How To Treat Catarrh & Runny Nose

Catarrh can be annoying, and having to blow your nose all the time is irritating. Decongestants can help to stop your nose running so much, and make colds and flu more bearable. Often a decongestant is all that you need to use to help with your cold symptoms.

Treating Catarrh With Decongestants

There are two types of decongestants -

Tablets & Liquids -

• Penetrate deeply and get to all areas where they are needed, which sprays and drops may not
• Can be used for as long as you need until your cold or flu has gone. This can be an advantage over sprays and drops which should not be used regularly for more than a week
• Can keep you awake at night as they have a slight stimulant action. If this is a problem you can miss out the last dose and use a nasal spray or drops for overnight relief
• Can interfere with some medical conditions, and some other medicines, so it is most important to read the pack thoroughly. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure if they are suitable for you to use

Decongestant tablets and liquids can be used together with some other medicines such as pain killers for pain or high temperature, and cough medicines for dry or chesty coughs. You can use single ingredient products together, or they come ready mixed in many branded medicines. The common decongestants are pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. Check with your pharmacist if you are in any doubt about combining medicines together.

Sprays & Drops -

• Are more effective than tablets and liquids in the areas they reach, but can be a bit harder to use. Sprays are easier to use than drops
• Only use a small amount of medicine, and it only goes where you actually need it. Tablets and liquids have the medicine going to every part of the body, but only helping the nose
• Are good for nighttime use as they do not have the slightly stimulating action of the tablets and liquids, and so do not keep you awake
• Should only be used regularly for up to a week. If you use then for longer, the nose becomes used to them, and becomes runny or blocked when you stop using them, purely because it has got used to you using them regularly. This is called a rebound effect

Treating Catarrh With Aromatic Decongestants & Steam

Aromatic decongestant oils such as Menthol and Eucalyptus are popular decongestants and have a long history of use. Modern formulations combine these with other aromatic oils in a variety of formulations for babies, children and adults.

Steam inhalers are also useful for treating thick catarrh and blocked sinuses, because inhaling steam loosens catarrh and helps it to drain more easily. You can inhale steam simply using a bowl of hot water, but be careful about burning or scalding yourself with the hot steam and water. A towel over your head can concentrate the steam and make the whole process more efficient, but a proper steam inhaler can make the whole process much easier.