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. Do zinc supplements shorten colds?
  18. Dust mite allergy
  19. Flu shot: Your best bet for avoiding influenza
  20. Flu: When to see a doctor?
  21. Fructose intolerance: Which foods to avoid?
  22. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
  23. Guide to different tick species and the diseases they carry
  24. Headaches and hormones: What's the connection?
  25. Headaches in children
  26. Headaches: Treatment depends on your diagnosis and symptoms
  27. High-dose flu vaccines: How are they different from other flu vaccines?
  28. Humidifiers: Ease skin, breathing symptoms
  29. Influenza (flu)
  30. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why getting vaccinated for the flu is doubly important this season
  31. Measles
  32. Measles vaccine: Can I get the measles if I've already been vaccinated?
  33. Milk allergy
  34. MRSA infection
  35. Nasal Cleaning
  36. Nasal polyps
  37. Neti pot: Can it clear my nose?
  38. Nighttime headaches: Relief
  39. Nonallergic rhinitis
  40. Pain Management
  41. Peanut allergy
  42. Pet allergy
  43. Plugged ears: What is the remedy?
  44. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  45. Roseola
  46. Rubella
  47. Swollen lymph nodes
  48. Vicks VapoRub: An effective nasal decongestant?
  49. Warm-mist versus cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?
  50. Whooping cough
  51. Whooping cough