17660 Runny Nose

Overview

A runny nose means extra mucus (the slippery, jelly-like fluid your nose makes) is dripping or flowing from your nose. Sometimes it is thin and watery, like tears. Other times it is thicker and cloudy. Your nose makes mucus all the time to trap dust, germs and pollen, and to keep the inside of your nose moist. A runny nose usually means your nose is irritated or fighting something off, so it makes more mucus than usual. It is not a condition on its own — it is a symptom, a signal that something is going on in your nose or sinuses (the small air-filled spaces around your nose and cheeks).

Very common. Almost everyone gets a runny nose from time to time, and it is one of the most frequent reasons people visit a pharmacist or family doctor.

People of all ages. Children get runny noses often because they are around other children and are still building up their immune defences (their body's natural protection against germs). Adults can be affected by allergies, work or home irritants, and infections. Older adults may notice it more with cold air, certain medicines, or a naturally drier nose lining.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Clear, watery fluid dripping from the nose
• Thick or cloudy discharge, which can happen as a cold develops
• A blocked or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• An itchy or tickly nose
• Mucus running down the back of the throat (called post-nasal drip), which can cause a scratchy throat or a cough
• Mild soreness or redness around the nostrils from wiping
• A reduced sense of smell or taste when the nose is blocked
• Feeling tired or slightly unwell, if an infection is the cause

Symptoms in children

• Babies and young children cannot blow their nose, so mucus may crust and make feeding and sleeping harder
• A baby may sound snuffly or breathe noisily, especially during feeds
• Children may rub their nose upward with the palm of the hand (sometimes called an 'allergic salute') when allergies are the cause
• Young children may pull at their ears or seem irritable if the nose and throat are congested
• Runny nose is very often paired with a mild cough, and it usually settles without treatment

Symptoms in older adults

• Cold air, dry indoor heating and some medicines can trigger or worsen a runny nose
• A naturally thinner nose lining can make the nose drip more easily, especially when eating or in cold weather
• Blocked noses can disturb sleep more, and poor sleep can affect energy and memory
• A runny nose should not be assumed to be 'just age' — it is worth mentioning to a doctor, particularly if it is one-sided or has changed recently

Causes

Main causes

• Viral infections — the common cold, flu and similar viruses are the number one cause
• Allergies — pollen (hay fever), house dust mites, pet dander, or mould
• Irritants — cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, cleaning products, pollution, or cold, dry air
• Changes in temperature — walking into a warm room or stepping outside into the cold can make the nose drip
• Medicines — some blood pressure drugs, and using decongestant nose sprays for more than a few days (which can cause 'rebound' blockage and dripping)
• Hormonal changes — pregnancy, puberty, and some hormonal conditions
• Structural issues — a crooked nose, nasal polyps (soft, harmless growths), or enlarged adenoids (tissue at the back of the nose, common in children)
• Eating spicy or very hot food, which can trigger a brief, harmless drip

Risk factors

• Being around young children, or working in schools, childcare or healthcare
• Having asthma, eczema, or a personal or family history of allergies
• Smoking, or living with someone who smokes
• Living in a home with damp, mould, or lots of dust
• Seasonal exposure to pollen, or having pets
• A weakened immune system or a long-term health condition
• Using decongestant nose sprays for more than a few days in a row

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Breathing difficulty, or swelling of the face, lips or tongue
• A fever with a stiff neck, severe headache, confusion, or a rash that does not fade when pressed
• A fever in a baby under 3 months old
• Bad-smelling or bloody discharge from one nostril, especially in a child
• A nosebleed that will not stop after about 20 minutes of firm pinching
• Symptoms that are rapidly getting worse, or a feeling of being very unwell

Book a routine appointment if:

• A runny nose that lasts more than 10 to 14 days, or keeps coming back
• Symptoms that always happen at the same time of year, or around pets or dust
• A blocked nose that affects sleep, work, school, or your sense of smell
• Runny nose with facial pressure or a headache that will not settle
• You are taking a new medicine and think it may be the cause — do not stop prescribed medicine on your own, ask your doctor or pharmacist
• A runny nose in a child that is affecting feeding, sleep or growth

Diagnosis

In most cases a doctor or pharmacist can tell what is going on just by talking with you and looking inside your nose. They will ask how long it has been going on, whether the discharge is watery or thick, whether it is one side or both, if there is itching or sneezing, what makes it better or worse, and what medicines you take. This simple conversation is often enough. No tests are usually needed.

Tests that may be done

• Usually none — the diagnosis is based on your symptoms and a short examination
• Looking inside the nose with a small light, and sometimes a thin, flexible viewing tube if the cause is unclear
• Allergy testing (skin prick tests or a blood test) if allergies seem likely
• A swab from the nose or throat if a specific infection is suspected
• A scan of the sinuses in rare cases where problems keep coming back or are one-sided

What to expect at your appointment

Expect a short appointment with questions and a quick look at your nose and throat. You may be asked to press gently on your cheeks and forehead to check for sinus tenderness. Most people leave with advice on self-care and reassurance, and sometimes a suggestion to try a treatment for a few weeks to see if it helps. If allergy testing or a scan is arranged, your doctor will explain why and what happens next.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. For a cold, the goal is comfort while your body clears the virus — rest, fluids and simple nose care. For allergies, the goal is to reduce contact with the trigger and calm the allergic response. For irritation or medicine-related causes, removing the trigger is often enough. Your pharmacist is an excellent first port of call for over-the-counter options, and your doctor can help if symptoms are long-lasting or the cause is unclear.

