What is catarrh? Causes and treatment tips

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Catarrh is the medical term for a buildup of mucus in the back of the nose, throat, or sinuses. Doctors sometimes refer to catarrh as postnasal drip.

Often, catarrh is the result of an intermittent or temporary illness, such as an allergy or cold. It typically goes away once the illness has passed.

However, some people may experience chronic catarrh that persists for months or even years. It is not usually a cause for concern, but it can be a nuisance to live with.

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Catarrh symptoms

For most people the symptoms of catarrh include the following:

A blocked or ‘stuffy’ nose
A runny nose
Mucus that runs down the back of your throat
An irritating cough
Headache
Loss of smell or taste
Pain in the face
Fatigue
Mild hearing loss or a crackling sensation in the middle ear

Causes

There are many potential causes of postnasal drip. They include:

changes in weather conditions
eating spicy foods
hay fever, or allergic rhinitis
nonallergic rhinitis
viruses, such as the common cold
sinus infection
nasal polyps
gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
hormone changes during pregnancy
certain medications

In children, having something stuck in the nose is a common cause of catarrh.

Catarrh Treatment

Most catarrh cases require no specific treatment. But if it does not clear up on its own, treatment then depends on the underlying cause. Try the following:

Decongestant medicines

These can help relieve a blocked nose by reducing swelling of the blood vessels in your nose. These are available from pharmacies without a prescription but should not be used for more than a few days before seeking advice as they can occasionally make the congestion worse if used for too long.

Decongestants do not usually cause side-effects and, if they do, they are likely to be mild, but may include irritation to the lining of the nose, nausea and headaches.

Steam inhalation

Steam inhalation treatment may also help. This involves inhaling steam from a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water and can help to soften and loosen any mucus in the nasal cavities.

Some people find that adding menthol crystals or eucalyptus oil to the water also helps. Steam inhalation is not recommended as a suitable treatment for children due to the risk of scalding.

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