Why Do People Get Runny Noses?
Reaching for the tissues? The sniffles have many causes, and not all of them have to do with illness. Whatever the cause of your runny nose, don't worry--most of the time a runny nose will go away by itself, or can be eased with allergy medication or, in the case of an infection, antibiotics.
Other People Are Reading
-
Viruses
-
When you get a cold or the flu--both conditions caused by germs called rhinoviruses--the viruses damage your nasal membranes. This is a signal that your body is under attack, and your nose begins to run to get rid of the viruses. The excess mucus drips out of your nose or is swallowed, or if there's too much of it it backs up into your sinuses, rather like a clogged toilet. Blowing your nose into a tissue can keep you clean--just remember to throw the tissues away and wash your hands, so you don't spread the virus.
Allergic Reaction
-
Allergies are caused when our immune systems react to a certain substance--pollen, cat or dog dander, dust mites--as if it is an invading germ. So when you come into contact with a substance you're allergic to, your body reacts just as if you have caught a virus. Your nose begins to run to get rid of the offending allergen, and you have to reach for the tissues, antihistamines and decongestants. The good thing is that, unlike viruses, allergies are non-communicable so you don't need to be quite so careful with your tissues (although you really should wash your hands often for hygiene's sake).
-
Cold
-
Sometimes all it takes is a temperature change to make your nose run. When it's cold outside, your nose has to warm up the air you breathe before it gets down to your lungs. So the body sends lots of warming blood into the nasal mucous membranes. Your lungs stay nice and cozy, but the nasal membranes go into mucous-production overtime as a side effect of all that extra bloodflow. Result: a runny nose.
Crying
-
Why do we have to reach for a box of tissues when we cry? Tears don't just fall from your eyes and roll down your cheeks, they also drain off into tear ducts at the inside corner of your eyes. These ducts end in your nasal cavity. There, excess tears mix with mucous and loosen it until it starts dripping out of your nose. This condition also can occur during an allergic reaction, if the allergen makes your eyes watery.
Other Causes
-
One common cause of a nasty, yellow- or green-tinged runny nose is a sinus infection. Hot foods irritate the nasal membranes and cause your nose to run. Many medications can cause a runny nose, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sedatives, contraceptives and impotence drugs. Hormone changes, such as those caused by pregnancy, can produce a runny nose. Some people find that stress makes them reach for the tissues.
-
