Symptom: Runny nose

Introduction: Runny nose

Runny nose: Runny nasal discharge (medically named coryza). See free access online books about Runny nose below. See detailed information below for a list of 151 causes of Runny nose, including diseases and drug side effect causes.

» Review Causes of Runny nose: full list

Causes of Runny nose:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Runny nose. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Common causes of short-term runny nose (coryza) include:
  • Various types of respiratory infections
  • Common cold
  • Flu
  • Parainfluenza
  • Respiratory syncytial virus
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Spicy foods
  • Allergic reaction
  • Sinusitis
  • Whooping cough
  • See also stuffy nose, cold-like symptoms and flu-like symptoms
• Possible causes of chronic runny nose include:
  • Allergies - see various types of allergies
  • Hay fever
  • Sinus infection
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Vasomotor rhinitis
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Otitis media
  • Vasomotor rhinitis
  • Nasal foreign body - often a one-sided foul smelling nasal discharge.
  • Congenital nasal abnormality
  • Nasal polyp
  • Nasal tumor
  • Nasal cancer
  • Rhinitis medicamentosa
  • Cocaine abuse
  • Pregnancy
  • Nasal mastocytosis

See full list of 151 causes of Runny nose

» Review Causes of Runny nose: full list

Causes of Types of Runny nose:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Runny nose:

• Sneezing (44 causes)
• Stuffed nose (107 causes)
• Profuse watery nasal discharge (2 causes)
• Hay fever (3 causes)
• Allergic Rhinitis (16 causes)
• Nasal congestion (28 causes)
• Nasal allergies
• Nasal Obstruction (72 causes)

More types of Runny nose

Runny nose: Multiple Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Runny nose, as listed in our database. Visit the Multiple Symptoms Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Multiple Symptom Checker - Other Symptoms

• Runny nose: Multiple Symptom Checker

Multiple Symptom Checker Combinations

• Runny nose and Head symptoms (102 causes)
• Runny nose and Face symptoms (100 causes)
• Runny nose and Nose symptoms (96 causes)
• Runny nose and Cold-like symptoms (94 causes)
• Runny nose and Stuffed nose (94 causes)
• Runny nose and Discharge (87 causes)
• Runny nose and Mucus symptoms (86 causes)
• Runny nose and Nerve symptoms (77 causes)
• Runny nose and Sensations (77 causes)
• Runny nose and Pain (76 causes)
• Runny nose and Respiratory symptoms (70 causes)
• Runny nose and Fever (55 causes)
• Runny nose and Breathing symptoms (54 causes)
• Runny nose and Breath symptoms (52 causes)
• Runny nose and Throat symptoms (51 causes)
• Runny nose and Cough (49 causes)
• Runny nose and Breathing difficulties (49 causes)
• Runny nose and Headache (48 causes)
• Runny nose and Eye symptoms (47 causes)
• Runny nose and Temperature symptoms (47 causes)

See full list of 1287 Multiple Symptom Checker combinations related to Runny nose

Home Diagnostic Testing and Runny nose

Home medical tests possibly related to Runny nose:

• Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
  • Home Fever Tests
  • Home Ear Infection Tests
  • Home Flu Tests

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Mucus symptoms (117 causes)
• Cold-like symptoms (111 causes)
• Stuffed nose (107 causes)
• Discharge (167 causes)
• Nose symptoms (445 causes)
• Head symptoms (3837 causes)
• Face symptoms (2766 causes)

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Runny nose

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Runny nose:

• Stuffed nose (107 causes)
• Fever (1218 causes)
• Cough (441 causes)
• Headache (977 causes)
• Postnasal drip (12 causes)
• Cold-like symptoms (111 causes)
• Flu-like symptoms (64 causes)
• Dry nose (7 causes)

Diagnostic Guides for Runny nose

12 MEDICAL SYMPTOM BOOKS: FULL TEXT ONLINE! Read the full text of published book sections related to Runny nose from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Runny nose. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Runny nose

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Misdiagnosis and Runny nose

Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis, when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection, such as a common cold....read more »

Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this protection wears off after...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Runny nose

Diagnostic tests for Runny nose:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Runny nose. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • Full examination of the ears, nose and throat
  • Palpate the sinuses for tenderness that may suggest sinusitis
  • Feel the lymph nodes in the neck for enlargement
• Blood tests

