Medication and Dry Eyes

When A Runny Nose Is Brain Fluid Leaking: Here Is What To Do

Most cases of runny noses are not from central spinal fluid (CSF) leaks. (Photo: Getty Images)

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It's not snot. It's leaking brain fluid.

That's what Greg Phillpotts learned after suffering from a runny nose for 5 years, as described by Josh Chapin for ABC 11 Eyewitness News. Here's a Tweet from Chapin:

It turned out that Phillpotts was not experiencing constant allergies as he had been told previously. Instead, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) was leaking out into his nose. CSF is a fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord, cushioning, protecting, and supporting those parts of the body. CSF is one of the reason your brain doesn't land with a thud every time you do a jumping jack or listen to Metallica. Normally, the membranes keep the CSF contained, a bit like a big water balloon around your brain and spinal cord. However, anything that may damage the membranes, such as a head injury, surgery, or a tumor, may leave a hole though which the fluid can leak out, potentially into your nose or ear.

Here's a TODAY show segment about another person who had a somewhat similar experience:

As you can see, such a condition can go misdiagnosed for years. That's because "brain fluid leaking" is usually not the first thing you think about when you have a runny nose. Usually, it's a cold, the weather, allergies, cheap cologne, watching too many rom-com movies, or that darn cat. After all, the condition is very rare. However, consider the possibility of a CSF leak if you find the following:

The fluid only comes out of only one nostril or one ear. Allergies tend to be more equal opportunity and affect all of your nasal passages or both your ears.

The leakage lasts for a long time. A cold or the effects of a romantic comedy should not last for several years at least not continuously.

Tilting your head forward or straining makes the drainage worse. This could make toilet trips particularly fun.

The drainage started after head trauma or surgery. There isn't always a clear cause of the defect or drainage but check what you were doing before the drainage started.

The drainage doesn't change with the seasons or location. Allergy symptoms may improve the farther you stay away from Mr. Bigglesworth but a CSF leakage won't.

The volume of drainage is more than you would expect from a cold or allergies. If you wake up and find your shirt or pillowcase soaked that is more than you may expect from allergies or an infection.

You have accompanying headaches or changes in vision or hearing. A classic symptom is a headache that improves when you lie down. While such symptoms can occur with other conditions, they should warrant further exploration.

As the Cleveland Clinic describes, your doctor can test for a CSF leak by having you lean forward to see if the drainage increases, using a scope to examine your nasal passages, ordering imaging like a CT or MRI, and testing the fluid to see if it resembles CSF. If a CSF leakage has started recently, your doctor may recommend a more conservative approach, giving the defect time to heal on its own. This means staying in bed for a week or 2 and avoiding movements that may keep the defect from healing coughing, sneezing, straining, or laughing. Therefore, you may want to take stool softeners and limit your television watching to C-SPAN.

If conservative approaches don't resolve the leakage, surgery may be in order. Depending on where the defect is located, your doctor may be able to fix it with using a scope.

You don't want to let a CSF leakage go on without fixing it. As one of the surgeons says on this segment of the television show Botched, "brain fluid coming out of the nose is a major concern":

There are very few sentences with the words "brain" and "coming out of the nose" that should not raise concern. Any defect in the membranes surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord can serve as a revolving door for bacteria and other microbes. Such microbes can cause very serious and life-threatening infections such as meningitis. Moreover, CSF leaks can progress to more debilitating symptoms such as severe headaches or be the sign of a more serious problem such as a tumor.

As KidsHealth has pointed out, there's an old joke that says if your nose is running and your feet smell, you must be upside down. Well, if your nose keeps running for weeks or months, see your doctor because something doesn't smell right.

Home Remedies For A Runny Nose

Home remedies that help you stay hydrated and keep the nasal area moist can make you feel more comfortable if you have a runny nose. Treatment can also depend on the underlying cause.

A runny nose is caused by excess mucus production in your nasal passages. This leads to watery secretions that drip from your nose and sometimes also drip down the back of your throat.

A runny nose can occur with or without nasal congestion, also known as a stuffy nose. Nasal congestion is caused by inflammation of the lining of your nasal passages, which makes it harder to breathe through your nose.

There are a few reasons why you might have a runny nose. The most common is a viral infection of the sinuses — typically the common cold. In other cases, a runny nose may be due to cold weather, allergies, sinusitis, or other causes.

When you breathe in a virus or an allergen like dust or pollen, it irritates the lining of your nasal passages and sinuses. This causes your nose to start making clear mucus that traps the germs or allergens and helps flush these harmful substances out of your nose.

This article explores home remedies you can use to help ease the symptoms of a runny nose.

