What a runny nose is and how it varies
A runny nose means discharge from the nose and swelling of the lining, which makes breathing harder. Most often it comes from a cold, clears by itself and improves in about 1 to 2 weeks. The discharge usually starts clear, then thickens and may turn yellow or green, and the color alone does not prove a bacterial infection. Less often the cause is an allergy, an irritant, sinusitis or nasal polyps.
Viral runny nose or allergy
In a cold, a runny nose usually comes with a scratchy throat, a cough and a slightly raised temperature, and lasts a few days. Influenza starts more abruptly, with a high fever, aches and exhaustion, and a runny nose is not its main symptom.
Signs that point to an allergy are clear watery discharge, bouts of sneezing, an itchy nose and eyes, watery eyes, no fever and a link to pollen season, dust or contact with animals. That kind of runny nose does not go away in a week or two while the trigger is still there. If you suspect an allergy, see an allergist or an ENT doctor.
Runny nose in a child
Children get runny noses more often than adults, especially in kindergarten and school. Babies find it hard to breathe through the nose and eat and sleep worse, so offer more fluids and humidify the air. If the discharge is from one nostril only, foul-smelling or pus-like, especially in a child under 5, think of an object stuck in the nose and see a doctor promptly. Do not wait for it to come out on its own.
See a pediatrician if the runny nose comes with a high fever, the child is drowsy, drinks poorly, breathes with effort, tugs at an ear, or the nose has been running for more than 10 days. Ear pain has its own page: Ear pain.
Runny nose with a fever, cough or sore throat
When a fever, cough or sore throat joins the runny nose, it is usually a viral respiratory infection. For the other symptoms, see Cough, Sore throat and Fever. Reasons to book a visit are a fever of more than 3 days, symptoms that get worse after improving, and pain or heaviness in the forehead, cheeks or around the eyes, which can point to bacterial sinusitis.
Long-lasting and one-sided runny nose
A runny nose that lasts more than 10 days, pus-like, green or bloody discharge, a completely blocked nostril, constant congestion and loss of smell are reasons to see an ENT specialist. The cause can be sinusitis, a deviated septum, polyps or chronic allergic rhinitis.
Runny nose in pregnancy
In pregnancy, a runny nose sometimes appears because of hormonal changes and swelling of the lining, without a cold. But many medicines are not suitable in pregnancy, so do not pick one yourself; check with your obstetrician-gynecologist or a GP.
What you can do before the visit
- Drink more fluids and rest.
- Rinse the nose with a saline solution from the pharmacy to flush out mucus.
- Humidify the room and air it out.
- Sleep with your head slightly raised.
- If you use decongestant drops or sprays, use them for only a few days. Longer use can make the congestion worse.
- For children, pregnant women and older adults, choose medicines with a doctor or pharmacist.
- Do not apply heat to the nose or face if you suspect sinusitis, and do not put home-made mixtures into the nose.
How a doctor finds the cause
The doctor asks about timing, the discharge, fever and allergen contact, and examines the nose and throat. If an allergy is suspected, allergy tests may be offered. For suspected sinusitis or polyps, an ENT specialist can look into the nose with an endoscope, and sometimes a CT scan is added. The plan follows the cause: for a viral infection, care at home is usually enough; for an allergy, avoiding the trigger and the right medication; for a bacterial infection, a doctor decides on an antibiotic, which should never be started on your own.