This article will go over post-nasal drip treatments you can do at home as well as when you should talk to your provider about post-nasal drip treatment.
Home Remedies & Lifestyle
There are several all-natural remedies you can use for mild cases of post-nasal drip. However, know that there is a lack of research on using home remedies to treat post-nasal drip and they should not be used in place of medical care from your provider.
Stay Hydrated
One of the easiest treatments for post-nasal drip is simply making sure that you’re getting enough fluid throughout the day.
Having thick mucus can be uncomfortable and can affect your breathing. Thinning out the mucus can reduce blockages and lower your risk of sinus or ear infections. Drinking enough fluids will help keep the mucus thin.
Checking the color of your urine is an easy way to tell if you’re hydrated enough. Your urine should be a pale yellow (“straw”) color. Darker urine can be a sign of dehydration.
Don’t Smoke (and Quit if You Do)
If you experience post-nasal drip, quitting smoking may treat the condition.
The chemicals in cigarettes can irritate your nasal passages and cause mucus to build up. This is the case whether you are a smoker or are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Not only is cigarette smoke an irritant, but it has been found to interrupt our body’s natural process of clearing our airways.
Use a Humidifier
A post-nasal drip treatment that requires a little more investment is buying a cool mist humidifier for your home.
Dry air can worsen postnasal drip symptoms. The mist from a humidifier helps to moisten the tissues inside your sinuses and thin the secretions.
Sip on Soup
Chicken soup is one of the oldest sniffles remedies in the book, but it can also be a home treatment for post-nasal drip.
Studies have shown that chicken soup may have some anti-inflammatory effects if you have a cold, especially if it has herbs and spices.
However, the real benefits of the “treatment” might actually come more from how nice it feels to be taken care of by someone who makes a comforting bowl of soup for us.
Take a Hot Shower
Try hopping in a hot shower if your post-nasal drip symptoms are acting up. Some people find that the steam helps to decongest their sinuses. The warm air can also help moisturize dry sinuses and airways.
Dust and Vacuum Regularly
A post-nasal drip treatment for your home, rather than your body, is simply keeping things clean—especially if allergies are causing your symptoms.
Dusting and vacuuming your house regularly can help manage year-round allergens like animal dander, dust mites, mold, and cockroaches.
Over-the-Counter Post-Nasal Drip Treatment
You can get over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for post-nasal drip at the pharmacy without a prescription.
Medications
Antihistamines block inflammation from an allergic reaction. There are older antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and newer non-drowsy ones like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine). Decongestants constrict the blood vessels in the sinuses, which helps reduce swelling and stuffiness. Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) are OTC decongestants. Glucocorticoid nasal sprays includes medications like Flonase Allergy or Rhinocort that help to lower inflammation.
Saline Nasal Mist
A saline nasal spray as a post-nasal drip treatment can be very helpful because it directly moisturizes your sinuses and thins secretions.
Saline is more like the natural fluids in your body and it has no medication—it’s just salt and water.
Neti Pot
Some people use a neti pot as a home treatment for post-nasal drip.
Nasal irrigation involves using a sterile salt-water rinse to clear your nasal passages. A neti pot is a useful tool for this purpose. It’s usually made of ceramic or plastic and looks like a flattened teapot.
Irrigating your sinuses may help with post-nasal drip if you have chronic sinusitis and allergies—especially if you use saline (for example, in products like syringes, squeeze bottles, and neti pots).
Use a sterile saline solution for the rinse. Do not use tap water or any liquid that is not sterile in your neti pot.
To use a neti pot to treat post-nasal drip:
Tilt your head to the side and make sure your head is low enough that your sinuses are lower than your throatPut the spout of the neti pot into your nostrilSlowly pour the saline gently into one side of the nose and let it flow out the other
Salt Water Gargle
Similar to rinsing your nose, doing a salt water gargle can help treat post-nasal drip.
Gargling with warm salt water may help clear mucus from the back of your throat. It’s also a classic home remedy for a sore throat.
Similar to how rinsing your nose with a saline rinse is helpful, salt water mouth rinses and gargles can help moisturize tissues because the liquid is more like the ones our body makes naturally.
To make a saltwater rinse at home, just stir 1 teaspoon of salt into 8 fluid ounces (1 cup) of lukewarm water. The water does not need to be sterile like it does with a neti pot.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Treatments for post-nasal drip that you can do at home might help your symptoms, but if they don’t, you’ll need to get medical treatment.
If you’re dealing with post-nasal drip, call your provider if:
You have trouble breathing because you’re congested You have new symptoms or your symptoms are getting worse You have a fever, severe sinus pain, or other signs of an infection such as green mucus
Summary
You can often treat post-nasal drip at home with remedies like doing salt water rinses, using a neti pot, and taking over-the-counter medications. It also helps to stay hydrated, keep the air in your home from getting too dry, and clean regularly to prevent allergens from building up.
If your post-nasal drip is becoming a chronic problem rather than an occasional annoyance, home remedies may not be enough to treat it. You’ll want to see your provider. They can help you find a better post-nasal drip treatment that addresses the cause of your symptoms.
A sensation of liquid dripping from the back of your nose and into your throatCough that tends to worsen at night and/or when you’re lying downSore throatTickling, scratchy, or itchy sensation at the back of your throatHoarse voice
Both Zyrtec and Claritin can relieve allergy symptoms and last for about the same amount of time. Zyrtec tends to work faster than Claritin but it can also make you feel sleepier.
