Catarrh

Catarrh will often passin a few days or weeks as the condition that causes it improves. See What causes catarrh? below for more information.

There are things you can try at home to relieve your symptoms, such as:

• avoiding things that trigger your symptoms, such as allergens or smokyplaces
• taking sips of cold water when you feel the need to clear your throat constantly clearing your throat may make things worse
• using a saline nasal rinse several times a day these can be bought from apharmacy or made at home with half a teaspoon of salt in a pint of boiledwater that's been left to cool
• avoiding warm, dry atmospheres, such asplaces with air conditioning and car heating systems placing plants or bowls of water in a roommay help to keep theair humid
• staying well hydrated
• talking to a pharmacist about suitable over-the-counter medications including decongestants , antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays

There are also several remedies, such as herbal medicines , available from health shops and pharmacies that claim to treat catarrh. Some people find these helpful, but there's generally little scientific evidence to suggest they work.