What Is Rhinorrhea? Causes, Symptoms & How to Relieve a Runny Nose
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Rhinorrhea, meaning a runny nose, describes the condition where mucus drips or flows from the nose. It’s a common issue with a variety of causes, ranging from allergies to environmental factors and viral infections. A constant dripping nose is no fun—In this guide, we’ll explore the causes of a runny nose, runny nose symptoms, and how to relieve a runny nose with practical solutions and treatments.
What Causes a Runny Nose?
A runny nose can stem from several factors. The primary causes include allergies, viral infections, and environmental changes, which we will discuss in more detail below.
However, there are additional triggers worth noting:
Shedding tears (lacrimation): Excess tears can drain into the nasal cavity, stimulating mucus production.
Sinus infections (sinusitis): Blocked sinuses due to infections or allergies can lead to thick nasal discharge.
Nasal polyps: These benign growths in the nasal passages may cause persistent mucus flow.
Foreign objects: Particularly in children, items stuck in the nose can result in foul-smelling mucus.
Nonallergic rhinitis: Irritants like smoke or strong odors can cause prolonged nasal symptoms.
Gustatory rhinitis: Spicy foods can trigger nasal discharge through nerve stimulation.
Pregnancy rhinitis: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to prolonged nasal congestion.1
Allergies
A runny nose is a frequent symptom of allergies, which occur when the body’s immune system reacts to otherwise harmless substances. Common triggers include:
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Pollen: Often associated with seasonal allergies, tiny pollen particles from trees, grasses, and weeds can enter the nasal passages. The immune system then identifies these particles as a threat, which can trigger symptoms like a runny nose.2
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Dust mites: These microscopic organisms are common in household environments, particularly in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets. For those with a dust mite allergy, exposure can lead to persistent symptoms such as runny nose and sneezing.3
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Pets: Allergic reactions to animals (commonly cats or dogs) are often caused by proteins found in their dander (dead skin flakes), saliva, or urine. When these particles become airborne and are inhaled, they can provoke an allergic response, including a runny nose.4
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Mold: Mold spores can be found in damp indoor or outdoor environments. Inhaling these spores can trigger allergy symptoms for sensitive individuals, which commonly includes a runny nose.5
Viral Infections
Colds and the flu are common viral infections that can lead to nasal discharge, often making a runny nose one of the first signs of illness. These respiratory infections tend to be more widespread during the colder months, a time when people are indoors more often, and they spread easily from person to person through respiratory droplets released when someone coughs or sneezes.6
Environmental Changes
Environmental factors can also play a significant role in triggering a runny nose. The nasal passages are sensitive to changes in the atmosphere, and certain conditions can lead to increased mucus production, including:
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Cold Air: Breathing in cold, dry air can irritate the sensitive tissues lining your nasal passages. In response, the body may produce excess mucus to moisten and warm the air before it reaches the lungs, leading to a runny nose.1
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Wind: Windy days can stir up and carry allergens, such as pollen and dust, increasing your exposure. This can be a particular issue for those with seasonal allergies, as the wind effectively delivers irritants directly to the nasal passages.1
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Pollution: Exposure to airborne pollutants from traffic or industrial sources can irritate the nasal lining. This irritation can cause inflammation, which in turn prompts the body to produce more mucus as a protective barrier.7
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Dry Air: Environments with low humidity, whether from indoor heating in the winter or arid climates, can dry out your nasal passages. To compensate for this dryness and protect the delicate tissues, the glands in your nose may overproduce mucus.1
Runny Nose Symptoms
The symptoms associated with a runny nose can vary depending on the underlying cause. They include:
- Nasal discharge and runny nose
- Nasal irritation and runny nose
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Watery eyes and runny nose
- A sore throat and runny nose
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Sneezing and runny nose
Nasal Discharge
Nasal discharge can cause blockages in the nose, which can temporarily affect breathing. The consistency and color of your mucus can change depending on what's causing your runny nose. For instance, a clear, watery discharge is often associated with allergies or exposure to cold air. On the other hand, thicker mucus might suggest that your body is fighting off an infection.1
Nasal Irritation
A runny nose is often accompanied by rhinitis, which is the medical term for inflammation of the nasal tissues. This inflammation is what leads to the noticeable irritation in and around your nostrils. This irritation can manifest in several ways, often appearing as redness, uncomfortable dryness, or a persistent, nagging itchy feeling that is difficult to ignore.1
Other Common Symptoms
In addition to a runny nose, it is common to experience other related symptoms. These can include:
Watery eyes: Excess fluid can cause the eyes to become teary or watery.
Sore throat: Discomfort or scratchiness in the throat may develop.
Sneezing: The body's reflex to clear nasal passages often accompanies a runny nose.
Postnasal drip: This occurs when excess mucus runs down the back of the throat, creating a sensation of needing to clear it.1
How to relieve a Runny Nose?
While rhinorrhea often resolves on its own, there are steps you can take to find relief, ranging from over-the-counter allergy medicines for runny nose to natural remedies.
Antihistamine for Runny Nose
Antihistamines may be particularly effective for managing a runny nose caused by allergies. These medications are designed to block the effects of histamine, a chemical the body releases during an allergic reaction. By interrupting this process, antihistamines can help reduce common allergy symptoms, including a runny nose and sneezing.8
Xyzal® Allergy 24HR relieves the symptoms of allergies, including a runny nose. Taken once daily in the evening, it starts working in as little as 45 minutes to provide relief all through the night and the next day.
Keep reading for more information about how to treat children with a runny nose caused by allergies.
