How Can I Stop a Runny Nose? Cold, Flu and Allergy Relief Tips

By Megan Sessums, Pharmacist Resident, BHMC-Little Rock

The weather is cooler, the leaves are falling and for many people, it’s the season for sniffles. This time of year, a lot of people wonder: How can I stop a runny nose?

How Can I Stop a Runny Nose?

You can only stop a runny nose when you’ve identified the cause of this symptom and started treating it. You could be suffering from allergies, a cold or the flu.

Since these conditions share symptoms and many over-the-counter medicines treat both cold and flu, it’s easy to get confused. Knowing the difference can help you and your doctor decide if antibiotics are needed.

Most of the time, over-the-counter medicines can help manage symptoms. And to prevent bacteria from becoming resistant, you should avoid antibiotics unless they are truly necessary – especially if your main concern is how can I stop a runny nose.

When Are Antibiotics Needed?

Antibiotics only work against bacteria, not viruses. They should be used when there is clear proof of a bacterial infection.

Using antibiotics too often for things like the common cold or flu makes them less effective. Not finishing your prescribed antibiotics can also lead to resistant bacteria. For example, if you stop after a few days, some bacteria survive, become stronger and can spread to others.

If you’re wondering how can I stop a runny nose with viral infections, antibiotics will not help.

The Common Cold

A cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat) caused by viruses. Symptoms include cough, sore throat, nasal congestion and a runny nose.

With a cold, you usually don’t have a high fever and you’ll recover in about 1–2 weeks. The rhinovirus causes most adult colds and is very contagious.

There is no cure for the common cold, so if you’re thinking, “how can I stop a runny nose,” focus on symptom relief.

• Pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) help with fever, sore throat and headaches.
  
  
• Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or oxymetazoline spray help with sinus pressure.
  
  
• Guaifenesin (Mucinex) thins mucus for a productive cough, while dextromethorphan (Delsym) helps a dry cough.
  
  

Your pharmacist can help you choose the right products if you’re not sure how can I stop a runny nose.

The Flu

The flu is also caused by a virus, but it’s more serious than a cold. It starts suddenly with a fever (102–106°F), body aches and fatigue. Adults rarely get a fever with a cold.

There is no cure for the flu, but prescription antivirals like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can shorten illness if taken within 48 hours. Still, if your main concern is how can I stop a runny nose, antivirals are not the solution unless you actually have the flu.

Bacterial Respiratory Illnesses

Bacterial infections like strep throat or pneumonia can cause fever, chills, cough and sinus pain. Pneumonia is the most common bacterial infection of the lower lungs. If a bacterial infection is suspected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. Over-the-counter medicines can also ease symptoms, but they are not the answer to how can I stop a runny nose caused by a virus.

Seasonal Allergies

A runny nose can also be caused by allergies. Over 36 million Americans have seasonal allergies, which can include sneezing, itchy eyes and a stuffy nose.

If you’re asking, “how can I stop a runny nose” from allergies, try over-the-counter antihistamines like fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin), or cetirizine (Zyrtec).

How to Prevent Getting Sick

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (about the time it takes to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”).
  
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  
  
• Get the flu vaccine every year if you’re 6 months or older.
  
  

Unfortunately, there’s no vaccine for the common cold.

Whether you’re dealing with a cold, flu, or allergies, your doctor can help figure out what’s causing your symptoms. And if your biggest question is how can I stop a runny nose, the answer depends on finding the real cause.