Self-care at home

• Rinse your nose with salty water (saline) — ready-made saline sprays and rinses are widely available, and saline is simply salt water that helps loosen mucus and moisten the nose
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, warm drinks and clear soups, to keep mucus thin
• Rest — your body heals faster when you are not run down
• Use a humidifier or place a bowl of water near a radiator to add moisture to dry indoor air
• Take a warm shower or breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water (carefully, and never leave a child alone with hot water)
• Sleep with your head slightly raised on an extra pillow to help drainage
• Blow your nose gently, one nostril at a time, to avoid pressure in the ears
• Use a soft, moisturising balm or petroleum jelly on sore nostrils — but not inside the nose for babies and young children
• For babies, saline drops before feeds and gentle suction with a bulb syringe can help; ask your health visitor or pharmacist for advice

Medical treatments

There is no single treatment for a runny nose — it depends on the cause. For allergies, your doctor or pharmacist may suggest treatments that calm the allergic reaction, or nasal sprays that reduce swelling and dripping. For viral colds, antibiotics do not work, because antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses. If a bacterial sinus infection is suspected, your doctor may discuss whether antibiotics are appropriate. Importantly, decongestant nose sprays should only be used for a few days in a row, as longer use can make blockage and dripping worse. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting any medicine, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking other medicines, or managing a long-term condition.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is rarely needed for a runny nose. It may be discussed if there is a structural problem that keeps causing symptoms — for example nasal polyps, greatly enlarged adenoids in a child, or a significantly crooked nose that blocks breathing. This is only considered after other treatments have been tried and after a specialist assessment. Most people never need it.

Living with this condition

A runny nose is usually a brief annoyance, but if it lingers — as with allergies — it can affect sleep, concentration at work or school, and how comfortable you feel in social situations. Practical habits make a real difference: keep tissues handy, carry a saline spray, keep rooms well ventilated and not too dry, and note what seems to trigger your symptoms so you can plan around it.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep a simple diary of when symptoms flare up — this helps you and your doctor spot patterns such as pollen seasons, pets or dust
• Reduce dust at home by damp-dusting, washing bedding regularly in hot water, and choosing easy-to-clean floors where possible
• Keep windows closed during high pollen periods, and shower and change clothes after being outdoors on high-pollen days
• Avoid cigarette smoke and vaping entirely — both irritate the nose lining and make symptoms worse
• Use fragrance-free cleaning products and toiletries if strong smells seem to set you off
• Keep indoor air from getting too dry, especially in winter with heating on
• Wash your hands regularly, especially during cold and flu season

Diet and exercise

There is no special diet that cures a runny nose, but staying well hydrated helps keep mucus thin and easier to clear. Warm drinks and soups can feel soothing. Spicy food may make your nose run briefly — that is harmless. Regular gentle exercise, such as walking, supports your general health and immune system, and can help you sleep better. If exercise makes your nose stream (this happens to some people, especially in cold air), try a scarf over your nose and mouth when outdoors.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

A persistently runny or blocked nose can wear you down. Poor sleep, feeling self-conscious about sniffing or tissues, and the constant low-level irritation of allergies can affect mood, focus and confidence. This is a very normal reaction and nothing to feel embarrassed about. If symptoms are getting in the way of daily life, tell your doctor — there is often more that can be tried. If you ever feel overwhelmed, anxious or low, reach out to a trusted person, your doctor, or a local mental health or crisis support service.

Prevention

You cannot prevent every runny nose — colds are part of life — but you can reduce how often they happen and how much they bother you. Handwashing, avoiding smoke and known allergens, keeping indoor air clean and not too dry, and staying generally healthy all help. If allergies are your trigger, avoiding the allergen is the single most effective step.

Vaccines

Staying up to date with recommended vaccines, such as the annual flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines where offered, can reduce the chance of infections that cause a runny nose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which vaccines are recommended for you, based on your age and health.

Screening programmes

There is no screening programme for a runny nose. If symptoms keep coming back or last for weeks, that is your signal to see a doctor rather than a reason for routine testing.

Complications

If left untreated

• Sinus infection (sinusitis) — facial pressure, pain and a blocked nose that lasts longer than a typical cold
• Ear infections or ear pressure, especially in children, because the nose and ears are connected
• Sleep disruption, which can lead to tiredness, poor concentration and irritability
• Worsening of asthma or other lung conditions, as a blocked, irritated nose can make breathing harder
• Sore, cracked skin around the nostrils from constant wiping
• In children, difficulty feeding or drinking enough, which is worth checking with a doctor
• Rebound congestion if decongestant nose sprays are used for too long

Long-term outlook

The outlook is very good. Most runny noses from a cold clear within a week to 10 days without any treatment. Allergy-related runny noses can be well managed once you know the trigger, and many people find their symptoms become easier to control with simple lifestyle changes and advice from their pharmacist or doctor. If symptoms linger, that is not usually a sign of something serious — it is simply a reason to get some tailored advice.

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