Postnasal Drip

Postnasal drip is the feeling of mucus going down the back of your throat. Mucus is a slimy substance that moistens and cleans your nose and throat, as well as the air pockets in face bones near your forehead and cheeks (sinuses).

Small amounts of mucus pass from your nose and sinuses down the back of your throat all the time. This is normal. When you produce too much mucus or the mucus gets too thick, you can feel it.

Some common causes of postnasal drip include:

• Having more mucus because of:
  • A cold or the flu.
  • Allergies.
  • Cold air.
  • Certain medicines.
• Having more mucus that is thicker because of:
  • A sinus or nasal infection.
  • Dry air.
  • A food allergy.

Follow these instructions at home:

Relieving discomfort

• Gargle with a salt-water mixture 3–4 times a day or as needed. To make a salt-water mixture, completely dissolve ½–1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
• If the air in your home is dry, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
• Use a saline spray or container (neti pot) to flush out the nose (nasal irrigation). These methods can help clear away mucus and keep the nasal passages moist.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions. You may need to avoid caffeine.
• Avoid things that you know you are allergic to (allergens), like dust, mold, pollen, pets, or certain foods.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You have a sore throat.
• You have difficulty swallowing.
• You have headache.
• You have sinus pain.
• You have a cough that does not go away.
• The mucus from your nose becomes thick and is green or yellow in color.
• You have cold or flu symptoms that last more than 10 days.

Summary

• Postnasal drip is the feeling of mucus going down the back of your throat.
• If your health care provider approves, use nasal irrigation or a nasal spray 2‒4 times a day.
• Avoid things that you know you are allergic to (allergens), like dust, mold, pollen, pets, or certain foods.