Why does rhinitis cause runny nose?
Recently, health topics related to rhinitis have been very popular on social media and search engines, especially during the change of seasons. Many netizens have shown strong interest in the question "Why does rhinitis cause a runny nose?" This article will combine the popular discussions and medical knowledge on the Internet in the past 10 days, structurally analyze the relationship between rhinitis and runny nose, and provide practical response suggestions.
1. The core causes of rhinitis and runny nose

The essence of runny nose in patients with rhinitis is the defensive response of the nasal mucosa to stimulation. When inflammation is triggered by allergens, viruses, or cold air, the body attempts to flush out the harmful substances by secreting large amounts of mucus. The following is a comparison of the types of rhinitis and the characteristics of runny nose that netizens are most concerned about recently:
| Rhinitis type | Characteristics of nasal discharge | High incidence period | Hot search index (last 10 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| allergic rhinitis | Clear water sample, large amount | Spring/Autumn | ★★★★★ |
| cold rhinitis | Thick, yellow-green | Seasonal change | ★★★☆☆ |
| Vasomotor rhinitis | Aggravated by cold | Winter/air-conditioned room | ★★☆☆☆ |
2. Topics related to rhinitis that are hotly discussed on the Internet
According to data from the public opinion monitoring platform, the three hot topics related to rhinitis in the past 10 days are:
| Ranking | Topic content | amount of discussion | associated symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Self-help guide for rhinitis during pollen season | 285,000+ | Runny nose + itchy eyes |
| 2 | Can a long-term runny nose damage the brain? | 152,000+ | Nasal congestion + headache |
| 3 | Evaluation and comparison of internet celebrity neti washers | 98,000+ | Rhinorrhoea |
3. Interpretation of the color warning signs of nasal mucus
Recently, the "snot color health test" launched by medical accounts has caused widespread dissemination. Different colors of nasal discharge imply different pathological states:
| color | medical significance | Do you need medical attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent water sample | Early stages of allergies or viral infections | Observe for 3 days |
| milky | Swelling of mucous membranes causes | Intensify care |
| Yellow-green | Possible bacterial infection | It is recommended to see a doctor |
| pink | Nasal capillary rupture | Hemostasis Observation |
4. Evaluation of recently popular mitigation solutions
Combining e-commerce platform sales data and social platform sharing content, we compiled a comparison of the effects of the three most popular runny nose relief solutions:
| method | principle | Effective speed | persistence |
|---|---|---|---|
| saline rinse | Physically remove allergens | immediately | 4-6 hours |
| antihistamines | Block allergic reactions | 30 minutes | 12-24 hours |
| steam inhalation | dilute nasal secretions | 15 minutes | 2-3 hours |
5. Special reminder from professional doctors
In response to the "home remedies to stop nasal discharge" that have been circulating on the Internet recently, Director Wang from the Department of Otolaryngology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital issued a warning on the short video platform:"If a runny nose persists for more than 2 weeks, or is accompanied by fever or facial pain, the possibility of sinusitis needs to be ruled out.". It is particularly important to note that the recent abnormal climate has led to an increase in the concentration of mold spores, and the number of mold allergy cases admitted to hospitals in many southern provinces and cities has increased by 40% year-on-year.
It can be seen from the analysis that the public’s perception of rhinitis is shifting from “simple discomfort” to “systematic health management”. Only by correctly understanding the physiological mechanism of runny nose and choosing a response plan based on individual differences can we effectively improve the quality of life. Rhinitis patients are recommended to regularly use mobile apps to record changes in symptoms, which has become a new trend in allergic disease management in 2024.
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