Five Underlying Causes of a Runny Nose You May Not Have Considered

Florida Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center Blog Five Underlying Causes of a Runny Nose You May Not Have Considered

Nearly everyone has experienced a runny nose at some point in their lives. It’s a common symptom of temporary nuisances, like a cold or flu, and usually resolves on its own. Sometimes a runny nose is a warning sign that something more is amiss. Persistent runny nose or one that occurs when you’re outdoors or come in contact with certain things is a calling card for allergies. Visiting a professional for an evaluation is the only way to get to the root of the problem.

At Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center, with two convenient locations in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida,  Dr. Wade Han and our caring team are here to help you identify what is causing your constant sniffles. Whether you are coming down with a cold or have a more chronic condition, such as allergies, we can help get you on the road to recovery.

Warning signs your runny nose is something more

If your runny nose doesn’t get better in a week or two, doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medication, or clears up only to keep returning, you may be suffering from an infection or blockage in your nasal cavity.

Other reasons for a runny nose are:

A runny nose that accompanies a fever and sinus pain is often a sign of an infection. If you have a bacterial sinus infection, you will need antibiotics to clear up the infection. 

Chronic sinusitis

If you think you may have a sinus infection, contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Han, a board-certified ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Symptoms to look out for are: 

After your examination, Dr. Han will design a plan to treat your sinusitis depending on your symptoms and the underlying cause.

Allergy warning signs

Since the main symptoms of a cold, sinus infection, and allergies can overlap, it’s best to see Dr. Han as soon as possible to get an accurate diagnosis. If allergies are behind your runny nose and sniffles, you may also experience:

Like sinus infections, allergies can range from mild to severe and have a wide variety of different triggers, so Dr. Han will personalize your treatment depending on the underlying cause and severity of your symptoms.

For more information about the signs and symptoms of sinusitis or for an evaluation, request an appointment online or over the phone with Florida Ear Nose Throat & Facial Plastic Surgery Center.

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