See full list of 18 diagnostic tests for Runny nose

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Runny nose. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• When did the runny nose start? - to determine if acute or chronic.
• Is the runny nose unilateral (one-sided) or bilateral (both sided)? - Unilateral runny nose, especially if pus-like (thick and yellow) suggests acute sinusitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, nose tumor, foreign body and syphilis. Unilateral clear or mucous-like runny nose could be chronic sinusitis. An acute bilateral runny nose suggests upper respiratory tract infection such as the common cold or influenza. A chronic bilateral clear or mucous-like runny nose suggests allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis or vasomotor sinusitis.
• What type of nasal discharge is it? - e.g. pus-like discharge suggests acute sinusitis, chronic bacterial sinusitis, Wegener's granulomatosis, nasal tumor, foreign body or syphilis. If the discharge is mucous-like or clear may suggest allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis, cluster headache, migraine or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid after trauma. If it is a blood-stained discharge must consider nasopharyngeal cancer.
• History of head injury? - may indicate leakage of cerebrospinal fluid through the nose after trauma.
• Past medical history? - e.g. allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, Wegener's granulomatosis.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Runny nose (20 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Runny nose) may include:

• Fever? - If associated with runny nose, consider acute sinusitis, acute viral upper respiratory tract infection or Wegener's granulomatosis.
• Sneezing? - suggests allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.
• Facial pain? - suggests acute sinusitis, cluster headache, migraine or nasopharyngeal cancer.
• Symptoms of the common cold? - e.g. tiredness, sore runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, slight fever; sometimes headache, hoarseness and cough.
• Symptoms of influenza? - e.g. fever, chills, headache, generalized muscle aches and pains followed by sore throat, dry cough and runny nose.

See Diagnosis Checklist for Runny nose (20 listings)

Stories from Users for Runny nose

Real-life user stories relating to Runny nose:

• Water dripping from nose, not sick
• Frequent bloody noses
• Runny Nose for 5 years in child. Ideas?
• During and after I run
• Running hampered
• Running nose
• Eyes water Nose runs
• Nose Always Runny How Do I Dry It Out
• headache and runny nose when i exercise
• blocked nose and runny nose and sneezing but not all the time
• Running nose
• smelly, runny nose
• Nasal discharge the color and consistency of urine
• Throat glands go up and down
• Exercise makes my nose run
• Runny nose from past drug use..what to do?
• mucus mucus from nose and chest(edited)
• The Run Around
• Nasal problems (alternating congestion, PND, and runny nose) for 3 years
• Stuffy, Runny Nose??i Dont Understand..

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Runny nose or relevant symptoms:

• ENMT (Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat) (275)
  • Swelling in roof of mouth
  • Pain on one side of throat
  • Please help! Mucus/dark circles/bad breath...
  • Painful white bumps on tongue
  • Sinus headache & eye area pain
  • More user stories
• Respiratory (Lungs and Breathing) (136)
  • Chlorine/ammonia odor when I breathe
  • Chest Pain/Pain While Breathing
  • Clearing throat cough and breathing difficulties
  • Chest discomfort
  • Unable to get diagnosis....please help!
  • More user stories
• Allergic/Immunologic (88)
  • Chronic hives
  • Spontaneous flushing and redness of face and body.
  • Non-stop itching, no rash
  • Swelling & itching
  • Problems with my scalp can anyone help me
  • More user stories

Videos for Runny nose

Patient Surveys for Runny nose

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Causes of Runny nose listed in Disease Database:

Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible causes of Runny nose as a symptom include:

• Adenoiditis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Apomorphine
• Atrophic rhinitis
• Chloroacetophenone
• Cluster headache
• Common cold
• CS gas
• Ephedrine
• Esthesioneuroblastomas, olfactory
• Gabapentin
• Glutaraldehyde
• Guanethidine
• Head injury
• Hypothyroidism
• Immotile cilia syndrome 1
• Kartagener's syndrome
• Methyldopa
• Methyldopate
• Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis

See full list of 151 causes of Runny nose
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Medications or substances causing Runny nose:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Runny nose as a symptom. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

• Beta blockers
• Certain blood pressure medications
• Aspirin
• NSAIDs
• Oral contraceptives

See full list of 222 medications causing Runny nose

Definitions of Runny nose:

An inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose, usually associated with nasal discharge.
- (Source - Diseases Database)

Organs affected by Runny nose:

The list of organs typically affected by Runny nose may include, but is not limited to:

• Nose
• Sinuses

Detailed list of causes of Runny nose

The list below shows some of the causes of Runny nose mentioned in various sources:

• Addiction - nasal congestion
• Adenoiditis - blocked nose
• Adenoviridae Infections - runny nose
• Adenovirus infection in immunocompromised patients - runny nose
• Allergic irritability syndrome - allergic rhinitis

See full list of 151 causes of Runny nose

How Common are these Causes of Runny nose?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Runny nose. Of the 151 causes of Runny nose that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 9 causes are "very common" diseases
• 3 causes are "common" diseases
• 2 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 1 causes are "rare" diseases
• 11 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 135 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 151 causes of Runny nose

Conditions listing symptoms: Runny nose:

The following list of conditions have 'Runny nose' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Causes of Runny nose Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Runny nose based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: