Effective nose drops for the common cold
Content:
- Vasoconstrictor nasal drops from the common cold
- Moisturizing nose drops for rhinitis
- Drops in the nose for edema and allergies
- Antimicrobial drops and ointments for the common cold
- Hormonal drops from the common cold
- Herbal drops from the common cold
- Homeopathic drops for the common cold
- Antiviral nasal drops for the common cold
- Silver based rhinitis drops
- Antibacterial drops for the common cold
- When to see an ENT doctor?
Vasoconstrictor nasal drops from the common cold
Drops with a vasoconstrictor effect are the most popular treatment for the common cold in young children. The same drugs, only in the form of a spray, are used for adults and children over six years old.
Their principle of action is quite simple: when applied to the mucous membrane lining the nose from the inside, a pronounced narrowing of the blood vessels occurs. The edema subsides, and the person can breathe through the nose again, since there will be no barriers to air entering the lungs for the duration of the drops.
Another effect that vasoconstrictor drops have is to reduce the rate of mucus production. It becomes less fluid and the person breathes easier.
However, it is worth remembering that any instructions attached to all drops that have a vasoconstrictor effect warn users against prolonged use of funds. The time interval that allows you to use drops and sprays without fear of the development of addiction is from 3 days to a week.
With occasional use, side effects usually do not develop. Long-term and regular use is dangerous. A peculiar dependence of the nasal vessels on the main active ingredient that is part of the drug develops. When applied, they narrow, when a dose is missed, they expand, edema occurs and a person cannot breathe normally. Sometimes there is an increase in puffiness even from the drops themselves.
To avoid such serious consequences, it is necessary to properly treat the runny nose as soon as it begins to develop.
Indeed, in addition to addiction, vasoconstrictor drugs can lead to:
- To a malnutrition of the nasal mucosa (constant use of drops for chronic rhinitis).
- Thinning of the walls of blood vessels, increasing their fragility. This leads to an increased risk of injury. So, blood vessels can be damaged even when blood pressure rises, which will lead to nosebleeds. (read also: nosebleeds - first aid and treatment)
- Arrhythmias, heart palpitations, headaches, sleep disturbances, nausea, depression are all side effects that can occur with an overdose of the drug.
In addition, it is forbidden to use any nasal drops that have a vasoconstrictor effect in hypertension, with hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, with diseases of the heart and blood vessels. If a woman is breastfeeding a child, then it is worth consulting a specialist in advance whether she can use this or that drug to stop a cold.
The main rules that must be followed during the use of drugs with a vasoconstrictor effect:
- It is forbidden to use them regularly.
- The application must be justified. The drug should be administered only when breathing is seriously difficult.
- If you feel the symptoms of a runny nose, you can try to eliminate the puffiness with the help of breathing exercises and massage, without using drops.
- During the day, it is better to use medications that retain their effect for four hours, since a state of complete congestion during wakefulness is rarely observed.
- For a night's rest, you can use a prolonged-release drug (up to 12 hours).
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As far as possible, it is necessary to minimize the time of contact with the drug and the frequency of its use. It is important to remember that breathing is most difficult during the initial stages of the disease.
- When there is an improvement, you should try to do without drops. Inhalation and the introduction of a mild saline solution into the nose can help relieve symptoms and speed recovery.
Xylometazoline
Most often, cold drops with the main active ingredient called xylometazoline are used to facilitate breathing during a cold.
There are several drugs with different names, but in each of them xylometazoline is the base component:
- Galazolin. It can be purchased in various dosage forms: drops and gel for use by adults and children.
- Spray from the common cold "DlyaNos".
- Spray for the common cold "Rinonorm".
- Spray for rhinitis "Xymelin".
As for sprays, they allow for more accurate dosing of the drug, due to the convenience and ease of use. Savings are another advantage of using sprays.
In addition, there are significantly fewer side effects among people who use sprays to get rid of the common cold. As for the duration of action of all drugs based on xylometazoline, it averages four hours.
Oxymetazoline
Oxymetazoline is another drug that has a vasoconstrictor effect and effectively helps to get rid of the common cold. Sprays based on it work for a long time. The effect after a single use can last up to 12 hours.
However, before using, it is important to make sure that the patient has no contraindications to its introduction into the nasal cavity:
- Gestation period;
- Diabetes;
- Age up to one year;
- Disorders of the kidneys.
Medicines that are produced on the basis of oxymetazoline:
- Nazivin. It can be purchased separately for use by adults and separately for use by children of different ages. The composition of the drug remains unchanged, however, the concentration of the main active substance is selected taking into account the age characteristics of different categories of patients. For adults, Nazivin can be purchased both in the form of a spray and in the form of drops. For children, the drug is available only in the form of drops.
- Spray Fervex.
- Spray Nazol. The drug Nazol Advance, in addition to containing oxymetazoline, is also supplemented with components that reduce the feeling of dryness in the nasal passages.
- Spray Fazin, which is produced by a Russian manufacturer.
