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Inhalations for a runny nose are a home way to fight a troublesome runny nose, unclog the nose and get rid of a headache. Inhalations can be used in the case of sinus problems, but even a common cold in the course of a cold will have a positive effect. For inhalation, you can use a special inhaler or a bowl of hot water with the use of herbs or essential oils. Which rhinitis inhalations are the most effective?
The common cold, also known as an upper respiratory tract infection (URI), is one of the most common causes of doctor visits. Although the name “common cold” may suggest that we are sick from cold weather, this is not entirely true. There are over two hundred different viruses that cause infections of the upper respiratory tract.
Colds can be spread through the air (e.g. inhalation of droplets from the respiratory tract from coughing or sneezing) and close personal contact (e.g. touching the nose or mouth with the hand or other object exposed to the virus). Thanks to this, the whole family and colleagues can be easily infected in a short time. A crowded and cramped space is the perfect environment for the spread of colds.
Allergies are another common cause of a runny nose. This happens when you come into contact with allergens or irritants that trigger an allergic reaction.
Allergens can include dust, pollen, animal hair, and even certain foods. In people allergic to pollen, allergies appear seasonally. In this situation, you can expect a runny nose in spring and summer, when flowering plants, trees, weeds and grasses start producing pollen.
Allergic reactions arise because the immune system reacts to allergen particles, which are perceived as an invasive threat to your health. These particles can also irritate the nasal passage. As a result, the body reacts with a runny nose, sneezing or inflammation. Nasal discharge resulting from allergies is usually clear. In rare cases, it can become yellow and purulent.
Hormonal changes or imbalances can cause inflammation and enlargement of the blood vessels in the nose, and therefore a runny nose. This condition is known as endocrine rhinitis. Hormonal changes or imbalances can directly affect the membranes in the nasal tract. Then the nose will start producing more mucus than usual, causing a runny nose.
Hormonal rhinitis is a common symptom in pregnant women. This is because pregnancy is a period of major hormonal changes. 39% of pregnant women experience a runny and blocked nose. The menopause, puberty, and the use of contraceptives can also lead to hormonal rhinitis.
The editorial board recommends: What does a green runny nose mean in a child?
Steam inhalation is one of the most commonly used home remedies to soothe and open up the nasal passages and relieve symptoms of the common cold, sinus infections, and runny nose.
Steam inhalation is the inhalation of water vapor. Warm, moist air is believed to work by relaxing the mucus in the nasal passages, throat and lungs. This can relieve symptoms of inflammation, swelling of blood vessels in the nasal passages.
While steam inhalation won’t cure an infection like a cold or the flu, it can help you feel much better when your body is fighting it.
Try the brine for inhalation and bathing. BRINE from ZABŁOCIA, which helps to open the airways.
See: Flu – causes, symptoms, treatment, complications. Flu vaccine
The most common rhinitis inhalations are made with the addition of herbs or essential oils. For inhalation, you need a bowl of hot water, a towel, and a selected essential oil or brewed herbs. The herbs should be brewed according to the instructions on the package, and the essential oil should be sprinkled 3–5 drops into a bowl of hot water. The bowl should be directed so that the water vapor flows towards the nose and sinuses. It is worth covering yourself by covering the bowl with a large towel or blanket so that water vapor does not escape.
Whole inhalations should last about 5 minutes. After inhalations, it is important to protect the hot head and sinuses from the cold, e.g. in the autumn and winter period, when it is cool, put on a cap. Runny nose inhalations should be repeated for the next 5 days or until symptoms disappear.
An inhaler will certainly help to facilitate inhalation. You can now buy an inhaler or nebulizer for children and adults on Medonet Market. Also try Neno brand nebulizers, including:
- Nebulizer – Neno Sente compressor inhaler,
- Neno Bene mobile nebulizer.
Salt is also available on Medonet Market. For rhinitis inhalation, you can choose Himalayan pink fine salt or Himalayan pink coarse salt from Pro Natura. It is also worth trying out Zabłock’s brine-bromine inhalation mist with antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
To facilitate inhalation, it is worth having your own device. Buy the pneumatic-piston inhaler with particle size regulation Flaem 4Neb today, which is available at a promotional price on the Medonet Market.
