Save now on select BENADRYL® products

Skip to main content
Español
WHERE TO BUY

Why Does My Nose Run and How To Stop a Runny Nose (Rhinorrhea)

Person with short blonde hair using a tissue for a runny nose in a vibrant garden full of colorful flowers and green trees.

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a tissue more often than you’d like, wondering why your nose seems to be in a constant state of drip? Rhinorrhea, or a runny nose, is a common issue many people face.

Whether spurred by allergies, a cold, or certain foods, understanding its causes and treatments can significantly improve your comfort. This article explains what rhinorrhea is, explores its common causes, and offers practical strategies for relief and long-term prevention.

What Is Rhinorrhea (Runny Nose)?

Rhinorrhea — more commonly known as a runny nose — is a medical condition characterized by excessive production of mucus in the nasal passages.1 It can be annoying and uncomfortable, and can be caused by the common cold, flu, and allergies.

Rhinorrhea often begins with the body reacting to a virus, bacteria, allergen, or irritant, triggering more mucus production than usual. Mucus plays a crucial role in protecting the body from irritants, allergens, and pathogens by trapping and preventing them from entering the respiratory system.2

When the nasal passages become irritated or infected, the consistency of the mucus gets thinner and more watery. This change is the body's way of flushing out those irritants caught up in the mucus.2

Why Do I Have a Runny Nose?

What causes a runny nose? You'd be surprised by how many culprits are out there.

Viral Infection

One of the most frequent causes is a viral infection — like the common cold or flu. These infections trigger the body's immune response, leading to inflammation and increased mucus production, which manifests as a runny nose along with other cold symptoms.1

Allergies

Another common reason for a runny nose is an allergic reaction, where the first symptom is often the dreaded sneezing and runny nose combination. Things like pollen, pet dander, or dust mites can trigger an immune response that results in sinus inflammation, bringing symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose, watery eyes, and even an itchy throat.3

Because allergies can be year-round for many people, they may be the answer if you're always wondering, "Why does my nose keep running?" Allergies are typically managed with an antihistamine, which is an effective medicine for runny noses when allergic reactions are the cause.3

Structural Causes

In certain cases, the reason may be structural. Conditions like a deviated septum or the presence of nasal polyps can lead to a persistent runny nose. A deviated septum occurs when the cartilage dividing the nasal cavity is off-center, leading to obstruction and increased mucus production.8,9

Nasal polyps, on the other hand, are benign growths that can block the nasal passages and contribute to chronic runny nose.

Environmental Factors

Sometimes, it's simply a change in the weather that causes your nose to run. Environmental factors like cold temperatures or dry air can irritate nasal passages, trigger mucus changes, and bring on a runny nose.10

For more help identifying the cause of a runny nose, head over to our pages on understanding the differences between a cold and allergies and common allergy symptoms and causes.

How To Get Rid of a Runny Nose: Treatment

How to control running noses can be a challenge at times, but there are several effective strategies to help alleviate this common condition.1

Humidifier

Humidifiers add moisture to the air, soothing the nasal passages and reducing irritation, which may help offset a running nose.

Facial Steam and Sinus Irrigation

Facial steam, one of the most accessible home remedies for nose running, involves inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water. This method can help clear nasal congestion.

Sinus irrigation — using a neti pot or saline nasal spray — is a technique that involves rinsing the nasal passages with a saline solution to clear out mucus and irritants.

Medicine

Over-the-counter antihistamines can offer relief, especially for those suffering from allergy runny nose. BENADRYL® products, such as BENADRYL® Allergy ULTRATABS® Tablets and BENADRYL® Allergy Antihistamine Dye-Free LIQUI-GELS® are popular choices for alleviating symptoms associated with allergies like runny nose. For children, Children’s BENADRYL® Allergy Relief Liquid Medicine is an effective option.

Preventive Measures

Preventive measures are equally important in managing rhinorrhea. Maintaining good hygiene — such as washing hands frequently — can help prevent the spread of viruses that cause the common cold and flu. Additionally, it’s worth considering getting an annual flu vaccine.

Avoiding known allergens like pollen and pet dander can also minimize the risk of a runny nose.

Runny Nose (Rhinorrhea): FAQ

The duration of a runny nose can vary depending on the cause. Typically, a runny nose due to the common cold will last up to one week.4

If it's caused by allergies, it can last as long as you're exposed to the allergen. This could be a few days to several weeks, or even longer for year-round allergies from indoor irritants like mold.5 If your runny nose persists for more than two weeks without improvement or is accompanied by severe symptoms like fever or difficulty breathing, it's a good idea to consult a healthcare provider.

A runny nose while eating can be due to a condition called gustatory rhinitis. This reflex reaction in the nose commonly occurs when consuming spicy or hot foods.6

When you eat, your body increases blood flow to your nose and mouth, and certain nerves can stimulate the glands in your nose to produce more mucus. This is a normal response and usually nothing to worry about.

To manage it, try avoiding trigger foods or using a nasal spray or similar runny nose medicine before meals.11 If it's causing significant discomfort, consider making an appointment with your doctor.

While a runny nose itself is not contagious, the underlying causes, such as viral infections, can be. For instance, if you have a runny nose due to the common cold or flu, the viruses causing these infections can be transmitted to others.12

A runny nose can be a symptom of COVID-197, but it's important to note that it's also a common symptom of many other conditions, like the common cold, flu, or allergies. Having a runny nose alone does not necessarily mean you have COVID-19.

Other common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell. If you're experiencing a runny nose along with other COVID-19 symptoms, or if you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19, it's a good idea to get tested and follow your local health guidelines for isolation and monitoring. Always speak with a healthcare provider for advice tailored to your specific situation.

References

  1. Cleveland Clinic. Rhinorrhea (Runny Nose). Published 2023. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17660-runny-nose

  2. National Library of Medicine. Marvels of Mucus and Phlegm. Published 2020. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/08/marvels-mucus-phlegm

  3. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Pollen Allergy. Published 2024. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://www.aafa.org/pollen-allergy/

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). About Common Cold. Published 2024. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/

  5. Mayo Clinic. Mold allergy. Published 2021. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases- conditions/mold-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20351519

  6. National Library of Medicine. Gustatory rhinitis. Published 2010. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20502728/

  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.). Symptoms of COVID-19. Published 2024. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/signs-symptoms/index.html

  8. Cleveland Clinic. Nasal Polyps. Published 2024. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15250-nasal-polyps

  9. Stanford Medicine Health Care. Deviated Nasal Septum. Published 2024. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/ear-nose-and-throat/deviated-septum.html

  10. Cleveland Clinic. Chronic Rhinorrhea: 7 Surprising Causes of Constant Runny Nose. Published 2022. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/chronic-rhinorrhea-surprising-causes-constant-runny-nose

  11. Cleveland Clinic. Here’s Why Your Nose Runs When You Eat. Published 2022. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/runny-nose-when-eating

  12. Cleveland Clinic. Common Cold. Published 2023. Accessed February 5, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12342-common-cold

Links to other parties’ articles and websites are provided for convenience only. Kenvue is not responsible for their content.

Related Products

Related Articles

Girl wearing a gray hat and green sweater holds a tissue, visibly suffering from common cold symptoms in an outdoor setting.
Cold

About the Common Cold: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

READ MORE
Person holding a white mug of hot tea with a lemon slice, wrapped in a white scarf, looking cozy while appearing to have a cold.
Cold

Common Cold Self Care: How to Prevent or Treat Cold Symptoms

READ MORE