Sufferers of chronic post-nasal drip know the symptoms well. The dry cough, itchy, runny nose, and persistent dripping in the back of the nose and throat are unmistakable signs of irritating post-nasal drip. Allergies are one of the most common causes of chronic post-nasal drip. The main culprits can be found outside in nature, and inside a home or workplace.
Post-nasal drip is usually associated with a condition known as rhinitis, which refers to swelling and inflammation of the nasal and sinus lining. The symptoms are generally due to an inability to quickly clear excess mucus from the nasal passages. Allergies can set off rhinitis and post-nasal drip because an allergic reaction tends to produce more mucus than the body can rapidly eliminate.
Allergy-related causes of chronic post-nasal drip can come in the form of seasonal allergies to outdoor irritants or chronic allergies spurred by allergens found in the home or office. Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, occur at various times of the year and are set off by allergens such as pollen and grass. Spring and summer are common seasons for this type of allergy because of the abundant pollen in the air and grass particles floating around after lawns are mowed.
Recurring or permanent allergies generally come from irritants found inside the home or in the workplace. Dust, dust mites, and pet dander are the biggest offenders when it comes to chronic post-nasal drip caused by indoor allergens. Some office allergy sufferers point to mold as the main cause of allergic reactions when symptoms only occur while at work.
Some non-allergy causes of rhinitis and chronic post-nasal drip include poor air quality, quick temperature fluctuations, and spicy foods. Irritants such as smog, pollution, and car exhaust can lead to faster blood flow in the nasal passageways and increased nasal secretions. Unlike an allergic reaction, this is a temporary response to a specific agent such as strong detergent or fragrance smells, or smoke from cigarettes, pipes, or cigars. Symptoms caused by these irritants usually go away when the annoyance is removed.
On rare occasions, post-nasal drip may be a side effect of certain medications. Drugs used to treat anxiety, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, and some types of oral birth control have been thought to cause post-nasal drip. Drug interference is rarely the cause of post-nasal drip, however, and a physician can usually determine when a prescription medication is causing rhinitis and associated symptoms.
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drtroubles
Post 13 |
It took me a long time to figure out what caused my post-nasal drip because I didn't have any allergies. I made sure I was tested at the doctors because my nose just wouldn't stop dripping and it was starting to drive me crazy.
I discovered that I was really responding to the poor air quality around me. My coworker loved to wear perfume and while it did smell nice, my nose would constantly drip after she had been around. On top of that, I found being around smoke really aggravated my nose.
Luckily, once the office implemented a no scent policy and my wife quit smoking the symptoms of post-nasal drip went away. I was really happy that I finally got rid of what was bothering me for so long. |
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letshearit
Post 12 |
Post-nasal drip is probably one of the nastiest things you can get when you have bad allergies. I always hate when spring rolls around and I spend the next few months sniffling and feeling nauseated.
A few things I find that make the post-nasal drip a bit more tolerable are using tissues that have a moisturizing element to them. These tissues are a bit more expensive but they help keep your nose from getting sore. I also drop all dairy products during allergy season and find it really lessons the severity of my post-nasal drip.
Another thing that works for me when I am tackling post-nasal drip is to drink a ton of herbal tea. It seems to keep my mucus from getting to thick.
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surfNturf
Post 11 |
JaneAir - I have post nasal drip because of allergies and I read that a great nasal drip remedy is to gargle with salt water.
I have tried it and it has helped me. This really works when you have a throat infection. It seems to soothe it a little.
It also helps me not clear my throat as much which tends to be annoying. |
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elizabeth23
Post 10 |
I knew a girl once who was obsessed with her neti pot. While it helped her, she used it daily, and what she really needed was a surgery. It seems to me that if you need things like that every day, it would be a good idea to go to a doctor and check for things like a deviated septum or even a tonsil issue. |
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widget2010
Post 9 |
I had a friend at college who said he had constant post nasal drip as part of another condition. I didn't quite understand, and wonder if he really also had an underlying allergy. I feel like I have known so many people who did not take allergies seriously enough; they are often fairly easy to treat, and there are so many cleaning-based ways you can take action to prevent them. |
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Esther11
Post 8 |
@lovealot - From your description, I think I have the same kind of problem as you. The phlegm that just sits in my throat drives me crazy. And the insides of my nostrils that get swollen and dry are miserable.