Naphazoline
Naphazoline acts as a vasoconstrictor for no more than six hours. Medicines produced on its basis are the most inexpensive of a whole range of similar drugs, among them:
- Drops, emulsion, nasal spray are all forms of a drug called Sanorin. In addition to the main active ingredient - naphazoline, this drug is additionally enriched with vaseline oil, eucalyptus essential oil and boric acid. Due to these components, the effectiveness of Sanorin increases and its side effects are reduced.
- Drops from the common cold Naftizin.
Modern drugs capable of exerting a vasoconstrictor effect are:
- Tizine, which can be purchased as a spray or drop. The main active ingredient in it is tetrazoline, which belongs to the group of imidazolines. In pediatric practice, it is prescribed to children who have crossed the age limit of two years. The duration of its action is long enough and can reach 8 hours. Often, it is this tetrazoline-based drug that can help resume breathing when other drugs are ineffective.
- Farial, in which the active ingredient is indanazoline. The drug is produced in the form of a spray. It cannot be used by children under the age of seven and people with closed glaucoma.
Moisturizing nose drops for rhinitis
Drops from the common cold, aimed at moisturizing the nasal mucosa, are not drugs. They do not have a therapeutic, but rather an auxiliary function. Thanks to their use, you can improve the properties of mucus and make it easier to separate.
The maximum effect can be achieved by using moisturizers in combination with other drugs for the treatment of the common cold. This is especially true in the treatment of chronic atrophic rhinitis.
Moisturizers are prepared on the basis of water from mineral springs or from sea water. They include not only salts, but also a variety of trace elements - iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper. They help the cilia of the nasal mucosa to move more actively, normalize the functioning of the glands located in the nasal passage.
You can use moisturizers almost without restriction. They do not contain components that can cause side effects. Therefore, if the obstacle to the normal flow of air through the nasal passages is not swelling of the mucous membrane, but an abundance of mucus, then rinsing the nose with saline solution will be more effective than using drops or sprays with a vasoconstrictor effect.
Moisturizers to get rid of the common cold:
- Aqualor.
- Saline.
- Aqua Maris.
- Marimer.
Drops in the nose for edema and allergies
In order to increase the effect of the use of vasoconstrictor drops, manufacturers add substances that have an antihistamine effect to them. This helps to eliminate edema and relieves allergic reactions, if any. A person suffering from allergic rhinitis can get significant relief from the use of such funds, but their use is not excluded for colds.
Among these drugs:
- Vibrocil manufactured by a Swiss company. It is often used in pediatric practice to relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion in children. This drug can be found in three release forms: as a gel, as a spray and as drops. Not recommended for use for more than seven days in a row.
- Sanorin-Anallergin, manufactured by Czech manufacturers. The drug has one form of release - only in the form of drops. An overdose of this remedy may cause drowsiness and slow reaction. Therefore, it is recommended to bury it before a night's rest. Also, like Vibrocil, this drug should not be used for more than a week.
- Rinofluimucil is a new combined action drug manufactured by an Italian manufacturer. It is able to facilitate nasal breathing by liquefying thick secretions from the nose. In addition, the drug has a mild vasoconstrictor effect. This remedy is best used when the runny nose has lasted for the third or fourth day.
- Coldakt - pills for the common cold from an Indian manufacturer. When taking the drug, it should be borne in mind that it can cause increased drowsiness.
- Orinol is a combined preparation for the common cold produced in tablet form. It can make breathing easier, but it also causes drowsiness.
Antimicrobial drops and ointments for the common cold
When it is necessary, in addition to the vasoconstrictor effect, to obtain an additional antimicrobial effect, you can use combination drugs, including:
- Dr. Theis Nazollin. It contains not only xylometazoline, but also eucalyptus oil, which has an antimicrobial effect.
- Pinosol. This medication comes in the form of a spray, drops, cream, ointment and bath capsules. The preparation contains a mixture of various oils obtained from medicinal plants. These drops are non-addictive and can help fight many bacteria and viruses.
- Bactroban, the drug is available in the form of an ointment. The main active ingredient is active against staphylococci. It is advisable to apply the ointment when a purulent discharge from the nose appears, with a prolonged persistent rhinitis. When buying a drug, it is important to clarify that the patient needs a remedy for nasal administration, since there is Bactroban in the form of an ointment, but for the treatment of skin diseases. It is forbidden to put it in the nose.
- Polydexa with phenylephrine is a combined action drug that can have an anti-inflammatory effect and a vasoconstrictor effect at the same time. It contains an antibiotic and phenylephrine as a vasoconstrictor component. Release form - spray. However, Polideca is not suitable for the treatment of viral rhinitis, it cannot be used when carrying a fetus, with kidney problems and during lactation. The age limit is 2.6 years.
Hormonal drops from the common cold
If the patient suffers from allergic rhinitis, accompanied by a severe course, then it is possible to use nasal sprays with a hormonal component.
Among these drugs:
- Nazonex. This spray is fast acting. The effect can be felt already 12 hours after the first injection of the drug. Ease of use of the product lies in the fact that it is equipped with a manual dispenser, this avoids overdose. Since the drug is administered locally, it has no effect on the body. Can be used in children from the age of three.
- Beconase. Application from 6 years old is possible.
