You should see a doctor for nasal congestion or a runny nose if you:
- are wheezing, feeling short of breath, or having difficulties breathing
- develop a fever several days after the start of a stuffy or runny nose, or have had a fever for more than 5 days
- have green or yellow discharge from the nose
- feel pressure on the inside of your forehead and cheeks
- have an earache
- have a very sore throat
- have a runny or stuffy nose for more than 1 week without explanation
Non-medication treatment
If you do not have the previously listed signs and symptoms, the following tips can help you feel better:
- To loosen mucus in your nose:
- Drink lots of fluids - but avoid caffeinated soft drinks.
- Use a cool mist humidifier in your room.
- Use saline nasal spray (you can buy that at most pharmacies) or make your own saline nasal drops by adding ¼ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of cool water. Use 2 to 3 drops into each nostril several times a day.
- You may be more tired than usual. Make sure you get lots of rest
- If you have a runny or stuffy nose because of allergies, avoid things that trigger your allergies (e.g., pets, dust, pollen, etc.).
Over-the-counter medications
Many over-the-counter medications for cold or flu symptoms are available as combination products, so you may be getting medication that you don't need if all you're trying to do is relieve your nasal symptoms. If your runny or stuffy nose is from allergies, you can try allergy medications.
- Antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, loratidine, certirizine, fexofenadine)*
- They prevent your body from reacting to things that trigger your allergies.
- They are more useful if the runny or stuffy nose is due to allergies.
- Nasal decongestant sprays (e.g., phenylephrine, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline)*
- They reduce the congestion in the nasal passages.
- You should not use them for more than 3 days in a row. If they are used for longer than 3 days, your stuffy nose can get worse after you stop using the spray.
- Oral decongestants in pill form (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine)*
- They reduce the congestion in the nasal passages.
Ask your pharmacist which over-the-counter medication is right for you.
What not to do
Here are some things you should not try and why:
- Do not use nasal decongestant sprays for more than 3 days - your stuffy nose may be worse after stopping the nasal decongestant.
- Don't bother using vitamin C or echinacea to prevent or treat runny or stuffy nose due to a cold - they are not proven to prevent or shorten the duration of a cold.
- Avoid steam vaporizers, especially when children are present, because they can be a burn hazard.
- Do not give acetylsalicylic acid* (ASA, Aspirin®) to people younger than 18 years old because of the risk of Reye's syndrome.
* All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
You should feel better in about 1 week.
You should see a doctor if you:
- still have a runny or stuffy nose in 1 week or are feeling worse
- have any of the signs and symptoms listed previously
