Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Jan 23, 2024
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Runny nose does not stop
Sudden changes in weather or temperature can trigger stuffy nose
Nasal symptoms are the worst symptom that I have trouble with
My nose gets runny when I go to a certain place
I don't have any symptoms but a runny nose
Runny nose when the surroundings are dry
Watery nasal discharge with blood
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About the Symptom
Runny nose or nasal drainage (rhinorrhea) refers to fluid that comes out from the nose. It may be any consistency between very thin and very thick and can be many different colors from clear to yellow to even green. It may accompany infections or can be associated with nasal allergies or even with eating. It can be serous (including if it represents leakage of cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) and may need evaluation by a trained professional like an ear, nose, and throat doctor or an allergist.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
Difficulty breathing / breathlessness
Respiratory wheeze
Peripheral cyanosis
Fever
Possible Causes
Generally, Runny nose can be related to:
Infection of the sinuses, which are cavities around the nose and face. The infection can be acute (lasting about a week) or chronic (lasting more than three months). Most often infections start as a viral upper respiratory infection (URI) and then bacterial infection sets in. The symptoms include fever, facial pain or pressure, and nasal obstruction or drainage. Imaging including CT scans may be necessary.
A condition caused by allergens like pollen and dust mites, resulting in a runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
A condition where temperature changes cause symptoms like runny nose, blocked nose, and sneezing.
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Runny nose may be related to these serious diseases:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is a condition where CSF, the fluid surrounding the brain, leaks into the nose and sinuses. Common causes include head trauma, sinus or skull base surgery, or increased pressure inside the skull and brain tissue. In some cases, the leak is spontaneous and the cause is unknown. Headache is a common accompanying symptom.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
Is your nose running?
Do you get a runny nose in a specific location?
Do you get a runny nose or sneeze in dry air such as in winter?
Do you have a fever?
Do you have headaches or a heavy feeling in your head?
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Find Similar Symptoms
References
Runny Nose - Stanford Health
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/service/ear-nose-throat/conditions/chronic-rhinorrhea
Runny Nose - Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/runny-nose/basics/definition/sym-20050640
Runny Nose (Rhinorrhea) - Cleveland Clinic
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/17660-runny-nose
Adoga AA. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea--an overview. Niger J Med. 2009 Jul-Sep;18(3):244-9. doi: 10.4314/njm.v18i3.51163. PMID: 20120638.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20120638/
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
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