Why Does My Nose Always Run

Constantly Irritated Stuffy And Runny Nose

A single runny nose is normally a minor inconvenience. After a few sniffles and a facial tissue or two, the runny nose will likely resolve. However, chronic rhinitis sufferers know that a constant runny nose is a troubling, frustrating, and irritating problem.

What chronic rhinitis sufferers may not know is that the condition is often an alarming signal that something more serious than a basic cold or minor runny nose is the true issue. There is likely a reason the inflammation in your nose refuses to go away.

Do you know what is causing your chronic rhinitis?

Regardless of the cause, chronic rhinitis is not a life sentence with the right help. The caring physicians at Noel ENT specialize in treating chronic rhinitis. We can help you determine the cause of your rhinitis, and more importantly, bring you long-lasting relief. Read below to learn more about chronic rhinitis, or start on your path to relief by scheduling your appointment with Noel ENT now.

Will Your Runny Nose Ever Come To An End What Chronic Rhinitis Is And How To Stop It

An occasional runny nose is common, but it should never be constant. When your nose continues to run for weeks, months, or even years, it becomes clear that the cause is not being addressed. When the cause of your rhinitis is not addressed, there is no end to your suffering in sight and you may begin to lose hope.

Rhinitis is when the inner lining of your nose is inflamed. Chronic rhinitis is a runny nose and related symptoms that continue for at least four straight weeks. If left untreated, your chronic rhinitis may continue for months or years.

A Nasal And Sinus Infection

Thick, yellow or greenish mucus draining from your nose normally indicates a nasal and sinus infection .

When you have a viral infection, your sinuses may become inflamed and swollen, which gets in the way of normal nasal drainage and causes a buildup of mucus, per the Mayo Clinic.

In addition to a runny nose, you might also experience nasal congestion, throbbing facial pain or a headache.

âFix it:â As long as a bacterial infection doesnât develop, most cases of acute sinusitis resolve on their own within a week to 10 days, per the Mayo Clinic.

To ease symptoms, you can use home remedies for a sinus infection, such as saline nasal sprays, decongestants and over-the-counter pain relievers.

If your symptoms stick around for more than 10 days, though, you should see your doctor, who might need to prescribe antibiotics.

Also Check: Why Is My Ear Buzzing

Runny Nose Can Have A Variety Of Causes

• Allergies: The older you get, there is a smaller chance that allergies are the cause.
• Food: An increased runny nose caused by eating food, particularly highly seasoned foods is called gustatory rhinitis. Cold air may also be a trigger.
• Medication: More than 400 brand name drugs list rhinitis as a side effect. Older patients are frequently being treated for a variety of medical conditions which can result in that incessant dripping from your nose.
• Sprays can cause symptoms with overuse which many of us tend to do while fighting a cold. Older people are at particular risk because they tend to have preexisting thinning and dryness of the nasal mucosa.
• Some blood pressure-lowering drugs: Clonidine, guanethidine, propranolol, prazosin, hydralazine, and diuretics may cause nasal obstruction.
• Estrogen: Your estrogen level may also increase nasal airway resistance and runny nose. Think menopause and pregnancy.
• Anti-inflammatories: Aspirin and medications like ibuprofen are well-known triggers of bronchospasm in patients with nasal polyps and asthma. They can also cause severe rhinitis in asthmatics with and without associated polyps.
• Psychiatric drugs and Viagra: Drugs likely to be used by older people have resulted in rhinitis.

Instead Of Blowing Your Nose:

• Hold a tissue or hankie under your nose to blot whats running out. This more gentle treatment may help you begin to dry up.
• Minimize nasal irritation. Avoid putting anything in your nose other than prescribed medication and saline.
• Humidification: Sit in a steam room or shower. Use a clean humidifier in the bedroom.
• Eat spicy foods to stimulate mucus production.
• Stay hydrated with non-caffeinated beverages being dehydrated can aggravate your symptoms.

Recommended Reading: Cat Ear Infection That Won’t Go Away

What Causes A Dripping Nose In The Elderly

Physiological changes that occur with aging can cause a runny nose and other symptoms of geriatric rhinitis, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Patients with the condition often complain of continual sinus drainage, a sense that the nasal passages are obstructed, and a constant need to clear the throat.

The nose changes as a result of the aging process, notes the American Academy of Otolaryngology. It becomes longer, and its tip starts to droop. This happens when the supporting cartilage of the nose weakens. Airflow becomes constricted in the area where the lower and upper lateral cartilage meet, which is called the nasal valve region. It is this narrowing that causes nasal obstruction, or geriatric rhinitis, in the aging population.

Although these symptoms are sometimes caused by aging, they can also be caused by allergic rhinitis, notes the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Chronic sinusitis can also cause this and other symptoms, including thick drainage, facial pressure and headaches, and around 14.1 percent of Americans over the age of 65 report that they suffer from the condition. A consultation with a qualified ear, nose and throat practitioner can help rule out allergic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis as causes of continual nasal drip prior to a diagnosis of geriatric rhinitis being delivered.

