Various home remedies can help manage phlegm and mucus, such as drinking plenty of fluids and using a saline nasal spray or rinse. If home remedies do not help, over-the-counter and prescription medications are available.
Mucus forms a protective lining in certain body parts, even when an individual is healthy. Mucus keeps these areas from drying out and helps defend against invaders, including viruses and bacteria at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Infections, allergies, and smoking can cause excess mucus to build up in the body.
Keep reading to learn more about home remedies and medications that can help at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Getting rid of phlegm and mucus at home
Consider the following steps to help eliminate excess mucus and phlegm:
1. Keep the air moist
Because dry air irritates the throat and nose, more mucus forms as a lubricant. By keeping the nose free and avoiding a sore throat, a cool mist humidifier in the bedroom can help improve sleep at 19 home cures for phlegm and mucus.
2. Drink plenty of fluids
The body needs to stay hydrated to keep mucus thin. When a person is sick with a cold, drinking extra fluids can thin mucus and help drain the sinuses.
People with seasonal allergies may also find that staying hydrated helps reduce congestion at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
3. Apply a warm, wet washcloth to the face
A warm, wet washcloth can be a soothing remedy for a pounding sinus headache. Inhaling through a damp cloth is a quick way to return moisture to the nose and throat. The heat will help to relieve pain and pressure at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
4. Keep the head elevated
When the buildup of mucus is particularly bothersome, it may help to sleep propped up on a few pillows or in a reclining chair. Lying flat can increase discomfort because it may feel like mucus is collecting at the back of the throat at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
A person may also benefit from hypoallergenic pillows when elevated.
5. Do not suppress a cough
It may be tempting to use suppressants when experiencing a nagging, phlegm-filled cough. However, coughing is the body’s way of keeping secretions out of the lungs and throat. Use cough syrups sparingly, if at all at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
6. Discreetly get rid of phlegm
When phlegm rises from the lungs into the throat, the body is likely trying to remove it. Spitting it out is healthier than swallowing it.
7. Use a saline nasal spray or rinse
A saline spray or irrigator can clear mucus and allergens from the nose and sinuses. Look for sterile sprays containing only sodium chloride, and use sterile or distilled water when rinsing at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
8. Gargle with salt water
Saltwater can soothe an irritated throat and may help clear residual mucus. A person can add one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle several times per day at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
9. Use eucalyptus
Experts have used eucalyptus products for years to subdueTrusted Source coughs and reduce mucus. People usually apply them directly to the chest. A person can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a diffuser or a warm bath to help clear the nose at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
10. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
Smoking and secondhand smoke causeTrusted Source the body to produce more phlegm and mucus.
11. Minimize the use of decongestants
While they dry secretions and can alleviate a runny nose, decongestants may make it harder to get rid of phlegm and mucus at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
12. Keep allergies in check
Seasonal allergies can lead to a runny or stuffy nose, as well as excess mucus and phlegm.
13. Avoid irritants
Chemicals, fragrances, and pollution can irritate the nose, throat, and lower airways, which causes the body to produce more mucus at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
14. Keep track of food reactions
Some foods can cause reactions that mimic seasonal allergies. They may cause the nose to run and the throat to itch, leading to excess mucus. Make a record of foods that trigger an increase in phlegm or mucus.
15. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Both substances lead to dehydration if a person consumes them in excess. When mucus and phlegm are an issue, drink plenty of warm, noncaffeinated beverages at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
16. Take a hot bath or shower
Time spent in a steam-filled bathroom will help to loosen and clear mucus in the nose and throat. Allowing hot water to pulse on the face can also bring relief from sinus pressure.
17. Blow the nose gently
It may be tempting to keep blowing until thick mucus comes out. However, doing so too forcefully may hurt the sinuses, leading to pain, pressure, and possibly infection at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
18. Eat plenty of fruit
A diet rich in fruit and possibly soy fiber may lead to fewer respiratory problems that have a link to phlegm.
19. Avoid foods that cause acid reflux
Acid reflux can lead to an increase in phlegm and mucus. People prone to heartburn should avoid trigger foods and ask a doctor about proper management at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Medications
There are many different medications available that can treat excess mucus buildup. One of the most popular of these is known as an expectorant.
Expectorants
Expectorants thin mucus and allow more effective coughing to clear airways. Guaifenesin is a common expectorant that is particularly effective at relieving congestion in the chest at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
People first began using natural forms of guaifenesin in the 1500sTrusted Source. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved guaifenesin in 1952. Guaifenesin is the only expectorant available for over-the-counter (OTC) purchases in the United States.
Guaifenesin is available in multiple forms:
- fast-acting tablets
- extended-release tablets
- liquid medications
Individuals taking medications with guaifenesin should stay hydrated and follow all doctor recommendations at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Other medications that treat mucus
The medication dornase alfa also works as an effective mucolytic. Individuals seeking mucus release can inhale this medication. This drug and other mucolytics can help to temporarily reduce mucus buildup throughout the airways at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Anyone seeking more information about medications treating mucus should consult a doctor. A medical professional can recommend the best medication for each case.
Treatments for mild cases
People with severe mucus buildup may need to visit a doctor for a prescription. However, for more mild cases, there are several OTC options at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Mucinex offers a number of products that help fight mucus. Its 12-hour expectorant features extended-release guaifenesin tablets for long-acting mucus relief.
Likewise, Robitussin offers an extra-strength syrup to treat phlegm and mucus. This syrup provides 6 hours of relief from mucus, congestion, and throat irritation at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
In addition to guaifenesin, these tablets contain acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride for fever reduction and decongestion.
All of the medications above are available to purchase at local pharmacies.
When to see a doctor
Many believe that colored mucus coming from the nose indicates a bacterial infection. However, it may show that the immune system is fighting a virus or that a person is merely dehydrated at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
A runny nose or feeling of stuffiness may also indicate allergies or a sinus infection. Individuals experiencing ongoing allergies or infections should visit a doctor. Severe allergies can require professional attention, and sinus infections may call for antibiotic treatment at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Individuals should also seek medical attention if they experience:
- a cough lasting more than 10 days
- nasal discharge that smells unpleasant
- blurred vision with a stuffy nose
- yellow or white spots on the back of the throat
Outlook
There are many different reasons for phlegm and mucus in the body. However, in most cases, it is possible to find long-term relief at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Seasonal allergies may increase mucus production. OTC medications such as corticosteroids or antihistamines can keep allergy symptoms in check.
People with more severe allergies can also benefit from regular allergy shots. With the right medical supervision and treatment, most individuals will experience relief from allergy-related mucus.
The common cold may also leadTrusted Source to excess phlegm or mucus. On average, adults experience up to three colds each year. In the majority of cases, people recover from a cold within about a week at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Finally, regularly smoking tobacco can increaseTrusted Source mucus and phlegm in the airways. However, a person may have restored mucus function in the lungs within about 1–12 months of quitting tobacco. Over time, mucus production can return to expected levels for people who quit smoking.
Excess phlegm and mucus may irritate in the short term, but OTC medications and lifestyle changes can ensure a positive outlook for most individuals at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Although excess mucus is generally not a serious problem, it may indicate a more serious condition in rare cases.
Summary
In most cases, phlegm and mucus are signs of a mild condition that home care should resolve. Home remedies or OTC medications can help relieve symptoms at 19 home remedies for phlegm and mucus.
Phlegm and mucus may cause mild discomfort or annoyance in the short term, but they generally do not cause serious concern with suitable care.
Individuals who experience phlegm, mucus, and other associated symptoms should consult a doctor. Allergy treatments or antibiotics may be necessary to address underlying conditions.