Rhinorrhea is the complex name for the condition most people would describe as runny or dripping nose. It is usually a symptom of other things, and most people can name plenty of conditions that might cause it. The way it is treated may depend on underlying disease factors, and from time to time no treatment is needed, with rhinorrhea quickly resolving.
Sometimes rhinorrhea is runny and stuffy nose. This might particularly occur with conditions such as sinus infection. The nose can feel more plugged than running at times and blowing the nose may become difficult as mucus builds in the sinus passages and is affected by bacterial build-up. The general treatment for runny nose of this type is to give antibiotics. On occasion, decongestants or saline nasal rinses are recommended too, though the former may not be effective until sinuses start to drain.
Colds and viruses may cause rhinorrhea, and there are a number of strategies that help improve comfort. These could, again, include using decongestants or nasal rinses. Most people might note slight decrease of runny nose symptoms with these measures. Sadly, they’re usually not fully effective and people won’t achieve total relief until they’ve recovered from the illness.
Antihistamines might treat rhinorrhea resulting from conditions like allergies. Oral or spray antihistamines may reduce runny nose or eliminate the condition completely. Another way to address allergic runny nose is with steroid nasal sprays. When these are used regularly they can greatly alleviate nasal symptoms.
Certain types of runny nose could suggest other problems. Children who have profuse congestion that also smells bad are usually examined to make sure they have nothing up their nose. Very often, they do have something up their nose. Removing it is necessary and it might be equally necessary to treat for sinus infection caused by the foreign body.
More benign are conditions that create rhinorrhea for a short period of time. Cutting up onions might result in running nose, and a walk in the cold air can also cause this condition. This does not mean that every case of runny nose is without concern.
In rare circumstances, injuries to the head that include skull fractures cause spinal fluid to run out the nose. Such an event might also occur when people have certain types of brain tumors. Especially in children, gastrointestinal reflux disease may be diagnosed when children appear to have chronically runny nose.
