What Are the Causes of Chronic Runny Nose in Children?

A runny nose is a common occurrence in childhood. Children may have runny noses along with colds and flus; however, colds and flus should not cause a chronic runny nose. Children with nasal allergies may have persistent runny noses. According to the St. John Health System, about 15 percent of all children suffer from nasal allergies.

Allergic Response

• Children with nasal allergies release histamine in response to inhalation of an allergen. Histamine is a body chemical that fights off invaders. One symptom of a histamine response is a runny nose.

Common Allergens

• Common nasal allergens include pet dander, dust mites, mold, pollen, grass spores, feather pillows, tobacco smoke and chemicals in household cleaners.

Allergy Symptoms

• Children with allergies may have either a runny or stuffy nose much of the time. They may wipe or wiggle their noses often. Also, the mucus drainage that occurs as a result of allergies is usually clear. Other symptoms may include sneezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes and dry cough.

Diagnosis

• If your child has a chronic runny nose and your suspect the culprit may be allergies, talk to your child's pediatrician about your concerns. Most likely, the pediatrician will make a referral to an allergist, who can conduct blood tests and skin tests to determine whether the child is allergic to certain substances.

Treatment

• If possible, reduce allergens from the child's environment. Reducing allergens may involve dusting and vacuuming regularly or using special mattress and pillow covers to prevent dust mites from irritating the child. Humidifiers can reduce mold, which can trigger allergies. Prescription medications may be recommended by a physician. Over-the-counter medications should not be used without a doctor's consent.