Dealing with a runny nose, also known as rhinorrhea can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. In this article we will discuss some of the common causes and treatments for treating your runny nose.

What causes rhinorrhea?

There are a number of causes that may explain why your nose is always runny. Some of the most common causes of rhinorrhea include:

• Allergies
• Environmental
• Food
• Infection
• Upper respiratory infection such as the flu or common cold
• Sinusitis, or sinus infections
• Vasomotor: increased sensitivity to a wide variety of triggers
  Air pollution
• Dramatic changes to humidity or temperature
• Certain foods
• Certain medications
• Strong odors such as tobacco and perfumes
• Side effects of certain medications, including medications for high blood pressure and mental health
• Overuse of nasal decongestant sprays
• Pregnancy
• Overactivity of the nerve controlling mucus production

Other symptoms associated with runny nose may include:

• Post nasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of the throat)
• Cough
• Bad smell
• Bad breath
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose
• Headache or pressure around the eyes

How do I treat my runny nose?

Treatment of a runny nose depends on the cause! Diagnosing the cause may involve tests such as a CT scan or an allergy test. Medications such as nasal sprays, antibiotics, oral steroids, and/or antihistamines may be used to treat your runny nose. Certain surgeries or in-office procedures such as balloon sinuplasty, may similarly be helpful in relieving your symptoms.