Rhinorrhea
Rhinorrhea, more commonly referred to as a runny nose, is an excess drainage produced by nasal and adjacent tissues and blood vessels in the nose. This drainage can range from a clear fluid to thick mucus and can run out of your nose, down the back of your throat or both.
Causes[edit | edit source]
- The most common causes of rhinorrhea include:
- Common cold: This viral infection of your upper respiratory tract is the most common cause of a runny nose.
- Allergies: Many people have rhinorrhea when they're exposed to common allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, or mold.
- Sinusitis: This inflammation of the sinuses often follows a cold and can cause postnasal drip.
- Flu (Influenza): Rhinorrhea is a common symptom of the flu.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
In addition to a runny nose, rhinorrhea may be accompanied by sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, sinus pressure, and sore throat.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for rhinorrhea depends on its cause. For a runny nose caused by a virus, rest, warm liquids, and over-the-counter cold remedies can help. If an allergy is causing rhinorrhea, antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, or desensitization therapy (allergy shots) may be recommended.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Prevention strategies can include hand hygiene to prevent infection, avoiding allergens, and using a humidifier to keep nasal and throat passages moist.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- "Rhinorrhea: Causalities and Treatment Strategies". National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- "Runny nose". Mayo Clinic.
- "Rhinorrhea". American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
External Links[edit | edit source]
Rhinorrhea - MedlinePlus Rhinorrhea - American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Rhinorrhea Resources | ||
---|---|---|
|
|
|
Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!
Translate to: East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski
WikiMD is the world's largest, free medical and wellness encyclopedia edited only by professionals. Advertise!
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD, Dr.T