Rhinorrhea | |
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Other names | Rhinorrhoea (or rhinorrhœa) |
Labeled cross section of the nasal cavities | |
Specialty | Otorhinolaryngology |
Rhinorrhea (American English), also spelled rhinorrhoea or rhinorrhœa (British English), or informally runny nose is the free discharge of a thin mucus fluid from the nose;[1] it is a common condition. It is a common symptom of allergies (hay fever) or certain viral infections, such as the common cold or COVID-19. It can be a side effect of crying, exposure to cold temperatures, cocaine abuse,[2] or drug withdrawal, such as from methadone or other opioids.[3] Treatment for rhinorrhea may be aimed at reducing symptoms or treating underlying causes. Rhinorrhea usually resolves without intervention, but may require treatment by a doctor if symptoms last more than 10 days or if symptoms are the result of foreign bodies in the nose.[4]
The term rhinorrhea was coined in 1866 from the Greek rhino- ("of the nose") and -rhoia ("discharge" or "flow").[5]