Antihistamines work by blocking a chemical called histamine that is released during an allergic reaction, causing symptoms like a runny nose and watery eyes.
Experts generally believe that histamine isn’t the cause of a runny nose if you’ve got a cold, however, some viruses may induce histamine production.
As long as it’s a suitable medicine for you, there’s no harm in trying an antihistamine to see if it relieves your runny nose.
However, the recommended treatments for colds are usually painkillers, like paracetamol, or specific cold and flu medicines.