Runny Nose
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI

Reviewed By:

Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC

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

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.

From our team of 50+ doctors

Content updated on Jan 23, 2024

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How Ubie Can Help You

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.

  • Trained and reviewed by 50+ doctors, our AI Symptom Checker utilizes data from 1,500+ medical centers

  • Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms

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✔︎  When to see a doctor

✔︎  What causes your symptoms

✔︎  Treatment information etc.

People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes

  • 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:

Related serious diseases

Sometimes, Runny nose may be related to these serious diseases:

  • Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea

    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.

  • Anaphylaxis

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

Similar symptoms or complaints

References

Reviewed By:

Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC

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

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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