Here are 15 common causes of a runny nose.
A runny nose is a symptom of many diseases. It is characterized by mucus draining or dripping from the nostrils.
Mucus is a protective substance produced by the mucous membrane, a tissue lined with the nasal cavity. Mucus moisturizes the air you breathe and acts as a barrier to prevent dust, pollen, and bacteria from entering your lungs.
Your nose produces mucus every day, but you may not notice it because it mixes with saliva and drips from the back of your throat.
Sometimes, irritation or inflammation in the nasal passages can lead to increased mucus production. When this happens, excess mucus is excreted or dripped from the nose.
Here are 15 common causes of a runny nose.
1. Allergies
Both indoor and outdoor allergies can trigger allergic reactions. Allergens include:
- ust
- Pollen
- Ragweed
- Pet dander
Allergens can cause symptoms such as sneezing, headaches, or sore throats. These inhaled particles can also irritate the nasal cavity, resulting in excess mucus and a runny nose.
To cope with allergies and reduce nasal discharge, limit exposure to reactive substances. Many over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines block histamine and prevent allergic reactions.
If these medications do not work, consult your doctor for a prescription for antihistamines.
2. Common cold
The common cold or an infection of the upper respiratory tract, leads to inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose lining, resulting in excessive mucus. In addition to a runny nose, the common cold can sometimes cause nasal congestion.
Other symptoms include cough, sore throat, and fatigue. There is no cure for the common cold, but over-the-counter cold medicine can help relieve symptoms. Adequate rest, taking vitamin C, and drinking hot fluids may help you feel better faster.
Many people mistakenly believe that antibiotics are necessary to treat the symptoms of the common cold. This is not the case. Antibiotics should only be used to treat bacterial infections, such as sinus infections. They are not effective in treating viral infections.
3. Sinusitis
Sinusitis (sinus infection) is a complication of the common cold. This happens when the cavity around your nasal passages becomes inflamed. This inflammation also triggers an increase in mucus production in the nose.
Other symptoms of sinusitis include headache, nasal congestion, and facial pain.
Treatment may include painkillers, the use of nasal corticosteroids to stop inflammation, or antibiotics to kill bacterial infections.
4. Skewed diaphragm
In this case, the wall between your nasal passages will shift or bend on one side. Some people are born with a deviated nasal septum, but it can also be caused by a nose injury.
Deviated nasal septum can lead to recurrent sinus infections and inflammation around the nasal passages, leading to runny noses.
Your doctor may recommend antihistamines or nasal steroid sprays to control this symptom. If this does not work, surgery can correct the skewed diaphragm.
5. Influenza
The influenza virus also causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose. Influenza is highly contagious and other symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Headache
- Congestion
- Tired
Over-the-counter cold or flu medications can help relieve symptoms and reduce pain. The ingredients in these drugs usually include decongestants, antipyretics, and pain relievers.
Flu symptoms may improve within one to two weeks.
6. Medications
Although medications can be used to help relieve excessive mucus production, some medications may cause some people to have runny noses.
Possible culprits include:
- NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- Sedative
- Antidepressants
- Hypertension medications
Read drug labels for a list of common side effects. When the drug causes a runny nose, this is due to non-allergic rhinitis.
7. Non-allergic rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis) is also characterized by inflammation of the nasal passages and is similar to hay fever (runny nose and sneezing). However, these symptoms are caused by unknown causes and are not triggered by histamine or allergens.
In addition to drug-induced non-allergic rhinitis, other factors that can trigger this rhinitis include temperature changes, bright sunlight, or potential health problems.
Oral antihistamines are not effective for non-allergic rhinitis, but you can relieve symptoms with nasal antihistamines or saline nasal sprays.
8. Hormonal changes
Hormonal imbalances can also cause inflammation and enlargement of blood vessels in the nasal cavity, leading to non-allergic rhinitis. This may occur during puberty if you take birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.
Nasal sprays with antihistamines or saline may relieve symptoms.
9. Dry air
Dry air can dry not only the skin but also the nasal passages. This disrupts the fluid balance inside the nose, causing an inflammatory response and triggering a runny nose.
This can happen in cold weather or when the air in your home is dry due to heat. To help manage the dry air in your home, use a humidifier to add moisture back to the air. When going out in winter, you should also wear a scarf to cover your mouth and nose.
10. Nasal polyps
These benign growths on the lining of the nose are caused by inflammation of the mucous membranes. When the mucous membranes become inflamed, excessive mucus production can lead to a runny nose and retronasal drip.
Other symptoms of nasal polyps include:
- Loss of sense of smell
- Sinus pressure
- Snoring
- Headache
Your doctor can prescribe nasal corticosteroid sprays to shrink polyps. They may also prescribe antibiotics to treat concomitant sinus infections.
Depending on the severity of the polyps, sinus surgery can remove the polyps.
11. Nasal spray overuse
Although nasal sprays can reduce inflammation in the nose, overuse can have a rebound effect and worsen nasal symptoms.
In general, you should not use OTC nasal sprays continuously for more than five days. Long-term use of nasal sprays can lead to chronic sinus infections, which can trigger a runny nose. Once the nasal spray is stopped, nasal symptoms may improve within a few days or weeks.
12. Respiratory syncytial virus
This is a virus that causes cold-like symptoms and infections in the lungs and respiratory tract. It can happen to both children and adults. Respiratory infections can cause inflammation of the nasal passages and a runny nose.
Other common symptoms include:
- Congestion
- Dry cough
- Low fever
- Sore throat
- Headache
Treatment includes:
- Lots of liquids
- Antipyretic drugs
- Nasal drops of saline
- Antibiotics, if there is a bacterial infection
Severe infections may require hospitalization.
13. Spicy food
Because of non-allergic rhinitis called taste rhinitis, spicy foods can also cause a runny nose. This is not caused by histamine or allergens, but rather overstimulation of the sinus nerves when you eat or inhale something spicy.
The mucous membrane mistakes the fragrance for an irritant and goes into protective mode, triggering your nasal passages to produce extra mucus to remove the irritant. This was a temporary reaction, and it didn't take long to get a runny nose after eating.
Foods that eat fewer spices can help stop this reaction.
14. Smoke
Smoke is an irritant that also triggers your mucous membranes to produce extra mucus. If you have smokers or smoky rooms around you, you may have a runny nose.
In most cases, keeping yourself away from the smoke-filled area reverses this reaction.
15. Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also lead to excess mucus and trigger a runny nose. It is estimated that non-allergic rhinitis affects about 20% of pregnant women. In fact, this is a common problem for women during pregnancy.
A runny nose may occur at any time during pregnancy, but symptoms usually disappear after childbirth. Raising the head of the bed by about 30 degrees and performing light to moderate exercises may help improve nasal symptoms.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about antihistamines that can be safely used during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Common runny nose culprits include colds and allergies, but may also be accompanied by other potential problems.
A runny nose is usually removed on its own through self-care. However, if a yellow or green snot appears, or is accompanied by pain, see a doctor.
If you need help finding a primary care physician or specialist, you can browse the doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.