Preventing A Runny Nose

A runny nose cant always be prevented, but with the right precautions, you can decrease the chances of developing one. To prevent a runny nose, its important to prevent potential irritants that could inflame your nasal passages. For example, if you have a known allergy, try to avoid exposure to that allergen so your nose doesnt start to run. You can also take allergy medication preventatively before the exposure.

Preventing illnesses like the common cold is another way to prevent a runny nose. Doctors recommend practicing routine, thorough hand washingespecially before eating or touching your face. Its also helpful to avoid contact with anyone who might be sick.

You May Like: Glacier Ear Nose And Throat

Treating A Runny Nose From A Sinus Infection

A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, happens when fluid doesnt leave the sinus cavities, allowing viruses or bacteria to develop. Most often, sinus infections are viral in nature, but they can also be caused by bacteria.

Sinus infections can feel a lot like colds along with:

• Sinus pressure
• Fatigue
• Jaw or tooth pain

If a doctor suspects you have a sinus infection, he or she may take a sample of your mucus to determine if its viral or bacterial. You may get a prescription for antibiotics if your sinusitis is bacterial. Usually, people start to feel better within a few days of taking antibiotics.

For a sinus infection caused by a virus, the best course of action is plenty of rest and fluids, as with a cold. It may also be helpful to treat your runny nose with an OTC decongestant or steroid nasal spray.

Other Possible Causes Of Clear Runny Nose

While a runny nose is typically a harmless condition, there are a few times when a runny nose might be a sign of something more serious:

• Cerebrospinal fluid leak: CSF is a watery fluid that surrounds and protects your brain and spinal cord. If the membrane holding the CSF in place is damaged, like after a head injury, it can drain into the nostril and appear like a runny nose. CSF leaks usually affect only one nostril, while other causes of a runny nose affect both equally.
• Autoimmune diseases: Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system identifies the bodys own tissues as a threat, leading to inflammation. Some of these disorders involve the nose and the sinuses. One example is Churg-Strauss syndrome, which can lead to sinus inflammation. However, people with autoimmune diseases have multiple symptoms, not just a runny nose.

Also Check: Runny Nose One Side Only

So How Do I Get My Nose To Stop Running

The long-term solution lies in narrowing down the cause, says Dr. Corinna G. Levine, an otolaryngologist at the University of Miami Health System. Your primary care doctor is the place to start to find out if your runny nose is a result of some type of rhinitis. Then, a combination of medication should be tried. We recommend nasal saline rinses followed by appropriate topical/ spray medication for one full month because it takes a month for the medication to have a significant impact. Most patients give up too soon.

Repeatedly blowing our nose can actually do more harm than good. Hard blowing can cause mucus to be driven back into the sinuses. It can also irritate the tiny blood vessels in the nostrils causing inflammation and, you guessed it, more running.

Tips To Relieve Your Runny Nose Or Nasal Congestion

Got a case of the sniffles? Chances are that your nose is running faster than a waterfall. Or maybe your nose feels all stuffed up, forcing you to breathe out of your mouth. Or worse-both. A runny nose and nasal congestion are both uncomfortable upper respiratory symptoms with their own underlying causes. But once they start, you want relief, fast.

A runny nose is a discharge of mucus from the nostrils. Itâs the result of excess nasal mucus production. The excess nasal mucus leads to watery nasal secretions that flow out of your nostrils or drip down into your throat.

Nasal congestion is due to the inflammation of the linings of the nasal cavity. Swollen nasal passages constrict air flow, making it harder to breathe through your nose. The inflammation also makes it harder to get mucus out of your nose, so you may also have a build-up of thick, dry mucus, as well. It causes you to feel stuffed up, which is why itâs also referred to as a stuffy nose.

The common cold and the flu are often the culprits of a runny nose and/or nasal congestion,1 but they can both also be caused by allergies.

These are not the only symptom of the cold or flu. You may also experience other associated symptoms, like sneezing, coughing, chest congestion, a sore throat, headaches, and body aches.

Find out how to relieve your upper-respiratory symptoms like nasal congestion and runny nose so you can feel better fast.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Avoid liquids like caffeine that can cause dehydration.

Don’t Miss: Can You Take Ibuprofen For Sore Throat

Find Relief Here Escape From Chronic Rhinitis With Noel Ent

Noel ENT specializes in treating ear, nose, and throat conditions, including chronic rhinitis. We bring the highest quality personalized care to patients like you in Lafayette and Abbeville, Louisiana.

Are you ready to find relief from your suffering? Further explore your condition and available treatment options with the help of the physicians at Noel ENT.

Ear Nose And Throat Specialist

If you find its mostly clear stuff that youre blowing out, usually in the morning, its likely that the nose is starting to make mucus to make up for nighttime dryness. Also, blowing your nose causes trauma to the membranes, which can contribute to bleeding.

