I have had a cold for 2 wks. My runny nose is driving me round the bend esp at work. Any ideas to beat it?

Answer 1

There are a lot of so called colds at the moment, especially with kids going back to school. If you are concerned see your GP. I am a GP myself, but I would advise you that if your symptoms persist then you must be seen to be examined.

Do you have any fever ? chills? muscle aches? joint stiffness?

Or does you face hurt when you lean forward ? Associated headache ?

Do you have any known allergies ?


Rhinovirus is the virus responsible for colds...it can last a few days sometime a couple of weeks.

Sinusitis: your sinuses are filled with inflammed fluid which can get infected. You can use nasal sprays such as beconase/flixonase over the counter. An antihistamine such zirtec or clarityn ( non drowsy) can help. Pirition is good may it is also sedating. I would also recommend steam inhalations with Vicks. If infected, painful sinuses and fever or mucky green discharge then you will need antibiotics.

Polyp: If you have a polyp which are fairly common then this will cause persistent nasal discharge. Only by being examined can a doctor determine this. Occasionally people are referred to ENT surgeons for excision.

Hay fever/allergy: have you got asthma or eczema ? If so you could have hay fever. Again antihistamines and nasal sprays can help. Animal hairs/washing liquids all can cause an allergy.

Have you got any other symptoms ? Tiredness, sore throat, night sweats, rashes or spontaneous bruising? If so contact your GP as you many need blood tests.

Answer 2

A runny nose from a cold is very unusual. A worst case scenario is about 10 days in which you see a change from a lot of sneezing to stuffy and running and sneezing and then to stuffed and then stopping.

My guess is similar to what others here suggest - it might be an allergy. Maybe even on top of a cold.

Do you have any other symptoms? A runny nose comes seldom alone in a cold, it's accompanied by a soar throat, cough, maybe even fever.

No other symptoms? That again points to an allergy.

To get rid of the symptoms of an allergic running nose you can buy some drugs over the counter without prescription. Benadryl or any other brand. Many are different with the antihistamines they use and you have to find the one which works best for you. Careful - many make you drowsy.

The best is - if you can - stay away from the cause of the allergy. A doctor can perform a test and tell you what causes it...grass pollen, animal hair....

If it is a cold however and going on for 2 weeks might ight be a good idea to see a doc because this is not normal.

My cold started last weekend and is almost gone now. I used the traditional natural healing: lots of hot chicken broth, lots of sleep, fresh fruit, vitamins, gargeling with Listerine that stuff is really good!). And fought the symptoms during the day with Dayquil and Nyquil kind of stuff from the supermarket so I could work. Worked just fine.

Answer 3

What you need to do is to go to a herbalist shop and buy: New Era for coughs, colds and chestiness. This product was recommended to us by a friend and now recommended by my Doctor. It is a homeopathic remedy, that is best taken at the first onset of a cold, but can be taken during a cold. The small tablets that melt on the tongue, cleverly replace the mineral salts lost during a cold. My family and I take them and they clear it up a lot faster than anything else.

Answer 4

Might not be a cold. You may need to see a doctor. But in the mean time; Vitamine C with enchinea works well good.
Get some rest and drink fluids.

Answer 5

Go to the drug store and buy Zicam swabs. They are swabs that you use inside your nostrils to help cure colds and sinus problems. I use them all the time as soon as I feel my nose and/or sinuses clogging up and it stops the problem within 24 hours. I would not be without Zicam in my drug cabinet as I keep it handy all the time just in case. I have not had a nasal congestion problem since I have used this... It works GREAT for me... and I am sure it will help you too.. Good Luck!

Answer 6

A cold shouldn't last two weeks. I would go see a doctor to see if it's something else. Maybe you have allergies. Also, if it is a cold, the doctor can prescribe you some serious medication.

In the meantime, take echinacea and elderberry pills, and drink lots of orange juice.

Answer 7

when I get really sick I take a bath in sea salt and baking soda. in about 2 inches of hot hot water in your tub add a pound of sea salt and a pound of baking soda, stir it and let it dissolve, cool the water down so you can get in it then fill your tub up with water as hot as you can take it, soak in it for a long time,make sure you lay deep in the tub, this sounds dumb but it does work, they say it cleans your system out, it works for me all the time, and if your wondering where to get sea salt its at the store by the regular table salt, the containers are 1 pound so use the whole container of sea salt and the whole container of baking soda. I do this whenever I get the flu or cold..

Answer 8

Try steaming your head over a bowl of very hot water with a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint pil (also fab for your skin!). Make sure you invest in those posh tissues with the soothing balm, because if you keep wiping you may be damaging delicate skin tissues which keeps the sniffle going.

Answer 9

Probably should go to the doc. Colds don't usually last that long. Might be a sinus infection, or could just be allergies. If it's a sinus infection, you'll need an antibiotic.

Answer 10

go to your chemist and get contact. They basically work by drying up the symptoms of a cold or flu for 12 hours approx