• Use a Nasal Spray or Saline Drops

The nasal spray soothes the mucous membranes insides the nose and makes it easier to breath. Purchase a nasal spray from a pharmacy. Place the mouth of the spray in front of one nostril, while closing the other nostril with the help of your hand. Press the nasal spray and inhale from the open nostril. Repeat this for the other nostril too.

Use the nasal spray 3 to 4 times a day, and your runny nose will clear up in no time.

  • Take Antihistamines

If you have a runny nose, accompanied with watery eyes and frequent sneezing, taking Antihistamines is your best chance. These especially work well to treat a runny nose due to allergies. If you have any such symptoms, run over to the nearest pharmacy for your over-the-counter medication. Some effective and common antihistamines include Brompheniramine (Dimetane), Loratadine (Claritin), Fexofenadine (Allegra), and the very famous Diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Have the tablet with a glass of water.

  • Take a Decongestant

If the runny nose is accompanied by difficulty in breathing, an apt medication will be one that performs the role of a decongestant.

Rush to the drugstore and search through the aisles for pills that end with the letter ‘D’, for example Zyrtec-D. Some medicines may also combine the qualities of being an antihistamine as well as a decongestant. Such include Allegra-D, Claritin-D, etc. Consume these pills with water, for improved health and a stopped runny nose.

If you are not comfortable in consuming pills, tablets, or capsules, there are syrups too with decongestant properties. Look for syrups in the drugstore with Phenylephrine or Pseudoephedrine. Or, you can always ask the individual at the counter to suggest a syrup decongestant.

  • Use a Nasal Strip with Elevated Head

Nasal Strips such as those by Breathe Right can be used to make it easier to breathe and clear nasal passageways.

Wash your nose and dry it with a cloth. Remove the liner of the strip and discard it. Place the strip on the lower-middle part of your nose, and continue to breathe in and out.

Let the strip be on your nose for a few hours. For enhanced effect, wear it overnight after elevating your head by placing it on a higher pillow. This allows for better drainage and breathing – easing the journey to a ‘no runny nose’.

How to Stop a Runny Nose with Home Remedies

You need not always resort to medicine in case of a runny nose. There are many well-known home remedies that work quickly to alleviate a runny nose:

  • Inhale Steam

Use a facial steamer or make your own: Pour water in a pot and place it over the stove to heat up. Take it off the stove as soon as it begins to produce steam (do not let it boil!). Next, place the pot on a table, cover your head with a towel and bring your face closer to the pot, enough to inhale the steam. Take deep, long breaths. If your face begins to get too hot, take a break away from the pot and then resume.

The steam opens your nose and stops the running. Blow your nose afterwards to get rid of the mucus present in the nose.

  • Drink Hot Beverages

Hot liquids are better than cold ones during a runny nose. This is because many of them have steam, inhaling which makes the nasal passage better. Thus, a good way to get rid of a runny nose is by having more tea, preferably non-caffeinated ones. Have some hot water with lemon, ginger and honey or opt for some herbal teas may also play the role of a mild decongestant.

  • Use Salt-Water in a Neti Pot

The neti pot looks just like a ceramic teapot. It is used for flushing of the nose, to clear if of mucus and stop it from running any longer.

For this, get some saline solution or salt-water. Use the neti pot to pour it into one nostril. The solution will then come out of the other nostril, flushing out the nose’s debris and mucus, and cleaning your sinus and nostril to allow easy breathing.

However, using the neti pot is not very easy and can become dangerous, thus the saline solution should be used with caution.

  • Use a Humidifier

The humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer is one way to enhance the moisture level indoors. This works in the same way as steam. Purchase a humidifier and switch it on. While the room becomes moist and slightly humid, your airway will become clearing itself, and the nasal passages shall become clearer. Then, you can easily blow your nose and get the mucus out without having to go a long time with a runny nose.

  • Compress your Nose

Take a washcloth and place it under a running tap of hot water to make it damp. Next, place the washcloth on your face and begin compressing your forehead as well as nose from the top. This helps in relieving pressure from the sinuses.