What Makes Your Nose Run?

The flu, a sinus infection and exposure to cold weather can all lead to a runny nose. Noses contain mucus and different circumstances stimulate it differently. The Children's Hospital of Aurora, Colorado website outlines several conditions that make your nose run, along with a few remedies.

Common Cold or Flu

• When afflicted with the flu or a cold, the body makes more mucus to prevent the virus from contaminating other parts of the body like the lungs, which could lead to pneumonia. This excess mucus causes a runny nose.

Crying

• Crying causes tears to come out of the tear glands that are located under your eyelids. The tears drain through the tear ducts that drain into your nose. Once the tears and mucus combine, the substance drips from your nose.

Cold Weather

• When inhaling cold air, the body uses the nose to warm up the air it is sending to the lungs. Blood vessels in the nose dilate to warm up cold air, increasing blood flow. Blood flow increases mucus production, leading to a runny nose.

Remedies

• Decongestants help loosen up mucus so that you can quickly get rid of a runny nose. Antihistamines also work to dry up mucus and banish a runny nose.

Warnings

• Consult a doctor before buying over-the-counter decongestants, as they can cause side effects.