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As a rule, a runny nose after a cold lasts about two weeks. During this time, the amount, thickness and color of mucus can change, which indicates various changes in the body. If, after two weeks, a runny nose not only does not go away, but it also increases, it is considered to be protracted. Of particular concern is the thick mucus of a dark yellow or green color. This means that a runny nose from a virus has passed into a bacteriological one.
Protracted rhinitis is dangerous in that it can lead to complications and diseases of the lower respiratory tract. Protracted rhinitis is the risk of osteomyelitis, meningitis and even sepsis. If a runny nose does not go away, it often leads to otitis media and chronic diseases of the throat cavity. All this suggests that you do not need to wave your hand at such a seemingly harmless symptom as a cold. It needs to be treated, and as soon as possible.But first it is necessary to understand the reasons for its appearance.
Why runny nose is delayed
But why doesn’t a cold run in two weeks? Why does it develop into serious complications and a long course of mucus from the nose? There may be several reasons for this.
- Low immunity. Immunity can be weakened by a serious illness, poor nutrition, insufficient exercise. With such weak defensive forces, the body simply cannot cope with the cold.
- Hidden infectious diseases. If all the forces of the body are aimed at combating hidden infections or bacteria, a runny nose does not pass for a long time.
- Allergy. Often a long runny nose may simply be allergic.
- Adenoids. If you suffer from persistent runny nose and regular nasal congestion, you should check for adenoids with a specialist. Enlarged adenoids very often cause not just prolonged, but chronic rhinitis.
- Hypothermia The work of some people is associated with regular hypothermia - rescuers, divers, etc. In such conditions, a runny nose can also be delayed due to the fact that he simply does not have time to recover.
- Wrong treatment. A cold with a cold also requires treatment, but only a competent one. Simple washes, moist air, and a fair amount of liquid will very quickly bring the nose to order. If you often and constantly use vasoconstrictor drops, it can lead to chronic medical rhinitis.
An injury or curvature of the nasal septum can also cause a long cold.
With a cold, the flow from the nose does not stop, especially in fresh air and at low temperatures. In addition, there is congestion, a person cannot breathe freely through the nose, mucus becomes purulent, yellow or green. Often this is accompanied by a lack of smell, itching in the nose. In addition to this, a headache, worsening sleep, rapid fatigue. Whatever the cause of a cold, you need to get rid of it, and as soon as possible.
How to get rid of protracted allergic rhinitis
It often happens that a person is treated for a cold, and a runny nose has an allergic cause. Allergic mucus is usually clear and fluid, although it can sometimes be thick and rather yellow.In this case, you must first exclude the allergen. Analyze what can be associated with a runny nose. Maybe a pet appeared in your house, you were presented with a new indoor flower, or you began to sleep on another pillow. Often a runny nose is seasonal - during the flowering of many trees and plants. If it is impossible to identify the allergen, you can pass allergy tests in a medical institution, which with accuracy will help you identify the source of irritation of the mucous membrane.
After eliminating the allergen, you need to drink a course of antihistamines. It is the course, not a one-time reception. The fact is that after long-term exposure to an allergen on the body, treatment is also required for a long time.
With frequent allergic rhinitis should pay attention to the condition of the intestine. Indeed, often the intestinal walls are responsible for the immune system and the ability to resist various allergens. It is necessary to regularly clean the intestines, get rid of constipation. Try not to clean the room yourself if possible. After all, excess dust can provoke the reappearance of a runny nose. Remove from the house all the things that contain cotton wool and fluff, get rid of soft toys and old bedspreads, mattresses and blankets that collect dust. Wash curtains often.Keep your winter clothes in airtight bags, clean the cobwebs regularly, and often do wet cleaning. Do not use household chemicals at home, regularly clean the filters of humidifiers and air conditioning.
How to cure a runny nose in an adult at home
To cure a cold, it needs to be treated. Do not throw the treatment, even if you notice the first improvement - bring the case to the end. Otherwise, the disease will return again. To get rid of a prolonged runny nose at home, our advice will help you.
