How To Take Care of a Runny Nose Safely

October 28, 2025

2 min read

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Some believe that a runny nose cannot be helped. Is this true?. So what is left to do?

Key takeaways

Some believe that a runny nose cannot be helped.
Easing the symptoms
Do not let your guard down

Who this is for

People exploring Respiratory system through ARVI, runny nose.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Helga

General practitioner

Easing the symptoms

Influenza, acute respiratory infections, and acute respiratory viral infections are the most common causes of a runny nose. It typically lasts from 7 to 14 days and passes when the illness is over. No special measures should be taken, but to breathe normally at night you can use sprays and drops. Remember to not use them for more than 10 days in a row to avoid habituation and drying of the mucous membranes.

There are several types of medications for rhinitis:

Vasoconstrictors are based on xylometazoline, naphazoline, oxymetazoline, or phenylephrine. They relieve swelling, act almost immediately and return physical comfort for a while, but have no therapeutic effect.
Antiviral and antibacterial agents contain interferons, help to reduce inflammation, and dilute mucous secretions, but require long-term use to achieve the effect.
Medications with seawater in their composition soften the mucous membranes and briefly ease breathing, but mainly serve to flush the nose.
Rhinitis pills also constrict the blood vessels, but the effect is more gentle due to absorption through the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, the essence of the effect on the body does not change: the symptoms are lessened, but the cause of the runny nose remains the same.

A runny nose cannot be cured without treating the underlying disease that caused the runny nose. The runny nose is not a disease — it's just a symptom.

Do not let your guard down

If the condition does not improve after two weeks, it is worth making an appointment with an ENT to make sure that the inflammatory process has not led to otitis media, maxillary sinusitis, inflammation of the Eustachian tube, or the emergence of a purulent abscess.

Make sure to gently blow your nose when you need to. Although it is not a very pleasant sound, just blot the secretions in the event of a significant discharge. Drinking plenty of fluids, humidifying the air in the room, and keeping the temperature just below the usual temperature can also help alleviate a runny nose

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