Sinus drainage in the back of the throat is called postnasal drip and is often caused by sinus infections and allergies. Excess mucus runs down the back of the throat and becomes trapped there, often resulting in a chronic cough, WebMD explains. Additionally, mucus can build up in the Eustachian tubes in the ear, which may result in an ear infection.
Modern antihistamines, such as Claritin, can treat postnasal drip more effectively than brands such as Benadryl, WebMD asserts. The older medications dry out mucus but thicken it in the process. Patients can try nasal irrigation with a neti pot to clean out the sinuses with saline water. Another option is to install a humidifier or vaporizer; more moisture in the air helps to clear blockages.
Washing sheets more often and dusting on a regular basis help keep allergic symptoms at bay. In addition to preventing the occurrence of allergies before their symptoms appear, these actions can also alleviate post-nasal drip caused by allergies, states WebMD.