On its own, a runny nose isn't usually a cause for concern. If you don't have any other symptoms, there are several ways to manage a runny nose at home with natural self-care options that don't involve medication.

Let's take a closer look at some of the at-home treatments that may help a runny nose.

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Drinking fluids and staying hydrated when dealing with a runny nose can be helpful if you also have symptoms of nasal congestion.

This ensures that mucus in your sinuses thins out to a runny consistency and is easy for you to expel. Otherwise, it may be thick and sticky, which can make your nose more congested.

Avoid beverages that dehydrate rather than hydrate. This includes drinks like coffee and beverages containing alcohol.

2. Hot teas

On the other hand, hot beverages like tea may sometimes be more helpful than cold ones. This is because of their heat and steam, which help open and decongest airways.

Certain herbal teas contain herbs that are mild decongestants. Look for teas that contain anti-inflammatory and antihistamine herbs, such as chamomile, ginger, mint, or nettle.

Make a cup of hot herbal tea (preferably noncaffeinated) and inhale the steam before drinking. Sore throats often accompany runny noses — drinking hot herbal tea can help soothe a sore throat, too.

3. Humidifier

According to a 2019 study, inhaling warm steam from a humidifier significantly improves mucus buildup caused by allergic rhinitis.

Similarly, a 2015 study of people with the common cold found that using steam inhalation was quite effective. It reduced illness recovery time by about 1 week compared to no steam inhalation at all.

Humidifiers work by transforming water into vapor to moisten otherwise dry air. When you breathe in moisture, it helps to thin and dislodge mucus and soothe irritated sinuses.

If you decide to use a humidifier, it's important to clean it regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. Otherwise, it can become a breeding ground for microorganisms such as mold and bacteria, which can exacerbate sinus problems.

4. Facial steam

Much like a humidifier or a hot cup of tea, a facial steam can help loosen mucus and relieve your runny nose. Here's how to do it:

Heat water in a clean pot on your stove, just enough so that steam is created — DON'T let it reach a boil.

Place your face about 8 to 12 inches above the steam for about 5 minutes at a time. Don't let your face touch the water. Close your eyes and take deep breaths through your nose. Take breaks if your face gets too hot.

Blow your nose afterward to get rid of mucus.

Repeat the process 2 or 3 times a day if you still have symptoms.

If desired, add a few drops of decongestant essential oils to your facial steam water. About 2 drops per ounce of water is sufficient.

Eucalyptus, peppermint, pine, rosemary, sage, spearmint, tea tree (melaleuca), and thyme essential oils are great options. Compounds in these plants (like menthol and thymol) are also found in many over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants.

If you don't have these essential oils, you can use these herbs in dried form instead. Make your facial steam into an herbal tea and inhale the vapors — you'll get the same benefits.

5. Hot shower

Need some quick relief? Try a hot shower. Just like humidifiers and facial steam, a shower's hot vapors can help alleviate a runny and stuffy nose.

Place your face and sinuses directly in the steam and spray of the shower for best results.

6. Neti pot

Using a neti pot for nasal irrigation (also called nasal lavage) is a common approach to sinus issues. This includes runny nose problems and discomfort.

Neti pots are small teapot-like containers with a spout. You add a warm saline or saltwater solution to the pot and then pour the solution through one nostril and out the other. This rinses out your sinuses quite thoroughly.

You can purchase a neti pot kit at your local pharmacy, store, or online. Make sure to follow directions for your neti pot exactly. Improper use of neti pots can, on rare occasions, make runny noses worse or cause sinus infections.

Make sure to use sterile and distilled water rather than tap water.

7. Nasal spray

Nasal sprays are a common OTC treatment for a runny nose. While medicated nasal sprays are available, saline nasal sprays are a natural treatment to help rinse the nose.

Much like nasal irrigation, they target nasal congestion and mucus using gentle salt water.

According to a 2021 study of people with upper respiratory infections, the use of a saline nasal spray improved symptoms including a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sleep quality.

You can purchase a saline nasal spray at a neighborhood pharmacy or online.

8. Warm compress

Applying a warm compress or washcloth to your forehead and nose several times per day may help improve your runny nose and soothe sinus pressure.

A warm compress works by boosting blood circulation in your sinus area. A washcloth or wet compress can help break up nasal stuffiness by adding moisture to the air you breathe.

To make your own warm compress at home, soak a clean cloth in hot (not boiling) tap water and place it across your forehead and nose for 15 to 20 minutes. Reapply as needed.

9. Eating spicy foods

Spicy foods can make a runny nose worse. However, if you're also having symptoms of nasal congestion, eating spicy foods may help.

If you can tolerate a bit of heat in your food, give it a try. If you're unaccustomed to spiciness, try a small amount of spicy seasoning at first to see if it helps.

