Runny nose what is it

A clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer is a great way to add moisture back into your environment, which will help with nasal congestion. When the air is too dry, your mucus may get thicker and not flow very well, and your sinuses may not drain properly. You can use a humidifier or cool mist vaporizer to add humidity into the air, which will keep your nasal passages moist, allowing mucus to drain faster. Using a gentle saline nasal spray like Sinex Saline Ultra Fine Nasal Mist can help clear congestion from a cold or allergies.

A saline nasal spray helps keep nasal passages open by washing out any allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander that can lead to nasal congestion. It can also loosen thick or dried mucus to make it easier to remove.

The saline solution also helps to soothe dry, irritated nasal passages. You can use a neti pot to rinse particles or mucus from your nose if you have nasal congestion symptoms. A neti pot is specially designed to help you flush out mucus.

To use it, bend your head sideways over the sink and place the spout of the neti pot in the upper nostril, and then pour a saltwater solution into your upper nostril and let the water drain down the lower nose.

The chemical in spicy foods, capsaicin, can help relieve a runny nose that is not caused by allergies. Capsaicin is the compound that gives chili peppers their heat. While eating spicy foods, your runny nose may get worse at first, but in the long run the heat will relieve your runny nose. Over-the-counter cold and flu medicines can help relieve your runny nose and nasal congestion symptoms from a cold or flu, along with other common symptoms. Be sure to identify what symptoms aside from runny nose and nasal congestion you may have to make sure you get the relief you need.

It also has a nasal decongestant to relieve your stuffy nose. These multi-symptom products can also relieve other cold and flu symptoms you may experience—like cough, fever, minor aches and pains, nasal congestion, sinus pressure, and sneezing.

If your symptoms become severe or last more than 10 days, please contact your healthcare provider. If you have a runny nose or nasal congestion, you may have the common cold, flu, or allergies. The first two are caused by viruses, which can easily spread to other people if you are not careful enough.

To prevent spreading the cold and flu viruses that give you runny or stuffy nose to those around you, follow these CDC tips 1 :. Common Colds. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published February 11, Accessed June 10, Sanu A, Eccles R. The effects of a hot drink on nasal airflow and symptoms of common cold and flu. View More Results Loading Call today! Chronic Rhinorrhea Runny Nose What is rhinorrhea or runny nose? There are many conditions that can cause the nose to run, including: Colds and flus : Mucus from illnesses can fill the nasal cavity and cause temporary nasal obstruction.

Crying : When you cry, tears drain through the tear ducts, into the nasal cavity, and then into the nose. Cold Weather: Cold weather can sometimes cause a reaction which produces mucus. Infections of the sinuses and or adenoids : The sinuses, or cavities of the face that drain into the nose, can fill with infected mucus resulting in sinusitis inflammation of the sinuses. The adenoids, tissue found in the back of the nose nasopharynx , in children can also get infected and result in a similar production of infected mucus.

Allergic rhinitis : Mucus can result from allergies, or a nasal reaction to allergens such as pollen or pet dander. Large adenoids : When the tissue in the back of the nose in children is enlarged. Nasal polyps : Grape-like growths in the lining of the nose.

Foreign body insertion : Often in younger children, the cause of obstruction may be the placement of an object in the nose, such as a peanut or a bead, causing obstruction, and foul smelling mucus drainage. Nasal cysts or tumors : Rarely, obstruction is from benign or malignant tumors, or cysts, more commonly seen when the symptoms affect only one side of the nose. When this is present on both sides bilateral , it is often found right after birth.

However, if it is only present on one side, it is often not discovered until later in life. Piriform aperature stenosis describes when the bony nasal opening is narrow, obstructing the nose. Deviated nasal septum : The right and left sides of the nose are separated by a wall made of bone and cartilage called the nasal septum.

At times, the septum can lean more to one side, causing obstruction on that side. Mucus is a protective substance produced by the mucous membrane, a type of tissue lining the nasal cavity. Mucus moistens the air you breathe, and it acts as a barrier to keep dust, pollen, and bacteria out of your lungs. Sometimes, irritation or inflammation in the nasal passage can lead to increased mucus production.

When this happens, excess mucus can drain or drip from the nose. Indoor and outdoor allergies can trigger an allergic response. Allergens include:. Allergens cause symptoms such as sneezing , a headache , or a sore throat. These inhaled particles can also irritate the nasal passage, resulting in excess mucus and a runny nose. To cope with allergies and reduce drainage from the nose, limit exposure to substances that trigger a reaction.

Many over-the-counter OTC antihistamines can block histamine and stop an allergic response. The common cold , or an upper respiratory infection, causes inflammation in the mucous membrane lining of the nose, resulting in too much mucus. In addition to a runny nose, the common cold can sometimes cause nasal congestion. Other symptoms include coughing, a sore throat, and fatigue. Getting plenty of rest, taking vitamin C, and drinking hot liquids may help you feel better sooner.

Many people have the misconception that antibiotics are necessary to treat common cold symptoms. Antibiotics should only be used to treat bacterial infections, such as a sinus infection.

Sinusitis sinus infection is a complication of the common cold. It occurs when the cavities around your nasal passage become inflamed. This inflammation also triggers an increase in mucus production in the nose. Treatment can involve pain medication, use of a nasal corticosteroid to stop inflammation, or an antibiotic to kill the bacterial infection. With this condition, the wall between your nasal passage becomes displaced or crooked on one side.

Some people are born with a deviated septum , but it can also result from an injury to the nose. A deviated septum can lead to repeated sinus infections and inflammation around the nasal passage, causing a runny nose. Your doctor may recommend an antihistamine or a nasal steroid spray to manage this symptom.

The flu virus also causes inflammation in the mucous membrane of the nose. The flu is highly contagious and other symptoms can include:. OTC cold or flu medications can help relieve symptoms and reduce pain. Ingredients in these medications typically include a decongestant, a fever reducer, and a pain reliever. Even though medication is available to help relieve excess mucus production, a few may trigger a runny nose in some people.

Read the label on medications for a list of common side effects. When a medication triggers a runny nose, this is due to nonallergic rhinitis. Nonallergic rhinitis vasomotor rhinitis is also characterized by inflammation in the nasal passage and mimics hay fever runny nose and sneezing.

In addition to medication-induced nonallergic rhinitis, other factors that can trigger this form of rhinitis include a change in temperature, bright sunlight, or an underlying health problem.