A runny nose can cause pain, irritation, and stress from the need to constantly wipe the area. Unfortunately, this can go on for quite a while, even if you seemingly feel great and have no other symptoms of illness. The good news is that you don’t have to live with a runny nose forever.

There are many home remedies you can use to stop the redness, dripping, and congestion quickly and effectively:

1. Drink hot tea
Hot tea will help hydrate you, but more importantly, the heat and steam from this can help open up your airways. Try to hold the cup under your nose and inhale before you take a sip. After a quick nose blow, you should be able to breathe much better. Some of the best teas to use are mint, ginger, and chamomile, as these contain herbs with anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Neti pot
Neti pots are designed to help with nasal irrigation to help clear the airways and improve runny nose issues. With one of these pots, you’ll want to add either saltwater or warm saline solution, then use the spout to pour it through one nostril. The liquid should run through your nostril and rinse out your sinuses so you immediately feel relief.

3. Cold and flu medications
If you’re not feeling well in general, then you may want to consider taking over-the-counter cold and flu medications to eliminate your runny nose. These contain decongestants and antihistamines that will clear up your nose, allow you to breathe, and stop the dripping. Make sure to read the packaging of the medication you choose to ensure you take it properly.

4. Steam
Inhaling hot steam from the shower or a facial steamer can help clear your airways so you can get the mucus out more effectively. Since essential oils can further enhance the effectiveness of this remedy, you may want to add a few drops of your favorite to your shower or facial steamer water. Thirty minutes is generally the perfect amount of time to breathe in steam to loosen things up and come out feeling like new again.

5. Saline spray
Over-the-counter saline sprays and drops can be excellent remedies for a nose that just won’t stop running. In fact, these tend to work within minutes so you can begin to breathe and can put the tissues away. While some of these are designed to be allergy and sinus treatments, some are simply designed to help with the occasionally blocked nose. However, it’s important to note that, in most cases, these shouldn’t be used for more than three days.

6. Allergy medications
If allergies are the culprits behind your runny nose, then allergy and sinus treatments may be necessary. If you haven’t taken these before, then you’ll quickly find there is a wide variety available at your local drug store. To determine which is right for you, read through the back of the box to see which symptoms it will help with. You’ll be able to find pills, sprays, and liquid drops so you find what suits you the best.