Hot spices like cayenne pepper, ghost pepper, habanero, wasabi, horseradish, or ginger are great options. These spices, while also creating a feeling of heat when eaten, dilate passageways in the body and can relieve sinus issues.

10. Capsaicin

Capsaicin is the chemical that makes chili peppers spicy. It's been used to treat nerve pain and psoriasis, but if you apply it on your nose, it can help with a runny nose caused by congestion.

Several studies have found that capsaicin is more effective at treating runny noses than the OTC medication budesonide.

How do I stop a runny nose fast?

The only way to stop a runny nose fast is to blow your nose, as this will temporarily remove mucus from the nasal passage. If your runny nose is due to an allergy, antihistamine tablets may also help.

What dries up a runny nose?

The only way to make a runny nose go away is by treating the underlying cause. For example, if an allergy is causing your runny nose, then taking antihistamines may help. If it's due to a cold or flu, you'll have to wait until the infection runs its course.

Is it better to let a runny nose run?

A runny nose is a sign of your body trying to flush out harmful substances. Blowing your nose may provide symptom relief and help clear your nostrils. That said, it won't speed up your recovery. Blowing your nose too much may even increase inflammation and cause nose bleeding in your nasal passageways.

Why is my nose running like water?

A runny nose that is very watery may be due to an allergy, eating spicy food, or being out in cold weather. Viral and bacterial infections are more likely to produce thicker mucus, but they may be thin as well.

How long do runny noses last?

This will depend on the cause. If it stems from an allergy, the symptoms should improve when you move away from the allergen. A cold usually clears up in 7–10 days. If symptoms last more than 10 days, you may have sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses. In this case, it may be a good idea to see a doctor.

Here's Why You Get A Runny Nose When You're Eating

Why Does My Nose Run When I Eat?Ljubaphoto - Getty Images

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When you have allergies or a cold, a runny nose can be a nuisance. Some of us, however, may get a runny nose every time we enjoy a meal. While keeping a box of tissues with you at the dining table isn't hurting you in any way, having a drippy nose every time you put food in your mouth can make you wonder: why does my nose run when I eat?

Meet the Experts: Meha Fox, M.D., assistant professor in the department of otolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine; David A. Gudis, M.D., chief of rhinology and anterior skull base surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center; Benjamin Tweel, M.D., medical director for the department of otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Health System; Michael Yong, M.D., board-certified otolaryngologist and fellowship-trained neurorhinologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute.

A runny nose is something that happens to everyone once in a while. But for people who get a runny nose every time they eat, here's what doctors say you should know about the common condition. Plus, how to treat it if your runny nose is disrupting your daily life.

Why does my nose run when I eat?

A runny nose typically represents a form of rhinitis, which refers to inflammation or irritation of the nasal cavity, says David A. Gudis, M.D., chief of rhinology and anterior skull base surgery at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. "Everybody has experienced some form of rhinitis before, such as when a common cold causes a runny nose or nasal congestion. But some people suffer from other forms of rhinitis, and these symptoms can be frequent or long-lasting," he explains.

Rhinitis is broadly categorized into either allergic or nonallergic rhinitis, and there are many types of nonallergic rhinitis—and some people may even have more than one type, says Dr. Gudis. For example, it is possible to have both gustatory and vasomotor rhinitis if the nerves in your nose are triggered by eating and temperature changes.

Allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is inflammation in the nasal cavity that occurs in response to various allergens, says Dr. Gudis. The most common allergens to trigger allergic rhinitis are seasonal allergens, such as grasses and tree pollen, and perennial allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and pet dander, says Meha Fox, M.D., assistant professor in the department of otolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine. "Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose and eyes," she notes.

Nonallergic rhinitis

Non-allergic rhinitis, on the other hand, is any rhinitis not caused by allergens, says Dr. Fox. Nonallergic rhinitis can include many different types, and is generally characterized by nasal discharge and sometimes also nasal congestion, says Dr. Gudis.

Non allergic rhinitis is a broad term encompassing gustatory rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, drug-induced rhinitis, and other "idiopathic" (unknown cause) forms of rhinitis, says Benjamin Tweel, M.D., medical director for the department of otolaryngology at Mount Sinai Health System. "As far as why individual people develop any of these, it is largely unknown."

Gustatory rhinitis

If your nose runs when you eat, you may have a type of nonallergic rhinitis called gustatory rhinitis, says Dr. Gudis. "Gustatory rhinitis is more common in older people and is characterized by clear watery nasal discharge with eating or just before eating," he explains. It is not associated with congestion, itching, sneezing, or other nasal symptoms, he adds.