- Nasobek. children are allowed to take the drug after reaching 6 years of age.
- Fliksonase. admission is possible after the patient reaches 3 years of age.
It is worth remembering that drugs containing a hormonal component can only be used after consulting a doctor. The fact is that with uncontrolled prolonged use, it is possible to reduce the immune defense of the nasal mucosa. This will become a fertile environment for the development of bacteria and mycotic organisms.
Herbal drops from the common cold
Herbal remedies for rhinitis include a variety of essential oils, most often menthol or peppermint oil. When introduced into the nasal cavity, the patient receives a refreshing and antiseptic effect. Menthol is not able to eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane, but its use creates the effect of facilitating breathing by exerting an effect on the cold receptors of the nose.
Sinupret is a combined action drug. It promotes the liquefaction of phlegm, relieves inflammation, has an expectorant and mucolytic effect. Due to the decrease in puffiness, there is an easier discharge of exudate from the paranasal sinuses.
Sinupret can be used from early childhood - from two years of age. It has antiviral activity, increases the resistance of the nasal mucosa and throat to pathogenic agents. You can find the drug in drops and pills.
Homeopathic drops for the common cold
Homeopathic remedies are also often used to treat colds caused by ARVI. The drugs are available in the form of drops, sprays, syrups, pills, etc.
The effect on the body is complex - the removal of edema, increased immune resistance, elimination of viruses. If the disease is in the acute phase, then taking the drugs should be frequent - every 15 minutes during the first two hours. The dosage depends on the age.
Among the most famous drugs in this group:
- Edas-131.
- Euphorbium Compositum.
They are used by many adherents of homeopathic remedies, but it is difficult to judge the effectiveness. Each drug should be selected depending on the individual characteristics of the organism and on the course of the disease. Therefore, it is possible that the drugs will not meet the expectations of a particular person.
Antiviral nasal drops for the common cold
Nasal drops from the common cold, which have an antiviral effect, are an excellent means of preventing and treating colds in the initial stages of the development of a viral infection. They act precisely on the reproduction of viruses, thanks to the active components isolated from donated blood and created by genetic engineering.
If there is a threat of infection, such funds can be used as preventive measures. Their reception continues until the threat is eliminated.
As for the treatment of viral rhinitis, the funds should be used immediately after the onset of the first symptoms.
Antiviral drugs include:
- Grippferon is a solution for instillation into the nasal cavity.
- Arbidol capsules.
- Tamiflu capsules.
- Remantadine in tablet form.
- Kipferon in the form of rectal suppositories.
- Viferon in the form of rectal suppositories.
Silver based rhinitis drops
Drops containing silver will help to relieve inflammation, have an antiseptic effect, effectively and quickly eliminate a prolonged runny nose. It is also advisable to use them at the initial stages of chronic hypertrophic rhinitis.
These funds include:
- Protargol in 2% solution, release form - drops.
- Collargol in 2% solution, release form - drops.
Both drugs are based on colloidal silver. When it comes into contact with an inflamed mucous membrane, an astringent effect is obtained, as well as a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
Antibacterial drops for the common cold
If a runny nose is complicated by the addition of bacterial flora, or there is a complication in the form of sinusitis or sinusitis, then it is advisable to take antibacterial agents.
Among those:
- Framacetin, aerosol.
- Fuzafyunzhin, aerosol.
- Mupirocin, available as drops and nasal ointment.
When the drug is used in the form of an aerosol, its smallest particles penetrate into the deeply located parts of the nose. They have an antibacterial effect, reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. Aerosols are available for use even by breastfeeding women, as it acts locally without affecting the body.
When to see an ENT doctor?
How to treat a chronic form of the common cold depends on the etiology of the disease. Most often, the use of medications is required in combination with the use of methods aimed at strengthening the body. Physiotherapy procedures are not superfluous. If complex treatment does not give the desired effect, then it is necessary to resort to surgical intervention.
Modern medicine is increasingly using a laser to treat a cold. It allows you to eliminate the swelling of the mucous membrane, reduce the amount of exudate, and facilitate breathing.
When the cause of a chronic rhinitis lies in allergies, advice from an allergist is needed. He will perform the necessary diagnostic procedures and select the optimal therapeutic regimen.
If a runny nose lasts more than a month, this is the reason for contacting an otolaryngologist.
In addition, a visit to a specialist should not be postponed in the following cases:
- After 14 days of active treatment, nasal breathing does not return to normal;
- Periodic headaches occur;
- Lacrimation and pain in the eyes worries;
- The general condition is disturbed;
- The contents of the nose are purulent.
These symptoms clearly indicate the development of complications and require professional treatment.
There are many medications for the treatment of the common cold, but they must be used wisely. You should not use all drugs at once, hoping that any one will still produce a therapeutic effect. This is dangerous both in the development of complications and in side effects. The optimal start of rhinitis therapy is to see a specialist, and not to independently select drugs.
The author of the article: Lazarev Oleg Vladimirovich | ENT
Education: In 2009, he received a diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" at the Petrozavodsk State University. After completing an internship at the Murmansk Regional Clinical Hospital, he received a diploma in Otorhinolaryngology (2010)