I use a couple of remedies that work fairly well. Those breathing strips, that you put on the top of your nose, widen the passages so you can breathe better, are pretty effective.
Then I use a netti- pot to clear out the nose and throat. A netti-pot is shaped like a little teapot. You fill it with warm water and a little saline solution. Then tip your head as you pour the solution into each nostril. It works quite well clearing out the nasal cavities and down to the throat. |
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lovealot
Post 7 |
I'm not sure what causes dryness in my nasal cavities and phlegm in my throat. It doesn't seem to be caused by allergies because I don't have symptoms like sneezing, headache, or runny nose. I have been told I have thin nasal cavities, so the mucus doesn't drain out well. Also, I seem to be a mouth breather; I think because I don't breathe very efficiently through my nose.
The worst part is that I always seem to have a lump of mucus in my throat, which is hard to get rid of. I have to do heavy-duty throat clearing, which I try to do when I'm by myself. |
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lighth0se33
Post 6 |
If you are like me and experience a near-constant post-nasal drip during the warm months of the year, you learn to look for the symptoms of a sinus infection. I usually get at least one a year.
When the pressure in my sinuses causes pain and I see a thick yellowish-green discharge when I blow my nose, I know that I am likely developing an infection. If I get fever, I am certain that I have one. Bad breath is also a symptom, because bacteria is present, and the constant dripping into my throat lets it incubate there. Antibiotics will knock it out. |
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OeKc05
Post 5 |
Every few minutes, my boss does his regular post-nasal drip throat clearing. The sound has become so familiar that it just fades into the background with other noises. I feel bad for him, because it must really irritate his throat to do that all the time.
Some days, his allergies are so bad that it affects his voice, and I can hear one sneeze after the other coming out of his office. Everyone who works there has reported more sneezing and allergy issues while in the building than when at home. The place hasn’t seen a thorough cleaning in decades. |
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wavy58
Post 4 |
I experience the most severe post-nasal drip from allergies in spring, though it continues to flare up now and then throughout the summer and early fall. In spring, when the pollen coats everything in sight in a yellow blanket, I plan for months of misery.
I know that my coworkers are probably annoyed with my constant nose blowing and sniffing. I can’t help it. If I didn’t do those things, the mucus would be running out of my nose onto my desk!
I have found that the situation improves with Zyrtec, though it doesn’t eliminate the symptoms entirely. It really has made them more bearable than they once were. |
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seag47
Post 3 |
My coworker convinced herself that black mold was growing in the ceiling of our office. She could not get the boss to check out the situation. She planned to leave work within the year anyway, because her husband had to move to a new city for his education.
She told us, the ones who were left behind, that we would likely one day become very ill from the black mold, and we might even die. She said that she had never had post-nasal drip before working there, but since she had started her job, she experienced it every day. She also said that the office was the only place she ever had to sneeze. |
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SZapper
Post 2 |
@JaneAir - That's terrible. I have allergies myself, so I feel your pain. My allergies are pretty well controlled with antihistamines though.
I actually had a good friend that had to quit her office job because of her allergies! Once she realized that she was only feeling experience the post nasal drip at the office she asked her office manager to arrange to have the office cleaned and the air ducts looked. The office manager refused! She said it would be too costly. So my friend got another job. |
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JaneAir
Post 1 |
I have allergies, both seasonal and otherwise, so I'm very familiar with the symptoms of post nasal drip. It's horrible!
One other thing, besides all the post nasal drip symptoms, is that I usually get an upset stomach too! Gross as this is, my doctor told me it's from all the phlegm dripping down your throat and being swallowed into the stomach. So unpleasant. |