When we eat, our bodies are cued to produce saliva, says Dr. Tweel. "In some people, this process changes so that instead of just triggering saliva production they are also triggered to produce nasal mucus." Having a runny nose when eating spicy foods is very common, but the reason for this is unknown, Dr. Tweel notes.

Vasomotor rhinitis

Gustatory rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis have similar symptoms of clear watery nasal discharge without congestion, sneezing, or itching, but they have different triggers, says Dr. Gudis. "While gustatory rhinitis occurs from eating, vasomotor rhinitis can be triggered by various different causes including changes in temperature, humidity, and air pressure." So if you've ever had a runny nose after being outside in the cold, now you know why!

This problem becomes more common as people get older, says Dr. Tweel.

How to get diagnosed

Many people will be able to self-diagnose to some degree, says Dr. Tweel. "For instance someone who gets rhinitis symptoms while near cats, and responds well to an over the counter antihistamine or allergy pill or allergy nasal spray can reasonably deduce that they have allergic rhinitis. Likewise, someone who gets a runny nose with every meal most likely has gustatory rhinitis," he explains.

But, because rhinitis symptoms can overlap with other conditions, such as chronic sinusitis or nasal polyps, formal diagnosis is best made by a physician, says Dr. Tweel. "In some cases, symptoms of rhinitis can be more pronounced because they are occurring on top of existing symptoms from an underlying condition such as chronic sinusitis."

Dr. Gudis agrees that the best way to get diagnosed is to see an Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialist. "The description of your symptoms and your triggers, in addition to the appearance of the inside of your nose (often visualized with a tiny scope), can help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms, the type of rhinitis, and the possible treatment options," he explains.

For allergic rhinitis, you can get tested for the most common allergens in your area to discover your allergy triggers, says Dr. Fox, "but remember that you only get information about the most common allergens or what the test includes." It is possible to have symptoms of allergic rhinitis with a normal test as well, she notes.

How to treat a runny nose when you eat

The good news is that rhinitis is very unlikely to represent a dangerous condition, says Dr. Gudis. "Therefore, if your symptoms are limited to a runny nose while you eat, no treatment is necessary unless it is really bothering you."

As with most medical conditions, there are an array of treatment options for different kinds of rhinitis, and your own treatment plan will likely depend on your associated symptoms and how much your symptoms are affecting your quality of life.

Per Michael Yong, M.D., board-certified otolaryngologist and fellowship-trained neurorhinologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, it's best to start to treat the condition with topical medications, like sprays and rinses. "This is because these are very safe options as they have very little, if any, systemic absorption, so they don't have the side effects of oral medications and can be directly applied to the problem area," he explains.

The mainstay of treatment for gustatory rhinitis is a nasal spray called ipratropium, which is generally very effective in preventing runny nose, says Dr. Tweel. "Some people will use this spray before going out to a restaurant, for instance." Ipratropium is available with a prescription, and is generally safe although it does have some contraindications, including some types of glaucoma, he notes. For some people antihistamine pills or nasal sprays can help if they have baseline allergies, says Dr. Tweel, "but this is usually not as effective."

More recently, some procedures have been developed to freeze or ablate the nasal nerve which causes the nose to run, says Dr. Tweel. One of these procedures, known as RhinAer, uses temperature-controlled, radiofrequency technology to directly interrupt nerve signals and help reduce chronic rhinitis symptoms, explains Dr. Fox. "The procedure can be performed with a local anesthetic during an office visit, with no incisions, minimal downtime, and little discomfort."

Multiple clinical studies show sustained symptom improvement of at least 2 years, Dr. Fox notes. Dr. Yong says that about 80% of people see lasting improvement following the procedure, "so it can be helpful for the right person."

But again, Dr. Gudis reminds that if you'd rather just keep an extra tissue around than consider these treatments, "that's fine too!"

When to see a doctor for a runny nose when you eat

If the runny nose only happens with meals, it is unlikely to be a sign of something concerning, says Dr. Tweel, "but if the symptom is bothersome or persistent, you should ask your doctor."

If the runny nose is thick or discolored, then it is more likely to be acute or chronic sinusitis, says Dr. Tweel, which is treated differently. "Rhinitis (allergic, non-allergic, gustatory, or vasomotor) tends to be clear."

If you do have any chronic congestion, loss of smell, difficulty breathing through the nose, discolored or thick discharge or blood, there may be something related or unrelated that is causing the symptoms and you should get checked out by your primary care physician or an ENT, says Dr. Yong.

Additionally, if you have a persistent watery runny nose from one side of your nose, especially faucet-like drainage, this could be a sign of a spinal fluid leak and you should seek medical care right away, says Dr. Tweel. "That is very rare, but important to identify."

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