Natural Remedies
In addition to medication, certain natural and at-home remedies may help alleviate symptoms associated with a runny nose:
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Rest and Hydration: Allowing your body to rest can support its natural recovery processes, while staying well-hydrated helps thin mucus, making it easier to clear.
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Warm Compress: Gently applying a warm, damp cloth to the face, particularly over the sinuses, could help soothe pressure and discomfort.
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Steam and Humidity: Inhaling steam from a shower or a bowl of hot water may help provide relief. Similarly, using a humidifier to add moisture to the air can prevent nasal passages from becoming too dry.
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Saline Nasal Sprays: These over-the-counter sprays can help rinse and clear mucus from the nasal passages, providing temporary relief from stuffiness.1
How Long Does a Runny Nose Last?
The duration of a runny nose typically depends on its underlying cause. If the runny nose is caused by a viral infection, such as the common cold, symptoms may last for about 10 to 14 days before resolving. On the other hand, if the runny nose is related to allergies, it can persist for as long as the person is exposed to the allergen causing the reaction.
When to see a doctor
If a runny nose continues for more than three weeks, and isn’t due to a known allergy, or if it appears alongside other concerning symptoms, it is a good idea to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.1
Runny noses in children
Children are particularly prone to runny noses, often because of the common cold. Young children can have five to eight colds a year on average. Since there are hundreds of different cold viruses, children have not yet built up immunity to them. As they get older, they gradually build immunity and experience fewer colds. Most colds in younger children tend to get better on their own within two weeks.9
Medicine for runny noses in children
Runny nose medicines for children are different than those designed for adults and treatment options require careful consideration. It’s always best to consult a healthcare provider before giving any medication to a child. Some common approaches may include:
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Saline Nose Drops: These can help loosen dried mucus and ease a stuffy nose. You can ask a doctor, pharmacist, or health visitor for guidance on how to use them.
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Over-the-Counter (OTC) Remedies: Children under six should not be given cough and cold medicines, including decongestants, unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it.
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Allergy Medication: For symptoms related to allergies, products like Children’s Xyzal® may help provide relief for children as young as age 2.
FAQs about runny nose
Elevate Your Head: Using extra pillows can promote sinus drainage.
Avoid Triggers: Minimize exposure to allergens like dust mites or pet dander in the bedroom before bed.
Clear Nasal Passages: A saline rinse, neti pot, or adhesive nasal strips may help open airways.
Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air can help soothe irritated nasal tissues.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough fluids helps keep mucus thin and easier to clear.
Consider Medication: Over-the-counter options could offer relief, but it is always a good practice to consult a healthcare professional for guidance.11
When a runny nose is the result of a viral infection, like the common cold, it is considered contagious. The virus can be transmitted from one person to another through close physical contact or by touching surfaces that have been contaminated with respiratory droplets.6
Preventing a runny nose often depends on its cause. General preventive measures can include frequent handwashing with soap and water, which helps remove viruses and other germs. For those with allergy-induced rhinorrhea, avoiding known allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander is a key strategy. Additionally, maintaining a healthy immune system through a balanced diet and regular exercise may help the body fend off infections that can lead to a runny nose.1
Sleeping with a runny nose can be challenging, but certain strategies may help improve comfort and make it easier to breathe. For many people, symptoms can feel worse at night, yet a few adjustments might make a noticeable difference:
Xyzal® Allergy 24HR is designed to be taken at night to provide all night all day allergy relief.
Yes, using a humidifier may help with a runny nose, particularly if the congestion is caused by dry air. Adding moisture to the air can soothe irritated nasal passages and thin mucus, which might ease discomfort.1
While most cases of rhinorrhea resolve on their own with time, persistent or chronic cases may indicate underlying health issues that need attention. For instance, a runny nose that doesn't go away could be a sign of a chronic sinus infection or a structural problem within the nasal passages. If a runny nose continues for an extended period, it is a good idea to consult a healthcare provider to explore potential causes.1
Sources:
- Cleveland Clinic. Rhinorrhea (runny nose): causes, treatment & prevention [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2023 Jul 28 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17660-runny-nose#overview
- Cleveland Clinic. Pollen allergy: causes, symptoms & treatment [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2023 Nov 20 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/pollen-allergy
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Dust mite allergy: symptoms and causes [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Clinic; 2025 Sep 12 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dust-mites/symptoms-causes/syc-20352173
- Mayo Clinic Staff. Pet allergy: symptoms and causes [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Clinic; 2025 Sep 5 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pet-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352192
- Cleveland Clinic. Mold allergy: causes, symptoms & treatment [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2024 Apr 16 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22309-mold-allergy
- Cleveland Clinic. Viral infection: causes, symptoms, tests & treatment [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2022 Nov 23 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24473-viral-infection#management-and-treatment
- Trevino RJ. Air pollution and its effect on the upper respiratory tract and on allergic rhinosinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg [Internet]. 1996 Feb;114(2):239-241 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8637741
- Cleveland Clinic. Antihistamines: types, uses and side effects [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2024 Jul 26 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/antihistamines
- National Health Service (NHS). Colds, coughs and ear infections in children [Internet]. London: NHS; 2024 Mar 22 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/health/colds-coughs-and-ear-infections-in-children
- Medical News Today. Can teething cause a runny nose? [Internet]. Brighton (UK): Healthline Media UK Ltd; 2018 Aug 6 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322686#can-teething-cause-a-runny-nose
- Sleep Foundation. Treatment for a blocked nose at night [Internet]. Raleigh (NC): Sleep Foundation; 2025 Jul 15 [cited 2026 May 27]. Available from: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/treatment-for-blocked-nose-at-night
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