a woman with a pile of used tissues

“Rhinitis” simply means having a runny nose.

“Post nasal drip” is when it runs down the back of your nose into your throat, instead of out the front of your nose, causing you to have to clear your throat frequently.

Causes

If the runny nose has been present for only a few days, it is generally an infection (like a cold virus). When it lasts over a month, and often from childhood on, there are several key causes:

  • Allergies

    This is usually associated with sneezing and clear or white nasal mucus. If it usually recurs for the same few months each year, this also suggests grass or pollen allergies (e.g., grass pollen in spring and ragweed pollen, called “hay fever,” in autumn).  If it is year round, allergies to cats and dogs, dust, or molds are common triggers.

    Children will also often have what is called the “allergic salute,” where they often rub the bottom of their nose with their fingers.  They may also have "allergic shiners," which are dark circles under the eyes that resemble mild bruises from a black eye.

  • Chronic Yeast / Candida Overgrowth

    Doctors ignore the research on this and continue to make believe there is no such thing, treating sinusitis with antibiotics—which, of course, worsens the yeast overgrowth in the sinuses and makes the sinusitis become chronic (persistent).

    Candida is also a very common cause of post nasal drip.

  • Vasomotor rhinitis

    This is an autonomic disorder (not dangerous, but a nuisance), where cold feet hitting the floor in the morning (or later in the day) can trigger a runny nose — so keep a pair of slippers by your bedside. Smells, smoke and other triggers are also common. Gustatory rhinitis is when this is triggered after eating (especially spicy foods).

  • Rhinitis medicamentosa

    This is caused by the chronic use of over-the-counter decongestant nose sprays. As they wear off, they cause “rebound swelling.”

Treatment

Review information on sinusitis as the potential cause. Treating Candida can not only get rid of the runny nose, but may clear many other symptoms as well.

  • For allergic rhinitis, consider a special acupressure technique called "NAET."
  • For dust allergies, your allergist can give a very helpful treatment for your carpets which will kill the dust mites (which cause the allergy), and plastic covers for your pillows and mattresses can trap the dust.
  • For vasomotor and gustatory rhinitis, the prescription nose spray Ipratropium (Atrovent) can be very helpful and is low in side effects (but may aggravate glaucoma or slow urination).
  • Recommended Supplements

    • MSM

      The supplement MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) 3,000-10,000+ mg a day often settles down many allergies after 2-6 weeks of use (at which time the dose can often be lowered).

  • Other Therapies & Advice

    • Sinusitis Nose Spray

      I recommend the holistic “Sinusitis Nose Spray” by prescription (from ITC Pharmacy at 888-349-5453). After 1 week, it will often settle down allergic rhinitis or rhinitis from over-the-counter nasal sprays. It is wonderful for most chronic sinusitis, especially when combined with other Candida treatments.

    • Allergy Testing

      Allergy skin testing and shots can also help with persistent and severe allergic rhinitis (I would do NAET first — much simpler and less expensive). Over-the-counter antihistamines like Claritin during the day (not sedating) or Benadryl at night (sedating) are also OK.

More Information Online

Contributor

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, is one of the most frequently quoted long COVID, fibromyalgia, energy, and pain medical authorities in the world.

He is the author of 12 books, including the bestselling From Fatigued to Fantastic and the popular free Smart Phone app Cures A-Z. He is the lead author of eight studies on effective treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dr. Teitelbaum appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and FoxNewsHealth.