Nasal discharge

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Throat anatomy

Runny and stuffy nose

Overview

Treatment

Nasal discharge

Alternative Names:

Runny nose; Postnasal drip; Rhinorrhea

Home Care:

Keep the mucus thin rather than thick and sticky. This helps prevent complications, such as ear and sinus infections, and plugging of your nasal passages. To thin the mucus:

Use saline nasal sprays.
Drink extra fluids.
Increase the humidity in the air with a vaporizer or humidifier.

Antihistamines may reduce the amount of mucus. Be careful, because some antihistamines may make you drowsy. Don't use over-the-counter nasal sprays more frequently than 3 days on and 3 days off, unless ordered by the doctor.

OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS

Many people think that a green or yellow nasal discharge means a bacterial infection, which requires antibiotics. This is NOT true. Colds will often begin with a clear nasal discharge, but after several days it usually turns creamy yellow or green. Colds are caused by viruses, and antibiotics will not help. A green or yellow nasal discharge is not a sign you need antibiotics.

Call your health care provider if:

A nasal discharge follows a head injury.
The drainage is foul smelling, one-sided, or a color other than white or yellow.
Symptoms persist beyond 3 weeks.
There is fever along with nasal discharge.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your doctor may perform a physical examination, including an examination of the ears, nose, and throat.

Your doctor may ask medical history questions, such as:

Is the discharge thin and watery or is it thick?
Is it bloody?
What color is it?
How long has the nasal discharge been present?
Is it present all the time?
What other symptoms are also present?
Is your nose stuffy or congested?
Do you have a cough or headache?
Do you have a sore throat?
Do you have a fever?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed for persistent problems include:

CT scan of the head
X-rays of the skull and sinuses

For allergic rhinitis, antihistamines may be prescribed. Antibiotics should only be prescribed for bacterial infections.

Review Date: 4/28/2006
Reviewed By: Alden J. Pearl M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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