose after pouring it into your upper nostril. For example, 5 Squeeze bottles and pressurized canisters may be used instead of a neti pot.

13. Have a spicy dinner

Capsaicin, a substance found in spicy foods, may help ease a runny nose that isn’t caused by allergies. The ingredient that gives chili peppers their spiciness is called capsaicin. With eating spicy meals, your runny nose may worsen at first, but the heat will eventually soothe it.

14. Take over-the-counter medications

Over-the-counter cold and flu medications may help reduce your runny nose, nasal congestion symptoms, and other typical cold or flu symptoms. Note any symptoms you may have apart from a runny nose and nasal congestion to ensure you receive the treatment you want.

Hard drugs, such as NyQuilTM SEVERE, will aid in drying your nasal passages, enabling an antihistamine to ease your runny nose.

It also contains a nasal decongestant to help with stuffy noses. For a soothing burst of Vicks Vapors with the same NyQuil comfort, try NyquilTM SEVERE + VapoCOOLTM Cold & Flu. These multi-symptom medications might relieve cold and flu symptoms such as cough, fever, mild aches and pains, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and sneezing.

What to Do If You Have a Runny Nose

If you experience a stuffy nose or respiratory problems, you might suffer from a common cold, flu, or allergies. The first two are caused by viruses, which may quickly spread to other people if treated poorly.

Follow these CDC guidelines to avoid transmitting cold and flu viruses that cause a runny or stuffy nose to others around you.

• If you are ill, stay at home with your children.
• Avoid making personal contact with others, such as hugging, kissing, or shaking hands.
• Ensure you are safe from others before coughing, sneezing, or blowing your runny nose.
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue and discard it, or cough and sneeze into the top sleeve of your shirt, covering your mouth and nose.
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose, wash your hands.
• Surfaces and regularly touched items, such as toys and doorknobs, should be disinfected.

Conclusion

There are various natural methods and ways to stop a runny nose in 5 minutes, as you can see in the subject of how to stop a runny nose in 5 minutes.

Nasal sprays, steam inhalation, hot soups, humidifiers, and nasal irrigation with saline solution are all effective treatments for stuffy or runny noses. With these strategies, you may quickly and easily alleviate your runny nose and nasal congestion. If the procedures described in this article do not offer relief or the illness worsens. For your medical requirements, consider calling a virtual clinic.