A runny nose is caused by excessive fluid produced by and draining from the tissue in the nose and nearby organs, including the vascular bed in the nasal mucosa and the sinuses that are situated paranasally. The type of fluid that runs out may range from clear to thick and mucoid, or yellow-green purulent secretion. The route of drainage may be through the nose or down the throat, the so-called postnasal drip, though both may be present.
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The presence of a runny nose or rhinorrhea usually refers, however, to a thin and clear copious nasal discharge. It may sometimes be associated with nasal congestion.
Causes of rhinorrhea
Many agents and conditions may cause runniness of the nose, including any substance that irritates or causes inflammation of nasal tissue. This includes:
Infective causes
Viruses such as the rhinovirus, influenza or respiratory syncytial virus can make the nose run.
A nasal discharge, usually greenish or yellow, may accompany acute or chronic sinusitis.
Allergic causes
A wide range of allergens may awaken hypersensitivity reactions and cause histamine release and rhinorrhea, including dander, pollen grains, dust, nicotine, formaldehyde and sulfur dioxide.
Irritant causes
Many substances such as capsaicin, the substance found in hot peppers, might irritate the nasal mucosa intensely by creating a rapid osmotic change, which induces plentiful rhinorrhea. Tobacco smoke is also a known irritant in some individuals, as are strong perfumes and odorous chemicals like new paint.
Nonallergic rhinitis
Also called vasomotor rhinitis, this condition produces chronic runniness without obvious cause. Changes in air pressure or temperature, or exposure to caustic chemicals, may cause irritant rhinorrhea. Other forms include senile rhinorrhea and nonallergic rhinopathy.
CSF rhinorrhea
One infrequent, but serious cause of a runny nose is the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through a breach in the dura mater, the tough membrane overlying and protecting the brain. It follows head trauma or surgery, but is sometimes spontaneous.
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous and less frequent causes of a runny nose include nasal polyposis, foreign bodies, tumors and migraines. Vascular conditions, such as Churg-Strauss syndrome, may also be associated with nasal discharge. Withdrawal from drug addiction may also sometimes precipitate nasal runniness.
Minor or serious?
It is sometimes important to know the cause of a runny nose especially in infants, in whom it may progress to a life-threatening infection. Some ways to distinguish a serious from a minor cause of rhinorrhea are:
- Runny nose lasting more than 10 days
- Runny nose with a high fever
- Nose runs with greenish or yellowish discharge with or without facial pain or headache, or fever, which may be due to bacterial sinusitis
- The nasal discharge contains blood
- The clear persistent nasal discharge tastes somewhat salty and appeared first after a head trauma
- The child with a runny nose has fever and is not yet 2 months old
- An infant has a runny nose, which makes breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or breathing, difficult
References
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/runny-nose/basics/causes/sym-20050640
- http://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/ear,-nose,-and-throat-disorders/approach-to-the-patient-with-nasal-and-pharyngeal-symptoms/nasal-congestion-and-rhinorrhea
- http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/rhinitis—non-allergic/Pages/introduction.aspx
Further Reading
- All Rhinorrhea Content
- What is Rhinorrhea?
Last Updated: Feb 27, 2019
Written by
Dr. Liji Thomas
Dr. Liji Thomas is an OB-GYN, who graduated from the Government Medical College, University of Calicut, Kerala, in 2001. Liji practiced as a full-time consultant in obstetrics/gynecology in a private hospital for a few years following her graduation. She has counseled hundreds of patients facing issues from pregnancy-related problems and infertility, and has been in charge of over 2,000 deliveries, striving always to achieve a normal delivery rather than operative.
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