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'Rhinorrhea', commonly known as a 'runny nose', is a symptom of the common cold and allergies (hay fever). The term comes from the Greek words "rhinos" meaning "of the nose" and "rhoia" meaning "a flowing." Rhinorrhea can also be a sign of withdrawal, such as from opioids.^[1] Symptoms display circadian rhythms.^[2]
Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea can indicate basilar skull fracture.

Contents

Overview

Non-viral/non-allergic causes

Treatment

References

Overview

Nasal discharge is any mucus-like material that comes out of the nose. Nasal discharges are common, but rarely serious. Drainage from inflamed or infected sinuses may be thick or discolored. Excess mucus production may run down the back of your throat (postnasal drip) or cause a cough that is usually worse at night. A sore throat may also result from excessive mucus drainage. The mucus drainage may plug up the eustachian tube between the nose and the ear, causing an ear infection and pain. The mucus drip may also plug the sinus passages, causing sinus infection and pain.

Non-viral/non-allergic causes

Symptoms are not always caused by specific allergens or similarly a viral infection. Strong smelling substances such as propyl disulphide and allyl disulphide (found in onions and garlic, both of the Genus Allium) and particularly CS gas (which provides an especially intense pepper-like odour) are found to exaggerate the condition.
Colds

Flu

Hay fever — nasal discharge is usually clear and very thin

Sinusitis — the nasal discharge may be thick and discolored yellow, brown, or green

Head injury

Bacterial infections

Small objects in the nostril (especially in children)

Nasal sprays — using drops containing vasoconstrictors for more than 3 days in a row may cause nasal discharge to come back

Treatment

Keep the mucus thin rather than thick and sticky. This helps prevent complications, such as ear and sinus infections, and plugging of your nasal passages. To thin the mucus:

★ Drink extra fluids.

★ Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier.

★ Antihistamines may reduce the amount of mucus. Be careful, because some antihistamines may make you drowsy.

★ Use saline nasal sprays. Don't use over-the-counter nasal sprays more frequently than three days on and three days off, unless ordered by the doctor.

References

1. Kneisl, Wilson, & Trigoboff. (2004). Contemporary Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson. pg274
2. Smolensky MH, Reinberg A, Labrecque G. (1995). Twenty-four hour pattern in symptom intensity of viral and allergic rhinitis: treatment implications. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1995 May;95(5 Pt 2):1084-96.