Medication

Fortunately there are a number of effective medical treatments which can control the symptoms.

• Antihistamines are drugs which counteract the effects of histamine and related substances. There are many available, and the right one is often found by trial and error. The main side effects of some older antihistamine drugs are dryness of the throat and drowsiness. Modern antihistamine drugs have very little in the way of side effects. It is usually possible to find an antihistamine which is both effective and comparatively free of side effects.
• Decongestant drugs act on the blood vessels in the nasal lining and make it shrink. Decongestant drugs can also be put directly in the nose as drops or sprays. They constrict the blood vessels and reduce the swelling.
• Steroid (cortisone-like) sprays and drops may be used with good effect in many patients. Another type of nasal spray uses a drug called sodium cromoglycate. This preparation blocks the chemical reaction between the allergen and its antibody, and so prevents the formation of histamine. Like the steroid spray, to be effective, it should be applied regularly. It can also be used as eye drops.

Nasal symptoms present all year round may sometimes be due to an allergy. However, the lining of the nose can react to many different irritants without a true allergy being present. This type of stuffy nose responds in most patients to the above types of treatment.

The most common nasal infection is a viral infection known as a cold. The virus causes swelling of the nasal membranes and the production of thick clear mucus. Symptoms usually last several days. If a cold goes on for many days and is associated with yellow or green drainage, it has may become secondarily infected by a bacteria. Sinus blockage can lead to acute or chronic sinusitis which can be characterized by nasal congestion, thick mucus, and facial pain. Prompt and aggressive treatment of infection with antibiotics, along with supplemental medications, or in some cases surgery, help to re-establishment the normal drainage pathways.