Nose leaking Like a Faucet? How To Finally Stop Your Chronic runny nose

Suffering from the dreaded runny nose? The constant, annoying drip, drip, drip.  Maybe you never leave home without a pack of tissues. The skin around your nose may be raw and irritated. If you feel like your nose is a faucet that just won’t turn off, it may be time to take action. Learn more about how you may be able to finally put a stop to runny nose symptoms. 

Step #1: Identify what is causing your runny nose. 

In order to put a stop to your runny nose, it’s essential to start by figuring out why your nose running in the first place. As there can be numerous potential causes, narrowing down the root of the problem is critical, especially if you have other ongoing sinus and nasal symptoms or conditions.

Here are several common causes:  

Viruses

Viruses like the cold and flu release  inflammation-causing chemicals (called cytokines). In many cases, this commonly causes a drippy nose with clear drainage. The good news is, this will usually clear up and go away with time. Also, many OTC medications will help ease symptoms temporarily. 

Allergies

Generally speaking, allergies are when your immune system mistakes a foreign substance as dangerous, and it triggers the release of the chemical called histamine. This immune response can cause numerous respiratory and skin reactions, including a runny nose with clear mucus. This is especially the case with nasal allergies. Symptoms can be temporary or ongoing. 

Temporary symptoms may occur with allergens like smoke or a particular chemical to which your exposure may be limited, or if you have seasonal allergies, for instance (although seasonal allergy symptoms may not feel temporary!). Ongoing symptoms may occur, such as with exposure to allergens such as dust or pet dander, for example. In some cases, allergy sufferers can often tend to have multiple allergies and thus, can experience more ongoing symptoms—i.e. a runny nose. 

Sinus Infection 

When allergies or colds occur frequently, are persistent, and symptoms are difficult to control, this can easily lead to sinus infection. Constant inflammation can cause bacteria to brew and infect your sinuses. Runny nose and thicker mucous or nasal discharge may occur. While many sinus infections may resolve themselves, steroids and antibiotics can help in severe cases.

If you experience multiple acute bouts of sinus infections within a year, or suffer from sinus infections that last for weeks on end, it may mean you have chronic sinusitis. A variety of treatments exist that can help alleviate this condition. 

Nasal Polyps 

Nasal polyps are soft, tissue growths in the sinuses and can lead to a chronic runny nose. The reason for this is because they are made up of inflammatory cells which trigger mucus production, as well as facial pressure and loss of smell, among other symptoms. Treatment may include steroids or full removal.

Vasomotor rhinitis

While perhaps not as common of a culprit, vasomotor rhinitis is a chronic condition involving overactive nerve endings in the nose. This condition and symptomatology, which may include chronic runny nose, also resembles allergies, making a diagnosis a bit trickier. 

What you can you do about it?

Ultimately, a diagnosis that gets to the root cause of your chronic runny nose can lead to the appropriate and most effective treatment path to alleviate your symptoms and fix the problem. 

Some common remedies or treatments include: 

  • Eliminating triggers, minimize exposure to allergens, and potentially certain foods  
  • Antihistamines 
  • Nasal sprays, or corticosteroids 
  • Nasal irrigation, such as the use of a neti pots or saline sprays 
  • Cryotherapy, such as ClariFix, may be a treatment option for vasomotor rhinitis and other chronic runny nose conditions
  • See an ENT doctor, an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist

If you feel like there seems to be no end in sight for your chronic runny nose, call The Ohio Sinus Institute today and make an appointment. We offer a variety of treatments that can help finally put a stop to your leaky nose misery. You can breath freely again with the diagnosis and treatment approach that’s right for you.  

Call today to schedule!