How to Reduce Post-Nasal Drip

Post-nasal drip occurs when the body produces excess mucous that runs down the back of your throat. Causes of post-nasal drip include bacterial infections, colds, flu, head injuries, sinusitis and allergies, to name a few. Although rarely serious, excessive mucous drainage may plug up the eustachian tube between the nose and the ear and cause ear or sinus infections. There a variety of ways to ease symptoms and reduce post-nasal drip.

Things You'll Need

• Vaporizer or humidifier
• Saline nasal spray
• Warm salt water

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Instructions

• 1

  Set up a vaporizer or humidifier, which can be purchased at many drug stores. These devices increase the humidity in the air, which is helpful in loosening mucous and preventing infection. This method can be combined with drinking extra fluids, which also helps thin mucous.

• 2

  Use an antihistamine or a saline nasal spray if you suspect your post-nasal drip is caused by allergies. Decongestant sprays reduce swelling of nasal tissues by shrinking the blood vessels, which helps reduce mucous buildup.

• 3

  Irrigate your nose. The irrigating solution can be made by mixing two to three teaspoons of non-iodized salt (which does not sting) with a pint of room-temperature water. Irrigation using salt water helps reduce swollen nasal tissue and washes out built-up mucous. Irrigation can be done several times per day as needed to reduce symptoms.