If its really dry, even just rubbing your nose can cause it to bleed. Then a scab may form, and if it falls off, or if you pick it off by accident, your nose will start to bleed again. Moisturize the inside of your nose with an ointment like Vaseline or a saline nasal air gel, such as AYR or Naso-Gel. Squirt a generous amount inside your nose before going to bed, because thats when it gets really dry and you might not realize it. Certain foods also cause runny noses. Spicy foods may trigger it if that happens, prescription nose sprays can minimize the response. While certain saline sprays offer relief, overuse in the wintertime can dry out the nose, causing the very problems youre trying to solve. If thats the case, cut back on the nasal spray and try using a humidifier.

Doris Lin, MD, Central Carolina ENT, Raleigh, North Carolina

You May Like: Blocked Nose At Night Only

Treatments For Chronic Congestion

With such a long list of possible causes, how do you get to the bottom of your runny-nose problems? Its tough to diagnose on your own, Dr. Reisman says. If symptoms last more than a month and over-the-counter remedies havent done the trick, its time to see a physician.

Primary care is a good place to start. If your general practitioner cant get to the bottom of it, an ENT or allergist should be your next stop.

Unfortunately, its not always easy to guess whether the problem might be due to an allergy or a structural issue, Dr. Reisman says. You might have to visit both specialists to land on the correct diagnosis.

Treatments vary depending on the cause.

• Antibiotics can beat a chronic sinus infection.
• Medications such as antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays can target symptoms of allergies and non-allergic rhinitis.
• Surgery can remove polyps or repair structural problems.

Sotake a deep breath : The cause of chronic sniffling isoften benign and usually treatable, Dr. Reisman says. Talk to your doctor aboutputting an end to your runny nose. Your tissue box might get a little lonely,but your coworkers will thank you.

Five Underlying Causes Of A Runny Nose You May Not Have Considered

Nearly everyone has experienced a runny nose at some point in their lives. Its a common symptom of temporary nuisances, like a cold or flu, and usually resolves on its own. Sometimes a runny nose is a warning sign that something more is amiss. Persistent runny nose or one that occurs when youre outdoors or come in contact with certain things is a calling card for allergies. Visiting a professional for an evaluation is the only way to get to the root of the problem.

At Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center, with two convenient locations in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida, Dr. Wade Han and our caring team are here to help you identify what is causing your constant sniffles. Whether you are coming down with a cold or have a more chronic condition, such as allergies, we can help get you on the road to recovery.

Read Also: Medicine For Sore Throat And Headache

Most Common Cause Of A Constantly Runny Nose

Allergies are an autoimmune condition, when your immune system attacks a harmless substance like pollen or dust. Allergies are the most common reason for a nonstop drippy nose. People with allergies often have other symptoms, such as sneezing, chronic cough, and itchy eyes or throat, says Dr. Sindwani.

You can develop new allergies at any age. Many people are surprised to learn that they have allergies in adulthood, including your older adult years, says Dr. Sindwani.

Why Does Air Only Come Out Of One Nostril

A few months ago, a TikTok video claimed that 85 percent of people can only breathe out of one nostril at a time. So, is this true?

Rachel Roditi, M.D., section chief for the Division of Otolaryngology at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, Mass., explained to Men’s Health in 2016 that nostrils actually take turns in switching off the duty of breathing air in and out.

She also explained that this process can happen between every 90 minutes to four hours.

This cycle also explains why people tend to feel more congested in one nostril more than the other. Dr. Roditi noted that our noses funnel resources to one side to increase efficiency, which causes more blood to flow to the dominant nostril. If you’re feeling sick, that blood flow will increase, which leads to more swelling and the production of mucus.

Therefore, though you are congested in both nostrils when feeling under the weather, it may feel greater in the nostril that is dominant because it is already swollen due to the typical nasal cycle.

Distractify

Recommended Reading: Chesapeake Ear Nose And Throat

When To Contact A Medical Professional

Contact your provider for any of the following:

• A stuffy nose with swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose, or cheek, or that occurs with blurred vision
• More throat pain, or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or other parts of the throat
• Discharge from the nose that has a bad smell, comes from only one side, or is a color other than white or yellow
• Cough that lasts longer than 10 days, or produces yellow-green or gray mucus
• Nasal discharge following a head injury
• Symptoms that last more than 3 weeks
• Nasal discharge with fever

Reasons Your Nose Is Always Running And What To Do About It

Drip, drip, drip. That’s the annoying sound of your leaky faucet, also known as your constant runny nose.

Video of the Day

It’s not only inconvenient, but a consistent flow of mucus may also indicate an irritation or inflammation of the nasal tissues.

Because a whole host of health-related issues can irritate or inflame your mucous membranes, we spoke with Cecelia Damask, DO, a board-certified otolaryngologist, to discuss the most common causes and help you get to the root of your runny nose.

Tip

Fun fact: Often the same conditions that cause a runny nose also create nasal congestion. That means you may have a leaky and stuffy nose at the same time.

Also Check: How To Stop Scratchy Throat