Rhinorrhoea: What Is It and How Can You Treat It?

A rhinorrhoea, better known as a runny nose, is a very annoying condition and a very common symptom during periods of temperature changes and cold weather, as well as seasonal allergies. Today we explain how you can prevent it and what you can do to treat it.

What is nasal rhinorrhoea?

The nasal rhinorrhoea consists of the excessive secretion of mucus, which then runs out of the nose. This mucus may be watery (typical of colds, flu and allergies) or thicker (linked to inflammation or respiratory infections).

Causes of nasal rhinorrhoea

The most common causes of rhinorrhoea are as follows:

• Viral or bacterial infections: associated with colds or other respiratory processes. It is usually accompanied by discomfort, congestion, sneezing, cough or fever.
• Allergic rhinitis: caused by exposure to an allergen such as pollen or dust mites. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as watery eyes and sneezing.
• Vasomotor rhinitis: this may be triggered by a very strong smell, changes in temperature, stress...

Difference between nasal congestion and rhinorrhoea

Are rhinorrhoea and nasal congestion the same thing? They are often confused, but they are not the same:

• Nasal congestion: this refers to the feeling of a blocked nose. It makes breathing difficult, but there may not be any mucus present. This congestion can cause rhinorrhoea.

• Nasal rhinorrhoea: this is the runniness or discharge of mucus from the nose.

In cases of rhinorrhoea, the goal of treatment is always aimed at:

• Treating the irritation of the mucous membrane.
• Relieving the symptoms.
• Improving breathing.

How to stop rhinorrhoea

When nasal congestion is intense, it is recommended to use a decongestant such as Rhinovin to help relieve that blocked-nose feeling and improve breathing.

Rhinovin also helps reduce inflammation of the nasal mucosa. However, it is a vasoconstrictor, so it should be used for a maximum of 3 to 5 consecutive days to avoid rebound congestion. We can complement this with sea-water nasal washes such as Rhinomer 1 to 2 times a day.

How to prevent rhinorrhoea

The most effective preventive method against rhinorrhoea is nasal washing with isotonic or hypertonic sea-water solutions (for decongestion), such as Rhinomer.

With Rhinomer, we manage to clean away excess mucus and keep the nasal mucosa hydrated. As a preventive measure, it can be used 1 or 2 times a week. Straight after use, it is recommended to blow the nose.