Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for my daughters post nasal drip

by Dr. Carmel Ryan Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Drinking more water, eliminating caffeine, and avoiding diuretics (medications that increase urination) will help. Mucous-thinning agents such as guaifenesin (Humibid®, Robitussin®) may also thin secretions. Nasal irrigations may alleviate thickened secretions.

What is the best medicine to stop post nasal drip?

  • diphenhydramine, as in Benadryl
  • chlorpheniramine, as in Chlor-Trimeton
  • loratadine, as in Claritin or Alavert
  • fexofenadine (Allegra)
  • cetirizine (Zyrtec)
  • levocetirizine (Xyzal)
  • desloratadine (Clarinex)

How do you get rid of post nasal drip fast?

Post Nasal Drip Remedies

  1. Gargle with salt water. Gargling with salt water can give you relief from throat irritation. ...
  2. Steam inhalation. Use steam treatments, with or without essential oils, to control excess mucus production that causes post-nasal drip, cough and throat irritation.
  3. Nasal Irrigation. ...
  4. Garlic home remedy for post nasal drip. ...

More items...

How to stop post-nasal drip?

Gargling with salt water is one of the best home remedies to ease the discomforts of post-nasal drip. It helps thin the mucus, making it easier for you to get rid of it. It also flushes the irritants out of the nasal passages. Add ½ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water. Stir thoroughly until the salt dissolves.

Does Flonase help post nasal drip?

Steroids can be used to treat postnasal drip because they reduce the amount of mucus that can cause coughing, pressure in the nose, and sore throats. Allergic rhinitis is caused by allergies and can be treated with sprays such as Flonase and Rhinocort.

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How do you stop post-nasal drip in children?

Antihistamines, which block the release of histamines during allergic reactions, are extremely effective. Nasal steroid sprays are used to reduce swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages promoting proper drainage.

What is the quickest way to get rid of post-nasal drip?

A simple way to thin it out is to drink more water. Other methods you can try include: Take a medication such as guaifenesin (Mucinex). Use saline nasal sprays or irrigation , like a neti pot, to flush mucus, bacteria, allergens, and other irritating things out of the sinuses.

What medicine is best for post-nasal drip?

Over-the-counter decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help reduce congestion and eliminate postnasal drip. Newer, nondrowsy antihistamines like loratadine-pseudoephedrine (Claritin) can work to get rid of postnasal drip.

Is there a cure for constant post-nasal drip?

Environmental triggers, such as allergies, cold weather, or dry air, may cause postnasal drip. While treatment options depend on the cause, postnasal drip often clears up without the need for medication. However, antihistamines and decongestants may help those with viral infections or allergies.

What happens if post-nasal drip is left untreated?

Most cases of post-nasal drip go away with time, but long-lasting, untreated post-nasal drip and excess mucus can create a breeding ground for germs, which in turn can lead to additional health complications, including sinus infections and ear infections.

Does Vicks help post-nasal drip?

Vicks VapoRub — a topical ointment made of ingredients including camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol that you rub on your throat and chest — doesn't relieve nasal congestion. But the strong menthol odor of VapoRub may trick your brain, so you feel like you're breathing through an unclogged nose.

How do doctors treat nasal drip?

A nasal steroid spray (such as beclomethasone/Beconase or triamcinolone/Nasacort) Ipratropium (Atrovent) nasal spray which inhibits secretions (such as mucus)

What dries up sinus drainage in throat?

"Decongestants dry up the mucus that collects in the back of the throat as a result of the infection. Expectorants melt the mucus." Look for over-the-counter decongestants that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, such as Sudafed. "I recommend taking this in the morning only.

Does Zyrtec help with post-nasal drip?

Thin postnasal drip secretions caused by allergies may be treated with antihistamines. Second-generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec and Claritin may offer better relief than older-type antihistamines such as promethazine (older antihistamines tend to thicken post-nasal secretions).

Does Flonase help post-nasal drip?

Nasal steroid sprays are effective at treating postnasal drip because they reduce the amount of mucus that causes coughing, sinus pressure, and sore throats. Flonase and Rhinocort are examples of nasal sprays that are used to treat allergic rhinitis, which is a recurring postnasal drip due to allergies.

What foods make post-nasal drip worse?

Symptoms are typically worse after eating. Spicy foods and carbonated beverages are strong triggers of LPR. (If you have significant PND symptoms after eating spicy foods or drinking carbonated beverages, you are likely suffering from LPR.)

How do I get rid of mucus in the back of my throat?

Self-care stepsGargle with warm salt water. This home remedy can help clear mucus from the back of your throat and may help kill germs.Humidify the air. ... Stay hydrated. ... Elevate your head. ... Avoid decongestants. ... Avoid irritants, fragrances, chemicals, and pollution. ... If you smoke, try to stop.

Now What?

What About Chicken Soup?

Self-treatment: Self- care steps that may be helpful in some less- serious cases:
  • Sleep with your head slightly elevated
  • Stay properly hydrated
  • Drink warm fluids such as tea, soup
  • Rinse your sinuses
See a doctor if you notice:
  • Postnasal drip is accompanied by fever
  • Producing green, yellow or bloody mucus
  • Producing mucus that has a strong odor

See a doctor immediately if you notice:
  • Wheezing, losing breath and (or) fainting

When Should I Call A Doctor?

The Bad News/Good News About Post-Nasal Drip

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Now that you have an official diagnosis, what can you do for it? There are a number of treatment options, including home remedies and over-the-counter medications: 1. A humidifier or steam inhalation (as during a hot shower) 2. Keeping well-hydrated (to keep the mucus thinner) 3. Sleep on propped up pillows, to keep the …
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Causes

  • If you've been told that chicken soup helps with post-nasal drip (or other symptoms of a cold or flu), it's true! But it doesn't actually have to be chicken soup - any hot liquid can help thin the mucus and help you maintain hydration.
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Symptoms

  • In most cases, post-nasal drip is annoying but not dangerous. However, you should contact your doctor if you have: 1. Unexplained fever 2. Bloody mucus 3. Wheezing or shortness of breath 4. Foul smelling drainage 5. Persistent symptoms despite treatment
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Treatment

  • Post-nasal drip is among the most common causes of persistent cough, hoarseness, sore throat and other annoying symptoms. It can be caused by a number of conditions and may linger for weeks or months. That's the bad news. The good news is that most of the causes can be quickly identified and most will improve with treatment. Image: Cecilie_Arcurs/Getty Images
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Clinical significance

Prognosis

  • Post-nasal drip occurs when abnormally thin or thick mucous makes us aware of it running down the back of our throats. It is the sensation of having a \"drip\" in the back of the throat, which can also be accompanied by feeling the need to clear your throat. You likely will also suffer from a chronic cough.
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Prevention

  • Post-nasal drip treatment is dependent on the root cause of the condition. This article will cover different types of treatments for post-nasal drip including things that you can do at home. When treating post-nasal drip at home you may need to vary your treatment slightly depending on whether the secretions are thick or thin. Try the tips below based upon the cause of your sympto…
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