Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Anything that irritates the inside of the nose can cause a runny nose. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies often cause runny and stuffy noses. Some people have noses that run all the time without a known reason. This is called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis.

A polyp, an object such as a small toy stuck in the nose, or a tumor might cause the nose to run from only one side. Sometimes migraine-like headaches can cause a runny nose.

Causes of a runny nose include:

  1. Acute sinusitis
  2. Allergies
  3. Chronic sinusitis
  4. Churg-Strauss syndrome
  5. Common cold
  6. Decongestant nasal spray overuse
  7. Deviated septum
  8. Dry or cold air
  9. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (a condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels)
  10. Hormonal changes
  11. Influenza (flu)
  12. Object in the nose
  13. Medicines, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, depression, seizures and other conditions
  14. Nasal polyps
  15. Nonallergic rhinitis
  16. Pregnancy
  17. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  18. Tobacco smoke

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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April 07, 2023

See also

  1. Alcohol intolerance
  2. Allergies
  3. Allergy medications: Know your options
  4. Allergy-proof your home
  5. Alpha-gal syndrome
  6. Aspergillosis
  7. Bronchiolitis
  8. Chronic cough
  9. Chronic daily headaches
  10. Cluster headache
  11. Cold and flu viruses: How long can they live outside the body?
  12. Cold or allergy: Which is it?
  13. Cold remedies: What works, what doesn't, what can't hurt
  14. Cold symptoms: Does drinking milk increase phlegm?
  15. Common cold
  16. Common cold in babies
  17. Dust mite allergy
  18. Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza
  19. Flu: When to see a doctor?
  20. Fructose intolerance: Which foods to avoid?
  21. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
  22. Guide to different tick species and the diseases they carry
  23. Headaches and hormones: What's the connection?
  24. Headaches in children
  25. Headaches: Treatment depends on your diagnosis and symptoms
  26. High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines?
  27. Humidifiers: Ease skin, breathing symptoms
  28. Influenza (flu)
  29. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why getting vaccinated for the flu is doubly important this season
  30. Measles
  31. Measles vaccine: Can I get the measles if I've already been vaccinated?
  32. Milk allergy
  33. MRSA infection
  34. Nasal Cleaning
  35. Nasal polyps
  36. Neti pot: Can it clear my nose?
  37. Nighttime headaches: How can I get relief?
  38. Nonallergic rhinitis
  39. Pain Management
  40. Peanut allergy
  41. Pet allergy
  42. Plugged ears: What is the remedy?
  43. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  44. Roseola
  45. Rubella
  46. Swollen lymph nodes
  47. Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant?
  48. Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?
  49. Whooping cough
  50. Whooping cough
  51. Zinc for colds: The final word?