Runny Nose From Allergies: Symptoms and Treatment

Allergies occur when your body overreacts to a harmless substance called an allergen. A runny nose, along with other nasal symptoms such as stuffiness or sneezing, is typically caused by allergic rhinitis—commonly called hay fever. Allergies often worsen during certain seasons or with changes in the weather. Learn more about how allergies cause a runny nose and how to treat it in this article.

How Allergies Cause a Runny Nose

A runny nose can be caused by exposure to any allergen, including foods you might be allergic to. However, the most common allergy-related causes of runny nose are allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis causes a runny nose, stuffiness, sneezing, and itchy skin/eyes/mouth. Although this condition is commonly called hay fever, it doesn't usually cause a fever. It occurs when your body overreacts to harmless substances in your environment.

You might have "seasonal allergies" that cause your symptoms to worsen during certain seasons, or your symptoms might occur throughout the year—a condition called perennial allergic rhinitis.

Seasonal allergies are caused by environmental airborne allergens. These can include:

• Grass
• Pollen
• Ragweed
• Mold
• Fungi

Exposure to other specific allergens can also increase symptoms during certain seasons, such as:

• Campfire or fireplace smoke
• Insect stings/bites
• Chlorine in swimming pools
• Pine trees
• Holiday candy ingredients

Allergic rhinitis can also be triggered by indoor allergens or air pollution that aren't season-specific, including:

• Pet dander
• Dust mites
• Indoor mold
• Cigarette smoke
• Fragrances
• Diesel exhaust
• Smog
• Dry air

Sinusitis

A runny nose and post-nasal drip can also be a sign of sinusitis or sinus infection. Seasonal allergies can increase your risk of developing sinusitis. As the fluid builds up in your sinuses, viruses and sometimes bacteria can grow and cause an infection.

Unlike allergies, fever can occur as a side effect of sinusitis. Other symptoms of this condition include:

• Facial pain or pressure
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Bad smelling breath
• Congestion
  

Overuse of Nasal Spray

Runny nose allergies can be made worse by one of the things meant to relieve your symptoms—decongestant nasal spray. This phenomenon is called rebound congestion.

Decongestant nasal sprays temporarily decrease nasal symptoms of allergies by reducing swelling in your nasal passageways. They are effective, and tend to work quickly. However, after just a few days of use, the reduced blood flow that helped relieve swelling can start to cause more swelling.

Treatment & Remedies

There are many treatments available for allergies, including both medications and runny nose home remedies. Effectiveness of these treatments will depend on the severity of your symptoms.

Antihistamines

These medications are often the first line of treatment for runny nose allergies. They work by targeting chemicals produced by your immune system that are causing your unwanted symptoms.

Many antihistamines are available OTC, or over-the-counter, (such as Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, and Benadryl), while more severe symptoms might require prescription-strength medication. Many cold medicines also contain antihistamines as one of their ingredients.

Liquids

Staying hydrated provides more than one benefit if you have allergies. First, drinking fluids helps thin out the mucus, making it easier to clear it out when you blow your nose. Second, breathing steam from hot drinks or soups can also open your sinuses and help soothe a sore throat that often occurs as a side effect of allergies.

Facial Steam

Breathing warm, moist air can open your nasal passageways and loosen mucus if you have allergies. While this can be done at home using boiling water, it can lead to serious burns.

You can safely breathe some steam just by spending a few extra minutes in a hot shower. Or, try a commercial handheld steam inhaler designed specifically for this purpose. Essential oils, such as eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, and thyme can be added to help treat your symptoms.

Sinus Irrigation

Rinsing your nasal passageways can help relieve runny nose allergy symptoms by clearing out excess debris and breaking up mucus. This is often done using specialized vessels, such as a neti pot.

Other Causes

Runny nose symptoms can be caused by a variety of non-allergic conditions as well. Nonallergic rhinitis, common cold, and influenza all have symptoms similar to allergies.

Nasal issues can also be caused by a deviated septum, or "crooked nose," or polyps, which are harmless growths that can occur in your nose.

A Word From Verywell

You don't have to "learn to live with" your allergies. If OTC medications and home remedies aren't enough, talk to your doctor. You might benefit from allergy shots or other ongoing medical interventions.