rhinorrhea

Introduction

A discharge from the nasal mucosa.

Also see rhinitis.

Etiology

• common cold
• allergies, hay fever, allergic rhinitis
• vasomotor rhinitis, irritants (chlorine), cold air, exercise
• withdrawal from opioids, especially methadone
• purulent discharge suggests sinusitis
• CSF rhinorrhea

Complications

• postnasal drainage
• otitis interna
• sinusitis - purulent discharge suggests sinusitis

Management

• see specific etiology
• nasal antihistamine
• nasal ipratropium (vasomotor rhinitis)
• nasal glucocorticoid
• nasal saline (adjunctive therapy)

More general terms

• sign/symptom

More specific terms

• cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea

Additional terms

• rhinitis