Duration
The duration of the respective disease varies greatly from person to person. A cold that goes along with a cold is usually gone within a week. In some cases, however, depending on the state of the body’s immune system and the respective pathogen, a cold can last up to two weeks.
If the paranasal sinuses are also involved, the duration of the illness is usually longer, since the immune system can only fight the pathogens with difficulty. In contrast, the symptoms can last much longer in the presence of a chronic form of inflammation of the nose. A chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa can be assumed if the symptoms of the inflammation persist for more than 3 months.If an allergy is present, the symptoms persist as long as the person concerned is exposed to the respective allergen.
For this reason, one can also speak of seasonal rhinitis in these cases. Depending on the allergen, the symptoms can last from a few months, as in the case of an allergy to grass pollen, to all year round, as in the case of an allergy to house dust mites. An allergy test as well as a thorough medical history can provide clarity about the respective allergen.
The nasal furuncle can last for different lengths of time, depending on the progress of the inflammation. An individual therapy should be started immediately. If the prescribed antibiotic is effective against the pathogens, the inflammation should subside within a few days. If there is no improvement of the inflammation, the treating doctor must be consulted.
Prophylaxis
Depending on the disease, more or less effective prophylaxis can prevent the development of the symptoms. A cold usually occurs in the cold season and is transmitted by droplet infections. Therefore, especially in the “season”, thorough hand hygiene should be ensured and crowds of people in small rooms should be avoided.
In order to prevent the common cold, which occurs during a “real flu“, a vaccination can be given at the beginning of the cold season. It should be noted, however, that there is no possibility of vaccination against an infection with rhinoviruses, which is usually the trigger for the development of a cold. The prophylaxis in case of an existing allergy consists in avoiding the allergen.
As long as there is no contamination with the respective allergen, the symptoms of inflammation of the nose do not occur. It also helps to take a shower in the evening during the main time of the allergy, so that the allergens that have accumulated in the hair during the day are not distributed in bed. In order to prevent the development of nasal furuncle, it is necessary to mention first of all the removal of hairs from the nasal mucous membrane.
The pulling out of the hair in this area causes small wounds, which can serve as an entry portal for an infection with bacteria. Careful personal hygiene can also help to prevent infections that lead to a nasal furuncle.