- Rinsing. Conventional washes are not only the cheapest, but also the most effective remedy for the common cold, no matter how cold or prolonged it may be. For washing, we will need a small kettle and warm salt water (a teaspoon per liter of liquid). Rinsing can be done over the sink, bathtub or basin. Type water in the kettle and put a spout on one of the nostrils. Slowly tilt your head to the side so that at a certain angle the liquid starts to pour out from the second nostril. Repeat the procedure with the other nostril.If the mucus in the head is thick and yellow, you can add furatsilin to the water. It will disinfect the nasal aisle and speed recovery.
- Inhalation. Sometimes it happens that severe nasal congestion does not allow for washing. In this case, you need to do inhalation. Pour hot water into the basin and cover with a towel. Inhale hot air and warm the mucous membrane. To remove the swelling and open the nasal breathing, add a drop of balm Asterisk to the hot water. It is based on essential oils that help you start breathing through your nose. You can make inhalations based on medicinal herbs - chamomile, calendula, sage.
- Compress. Make small wick of cotton wool and moisten them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and honey. Leave the wicks in the nose for half an hour. This is quite an effective tool if you do the procedure several times a day. Instead of potassium permanganate, cotton wool can be wetted in the juice of onion, garlic, and saline.
- Nasal drops. Among the folk remedy for the treatment of prolonged rhinitis can be noted aloe, onions, garlic, kalanchoe, beets. Dilute the juice of the selected plant or vegetable with water and put two drops into each nostril.The rhinitis is very effectively treated with oils - almond, peach and sea buckthorn. To achieve an antiseptic effect, you can use propolis decoction.
- Warming up It is possible to warm the nose and maxillary sinuses with the help of two boiled eggs. Just put warm eggs to the nose on both sides and wait for a while. It is very convenient to heat the nose with salt. Heat the salt in a frying pan, pour it into a fabric bag or shawl and attach the nodule to the nose. However, remember, you can warm your nose only after consulting a doctor - if the mucous masses are purulent, warming up can aggravate the situation.
If you cannot cope with the cold on your own for several days and do not see any improvement after home treatment, visit a doctor. ENT will give you the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.
Drug treatment of rhinitis
Here are some medications that may be helpful in the common cold. However, remember, they should be used only after consulting a doctor.
- Vasoconstrictor drops. Their reception is justified only in cases where a person can not breathe normally and live from a stuffy nose.Remember that these drops can not be applied longer than five days, otherwise there may be a dependency. These drugs can be presented in the form of sprays or drops. Among the most popular are Naphthyzinum, Sanorin, Vibrocil, Otrivin, etc.
- Saline solutions. These agents are effective at the onset of the disease, they wash the virus off the nasal mucosa perfectly, and therefore can be used as a prophylactic agent. Absolutely safe, even for children and pregnant women. This Aquamaris, Dolphin, Snoop.
- Antibacterial agents. If the cold is bacterial in nature, combination drugs are used - Polydex, Protorgol, Isofra, Collargol.
- Common drugs. Sinupret, Sinuforte and Nasobek can be called general means capable of dealing with the common cold of any etiology.
- Antibiotics. To cure protracted bacteriological rhinitis, antibiotics of a wide range of actions are often prescribed.
Self-healing is dangerous, it can lead to consequences. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking this or that drug.
If the body can not overcome a cold, it means that the immune system is weakened.Along with local treatment, it is very important to work on the general strengthening of the body. Drink vitamins, eat properly and fully, spend more time outdoors. Rest more, try to get enough sleep, less nervous. It is very important to regularly ventilate the room and provide moist air to the room. Harden the body, so that later the disease is easy and without complications. By following these simple rules, you can help your body beat a prolonged runny nose.
Video: how to treat protracted rhinitis
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If you do not consider washing with saline, then you will never cure a cold. I try, first of all, to stop the cold virus itself.Influcid, in this regard for me, is a universal remedy. And the virus for a long time in the body does not linger, and rhinitis on the second day is much less worried. And a day later, in general, I forget about thinking about it.