Postnasal drip occurs when excess mucus accumulates within the lower back of the throat and creates the feeling of dripping mucus. The condition can cause a persistent cough or a sore throat. The treatments for postnasal drip aim for the cause of the extra mucus, which can be a hypersensitive reaction or non-allergic rhinitis. A visit to a physician to determine the cause of the postnasal drip is an important first step towards curing it.
Remove allergens from the environment when possible
Allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander and mold can all aggravate the nasal cavity and cause postnasal drip. Bathe your pets to remove dander that may cause an inflammation which could lead to postnasal drip. If you have a severe allergy towards pet, and the postnasal drip because of it, then you should make the hard decision of removing your pets from your house. You could give the pet to someone you know, or you can leave it at an animal shelter.
Use an air purifier to remove allergic irritants from the environment
A humidifier can upload moisture to the air, which relieves the irritation in the nasal cavity. When the nasal cavity is irritated, it produces excess mucus as a reaction.
Consult an allergist
Continual postnasal drip might be because of an underlying hypersensitive reaction to food that you know about. Get an allergist diagnose you to discover exactly which things you are allergic to. Once the cause has been discovered, you can get rid of the allergy causing item (or pet) and get rid of the postnasal drip.
Drink lots of fluids to remain hydrated
Dehydration can worsen the symptoms of rhinitis and postnasal drip. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they can cause dehydration. Water is the best option to stay hydrated while stricken by rhinitis and postnasal drip.
Blow your nose regularly to remove extra mucus in the nasal cavity
Blowing air through the nostrils can remove irritants which cause the build up of mucus. For mucus that can’t be cleared after blowing the nostril, a few folks opt for snorting and spitting the excess mucus from the back of the throat, avoiding awful breath and dry mouth.
Rinse the nasal cavity to remove mucus causing irritants
Over-the-counter saline kits and nasal sprays are available to rinse the nasal hollow space. The saline solution flushes the irritants from the nasal hollow space, thins the mucus and relieves the membranes within the nose.
image courtesy of: i.ytimg.com, vkool.com.
