Constant coryza: what it could be (and what to do)

Coryza is almost always a sign of a cold or flu, but when it appears very often it can also indicate a respiratory allergy to dust, animal hair or another allergen that can move in the air, for example.

Although, most of the time, it is a temporary situation, the coryza can cause a lot of discomfort and, therefore, if it lasts more than 1 week to disappear, it is very important to consult an ENT to identify the cause and start the treatment. most appropriate treatment.

Check out a simple home remedy to dry a runny nose faster.

1. Flu and cold

The flu and cold almost always cause a runny nose in most people, being accompanied by other symptoms such as sneezing, headache, cough, sore throat and even low fever. This type of coryza can take up to 10 days to disappear and is not a cause for concern, disappearing as soon as the body is able to fight the virus.

What to do: to recover faster from a cold or flu, you should rest, drink about 2 liters of water a day, have a proper diet and avoid sudden changes in temperature. Check out other tips for treating the flu and cold, as well as some home remedies to relieve symptoms.

2. Respiratory allergy

Allergic reactions of the respiratory system usually cause inflammation of the tissues of the nose and therefore very often cause a runny nose. Although it can be confused as a sign of a cold, in these cases, the runny nose is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing and a feeling of heaviness in the area around the nose.

Furthermore, when it is caused by an allergy, a runny nose usually appears around the same time of year, especially in spring, as this is when there is a greater amount of allergens in the air, such as pollen, dust or fur. of dog.

What to do: when an allergy is suspected, you should try to discover the cause and then try to avoid it, in order to reduce the symptoms. However, if it is not possible to identify the cause, the ENT may advise the use of antihistamines and decongestants to reduce the body's response and decrease the runny nose and other allergy symptoms. See the most used remedies and other precautions you should have.

3. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses that causes the appearance of a runny nose, but normally the nasal discharge has a yellow or greenish color, indicating an infection. In addition to a runny nose, other typical symptoms of sinusitis may also appear, such as fever, headache, a feeling of heaviness in the face and pain near the eyes, which gets worse whenever you lie down or lean your head forward.

What to do: You usually need to be treated with nasal sprays and cold remedies to reduce headaches and fever, for example. However, if it is being caused by an infection, sinusitis may need to be treated with an antibiotic, which is why it is very important to see an ENT. See more about sinusitis, which remedies are used and how to do the home treatment.

4. Rhinitis

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the lining of the nose that causes a constant feeling of a runny nose, which takes a long time to disappear. Although the symptoms are very similar to those of an allergy, including sneezing and watery eyes, they are not caused by the immune system, so treatment should be different. Learn more about identifying rhinitis.

What to do: Nasal decongestants prescribed by the ENT or an allergist are usually used, but nasal washes may also be recommended to remove excess mucus. Check out how to wash your nose at home.

5. Nasal polyps

Although it is a much rarer cause, the presence of polyps inside the nose can also cause a constant runny nose. Polyps are small benign tumors that normally do not cause any symptoms, but when they grow they can cause a runny nose, as well as changes in taste or snoring when sleeping, for example.

What to do: No treatment is usually required, however, if symptoms have been constant and do not improve, your doctor may advise you to use corticosteroid sprays to reduce the inflammation of the polyps. If these sprays don't work, the polyps may need to be removed with minor surgery.

When to go to the doctor

Coryza is a relatively common condition, which, for the most part, is not a cause for concern. However, it is important to see a doctor if symptoms such as:

• Coryza that takes more than 1 week to improve;
• Coryza with greenish or bloody color;
• Fever;
• Difficulty breathing or feeling short of breath.

These symptoms may indicate that the runny nose is associated with some type of infection and, therefore, more specific treatment may be necessary to prevent the condition from worsening.