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• Method 1 of 2: Get rid of phlegm with home remedies
• Method 2 of 2: Get rid of phlegm with over-the-counter products

If you have a runny nose, it is often because you have an infection from a virus or bacteria. When your body is fighting an infection, mucus builds up and you get symptoms such as a runny nose. Nobody wants to blow their nose or wipe snot from their face for days on end. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of that slime with home remedies and over-the-counter remedies.

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Method 1 of 2: Get rid of phlegm with home remedies

1. Drink more. Drinking plenty of water will thin mucus and open your nostrils.Water loosens mucus by breaking it down or by diluting its contents. If you drink a lot of water, you will get rid of mucus in your nasal passages faster.
   • You can get rid of a cold or sinus infection faster if you drink a lot of water.
   • Drinks with caffeine such as tea, coffee and cola increase your mucus and dry out your body.
   • Mucus consists of water, skin cells, dead leukocytes, inorganic salts, and mucilage. If this composition is broken down, you can get rid of the mucus more easily.
   • Drinking more water will make you urinate more often and blow your nose more often, which will help you get rid of bacteria and infection sooner.
2. Give yourself a warm compress. Wet a clean washcloth with warm water and squeeze out the excess. Cover your nose and cheeks with the warm washcloth. The heat of the washcloth loosens the mucus and you have less pain due to clogged cavities.
   • The heat dissolves the mucus (which naturally has a solid shape), making it easier to blow it out of your nose.
3. Take a warm shower. The steam from the shower opens your nostrils, making it easier to get the mucus out. If your nasal passages are blocked, the steam loosens the mucus, making it easier to get rid of.
   • A steam bath can also help - boil a pot of water, take a blanket or towel to cover your head and inhale the steam to loosen the mucus.
4. Eat or drink warm liquid. Try to drink warm water or soup. This will loosen the mucus. The heat causes the blood vessels in the nasal passages to dilate, making the mucus liquid. This makes it easier to get it out of your body.

Method 2 of 2: Get rid of phlegm with over-the-counter products

1. Take an oral decongestant. A decongestant provides relief by counteracting the swelling of the mucous membranes. The mucus dries up, causing the airways to open again. The mucus is easier to cough up or expel, resulting in less mucus being produced.
   • Decongestants that are available without a prescription have variants that work for 12 or 24 hours.
   • These agents are available as pills, potions or nasal sprays.
   • Read the package insert before taking a decongestant.
   • If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor for advice before using any particular decongestant, as some ingredients can increase blood pressure.
2. Try cough suppressants or expectorants. A cough inhibitor reduces the cough reflex and reduces the stickiness and surface tension of the mucus. This makes it easier for mucus to pass out of the body, relieving chest pain from excessive coughing, and releasing mucus from the lower and upper airways.
   • Side effects to look out for include nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness.
   • Fluimicil, for example, is an expectorant that thins mucus, making it easier to cough up.
3. Use a nasal spray. Nasal spray is sprayed directly into the nasal passages. It narrows the blood vessels, which reduces the swelling of the mucous membrane. This reduces the amount of mucus produced and clears the nostrils so that you can breathe more easily.
   • Be careful not to use nasal spray too often, as this can make the blockage and mucus build-up worse.
4. Take oral antihistamines. Antihistamines ensure that histamines (substances that trigger allergic reactions that can cause the mucous membrane in your nose to become swollen and produce mucus) cannot come into contact with the nasal mucosa, thus preventing a runny nose and sneezing.
   • Common antihistamine over-the-counter products are cetirizine and loratadine.
     • Take these once a day when you go to bed. The effects are immediately noticeable.
     • Note that antihistamines can often make you sleepy, so don't take them before driving.
     • Also be aware that there may be other side effects such as headache, dizziness and dry mouth.
     • Do not take antihistamines with expectorants.
5. Wet your nostrils. Moisturizing your nostrils means pouring salt water into them. The principle is that you run a saline solution into one nostril to loosen the mucus and then let it out through your other nostril. This can remove accumulated mucus and speed healing.
   • You can use a nose cup or a pipette for this.
   • Make sure to use sterile, distilled, or boiled water for this so you don't get more infections.
   • Rinse the water additive well after use and let it dry.
   • Don't use this method too often, as it can also flush out protective agents that help fight infection.
   • When you can breathe normally and feel a little better, stop moistening your nose.