However, if your runny nose is accompanied by a fever or chills, headache, body aches, or a sore throat, it’s probably a cold or other viral infection like the flu or COVID-19, which can all set off similar symptoms. There are a few differences, though. A cold is typically milder than the flu and COVID-19; you’re also less likely to have a fever with a cold. And while COVID can make your nose run, it more often presents with fatigue, cough, and fever, notes Dr. Ren.
Another way to differentiate is through other symptoms, like the color of your snot. With allergies, your mucus will be clear. With any viral infection, your mucus may start clear and then get thicker and turn a yellowish color as the illness progresses, says Dr. Ren. A persistent virus can also devolve into a secondary infection, like a sinus infection—your nose may continue to run, and on top of it, you could experience persistent congestion, facial pressure, headache, thick yellow/green mucus, and possibly bad breath, according to Dr. Ren.
How to stop a runny nose quickly
To get immediate relief for a runny nose, Dr. Ren suggests first blowing your nose gently to clear excess mucus. Then, apply a warm compress to the outside of your nose to help loosen mucus. Finally, use an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray or oral medication that’s meant for relieving congestion—we’ve got some specific recommendations for those below.
The best medication for a runny nose
Again, keep in mind that the best way to stop a runny nose will depend on what’s causing it to drip in the first place. These treatments can help, but they won’t get rid of the underlying cause—that might take some time or a trip to your doctor’s office. In the meantime, these medications can provide some relief.
For allergies: If your face turns into a river of snot every time you lay with your furry friend on the couch or enjoy your morning coffee on the deck, you’re probably dealing with an allergy. Thankfully, there are a plethora of OTC antihistamines you can try. These medications come in the form of pills or nasal sprays and help tamp down on your body’s allergic response, which can help dry up the snot and ease other bothersome symptoms.
Nasal spray options include steroids (e.g. Flonase, Nasacort), which are best for allergies and long-term inflammation but take some time to work; and antihistamines (e.g., Azelastine), which work quickly for allergy-related runny noses but may cause drowsiness, Dr. Ren says.
For viral infections: When you’re fighting off a respiratory infection, OTC decongestants can shrink the blood vessels inside the nose, which reduces mucus output. Think: oral meds like pseudoephedrine/Sudafed. Nasal spray decongestants (e.g. oxymetazoline/Afrin) can also help to calm inflammation in the nose and provide fast relief, “but should only be used sparingly to avoid rebound congestion,” says Dr. Ren. Always read the packaging and use as directed, but typically this can happen if you use these sprays for longer than three to five days or more frequently than recommended, Dr. Van Groningen says. “This means that your symptoms may return and even worsen once treatment stops.”
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