You can also use herbs for inhalation. For heating dried herbs, for example:
- waporyzator Storz & Bickel Volcano Classic,
- waporyzator DynaVap the M 2020,
- waporyzator Fenix Mini,
- portable vaporizer Crafty Storz & Bickel Crafty +.
Essential oils for inhalation for runny nose
Various essential oils can be used for rhinitis inhalation. Thyme oil is indicated for cough and runny nose, as well as for colds, tonsillitis, and even sinusitis in general. It is not recommended for pregnant women and people with hypertension! Thyme has a decongestant effect.
Peppermint oil for runny nose
Peppermint has a natural cooling effect that provides a feeling of well-being when your sinuses are blocked because it contains menthol. Menthol can affect the receptors of the nasal mucosa. This, in turn, can clear the mucus and open up the airways. Laboratory studies show that using peppermint oil can fight bacteria, and it can help soothe a runny nose.
A second animal study found that peppermint oil may be helpful in treating inflammation. Adding a few drops of peppermint oil for inhalation for runny nose will clear the airways and speed up the healing process.
Tea tree oil for runny nose
Tea tree essential oil is great for fighting both colds and flu because it works very well against viruses and bacteria. One study found this essential oil to contain a compound called alpha-sabine. This compound is effective in antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial activity.
The second way tea tree oil can help is by reducing inflammation and swelling. Once the swelling has subsided, it can help relieve the common symptoms of nasal congestion. This includes runny nose and sinus pain.
Eucalyptus oil for runny nose
Eucalyptus oil is proving to be a promising natural remedy for congestion and sinusitis. Many over-the-counter products contain eucalyptus oil because of its history of use for cough, cold, shortness of breath, and sinus congestion.
Eucalyptus oil contains a compound called cineole. One study found that this compound could be an effective and safe treatment for sinus problems. The study compared one group with a placebo group. They found that the group that received the compound reported fewer sinus problems than the control group.
Rosemary oil for runny nose
Rosemary has a very sweet fragrance and is a popular culinary ingredient. You can use it to relieve any inflammation of the airways and it will relieve symptoms of a runny nose or sinus pressure. You can use it topically or inhale during steam inhalation.
The review matched the control group with the placebo group and made the control group inhale rosemary. The second group had a similarly fragrant plant. They found that the control group had significantly lower levels of sinusitis than the placebo group at the end of the study.
Lavender oil for runny nose
Lavender essential oil has calming properties that can help you feel sleepier and more relaxed. One animal study found lavender to have pain-relieving properties and may help lower levels of inflammation.
Another study suggests that lavender oil may soothe inflammation and bronchospasm, and this may reduce the severity of coughing. Pain relieving properties help you fall asleep, and sleep can help your body heal or fight a cold and a runny nose more easily.
Cinnamon for runny nose
Cinnamon is a popular spice used in cooking and baking and has a very warm and pungent smell. This fragrance has a long medical history which suggests it is good at fighting infection. The best way to use it is to diffuse it in the air for a short time and inhale it, or add it to steam inhalation.
Cinnamon can be useful in keeping bacteria from multiplying and spreading in the respiratory tract. It blocks their reproduction, and this helps the body to fight them faster. This is especially helpful with a runny nose.
Cypress for runny nose
Cypress essential oil contains a chemical called camphene. This powerful compound also helps cypresses double as an expectorant. This means it can slow down mucus production and a cold or sinus congestion.
A review of cypress and nutmeg essential oils found that both are effective at fighting respiratory infections. When they start to slow down the body’s natural production of mucus. This reduces nasal congestion and helps you feel better.
Salt inhalation for runny nose
Salt can also be used for rhinitis inhalation. Salt inhalation is prepared in the same way as inhalation with oil or herbal infusion, but instead of such additives, you should put a tablespoon of salt into the bowl and inhale for 10-15 minutes or even until the water has cooled down. Thanks to salt, the secretion in the mucous membranes will thin out and the respiratory tract will cleanse. However, you cannot add too much salt to the water, because then the inhalation will dry up the already irritated mucous membranes in the nose.
Contraindications to the use of inhalation include:. respiratory haemorrhages, severe heart failure, respiratory failure.