A runny nose is often a symptom of another condition and indicates an inflamed nasal lining. Get rid of the cold with these tips!
What is a runny nose?
A runny nose ("rhinitis") is when the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed. This makes nasal breathing more difficult and our sense of smell often decreases. Finally, there is an increased formation of watery or purulent secretions, which then run out of the nose. In many cases, a cold can be traced back to a virus-related cold or an allergy, but there are more possible causes. Simple rhinitis often disappears on its own after a short time, and home remedies for colds can also alleviate the symptoms.
Acute and chronic runny nose
Cold can also become chronic and therefore a permanent burden. The two forms usually differ based on their causes:
- Acute runny nose: The acute cold is usually triggered by viruses, and bacteria often also settle on the nasal mucosa ("secondary infection"). The infection can be recognized by the fact that the secretion turns yellow or green in color, and other symptoms of a cold such as cough, sore throat and headache often arise.
- Chronic runny nose: Chronic rhinitis can be traced back to various diseases and either remains permanent (e.g. with a curved nasal septum or dependence on nasal sprays) or recurs at certain times, e.g. in spring due to an allergy.
How does a runny nose spread?
The classic cold viruses that are responsible for runny nose are transmitted by droplet or smear infection. For example, we become easily infected when we breathe in after a sick person sneezes near us. Viruses also feel very comfortable on frequently used surfaces such as door handles or keyboards and so only get to our hand and then easily to our mouth or nose when we touch our faces. If we are partially cooled down (e.g. from cold feet in winter), we are generally more prone to having a cold.
What are the causes of a cold?
Even if a cold can be traced back to a cold or allergy in most cases, the possible causes are varied. These triggers are also common:
- Viral Infectious Diseases: In addition to the common cold, the symptoms can e.g. B. also come from measles, chickenpox, the flu, whooping cough or scarlet fever.
- Sinusitis: An inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (like a frontal sinus infection) can also be acute or chronic and, in addition to a purulent runny nose, causes severe headaches and pain in the limbs.
- Hormonal changes: e.g. due to pregnancy or menopause
- Irritation from toxins or pollutants: z. B. cigarette smoke, pesticides, carbon dioxide or disinfectants
- Nasal polyps
- foreign body in the nose (more common in children)
- Crooked nasal septum (Malformation that can arise, for example, from a broken nose)
- Different drugs: z. B. antihypertensive drugs or antidepressants
By the way, children are particularly susceptible to the simple cold, because their immune system is not yet strong enough to fight off all pathogens. If the runny nose persists in the cold season, enlarged tonsils can be a cause in children.
What to do if you have a cold These tips will help
There are various measures to take in the event of a cold which can improve the symptoms and make it easier to breathe through the nose. These include:
- Keep room air moist: A humid indoor climate calms the mucous membranes and helps them to swell. The easiest way to do this is to use a humidifier on the heater, but hanging up damp towels also helps.
- Do not smoke: Cigarette smoke irritates the mucous membranes and increases the symptoms – anyone who suffers from a cold should stop smoking and stay in smoke-free rooms.
- Keeping warm: Anyone who has a cold quickly shivers. It makes sense to wrap up warm, but you shouldn't sweat.
- To sleep with your head up: This makes it easier to breathe through your nose when you have a cold.
- Drink a lot: At least two liters of water a day keep the mucous membranes moist and ensure that the nasal secretions remain liquid and can drain off better.
- Take a rest: The immune system already has enough to do with fighting the infection – we support our body in healing best when we rest and forego sport or hard work.
- Intermittent ventilation: At least in the morning and in the evening we should open all windows completely for at least five minutes so that all the air in the apartment is exchanged once.
- To go for a walk: Speaking of air! Short walks outside help us clear our heads. We should just be careful to dress appropriately.
- Eat chicken soup: Grandma's good old chicken soup is anti-inflammatory and therefore actually helps with colds and Co. Here comes the best recipe:
Home remedies for a cold
A simple cold-related runny nose usually does not need to be treated by a doctor or with medication. Even gentle home remedies often help against the symptoms. These include:
- Herbal tea: Chamomile or elderflower tea in particular have proven effective for colds. At least four cups should be drunk every day.
- Nasal irrigation: The nose can be rinsed with a saline solution from the pharmacy or a home-made saline solution (one teaspoon of salt to 0.5 liters of water) – this cleanses the mucous membranes of viruses and bacteria. To do this, keep one nostril closed and sniff up the saline solution with the other hand, then switch sides.
- Keep feet warm: We should definitely not cool down – and that often happens first on the feet. On the other hand, warm socks or foot baths, for example, help.
- Inhalations: The steam from chamomile tea or eucalyptus oil also helps against the swollen nasal mucosa. Warning: Essential oils are not suitable for use on children.
You can find more home remedies for colds here.
Speaking of children: A sachet of onions often helps them with a runny nose. To do this, a quarter of an onion is chopped up, wrapped in a paper or linen cloth and placed next to the child's bed at the head end (distance from the head at least ten centimeters). The ingredients of the onion work against inflammation and help against a blocked nose.
Nasal spray for treatment: yes or no?
Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for every small cold, if possible, as there are risks for side effects: If they are used too often or for too long, they dry out the nasal mucous membrane, which in turn makes it easier for pathogens to colonize it again. This can lead to chronic colds. We also get used to the nasal sprays very quickly, which makes them lose their effectiveness.
Treatment: When should I see a doctor with a cold?
You don't have to go to the doctor immediately with every cold. If the symptoms keep coming back, if they last longer than a week or if you experience other symptoms such as fever or severe headache, a control visit to the doctor is advisable. He can identify the pathogen through a smear and, for example, prescribe antibiotics to trigger bacteria.
Would you like more information? We explain how chronic rhinitis develops, what yellow rhinitis stands for and what helps with hoarseness. We'll also reveal the best sinus infection home remedies as well as home remedies for a cold.