Any advice for runny nose?

[LizzyMB]

Hi I am enjoying (?) doing my regular runs now but one thing that I really struggle with is a really runny nose. As soon as my body starts running so does my nose! I feel it impacts my breathing as quite difficult to blow your nose while running 🤣. I do feel “ blocked up” a lot in day to day life but just wondered if there were any tips for dealing with it? Thank you 😀

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

I take 3 sheets of kitchen towel roll, run really slow while I blow my nose, but maybe antihistamines might dry it up a bit? I think a lot of runners have this problem, and it's ok to slow to a walk for a quick blow, unless you are going for world speed records of course

[ChannelRunner2 Graduate]

Between allergies and a nose that loves to run whenever I move, including while eating, I know that problem all too well! I've found that my Buff scarf comes in really handy since I tend to forget my runny nose and don't bring hankies to my runs... Since the runny nose isn't from a cold, I am not too worried about using the buff, plus I wash it out after the run.

Well, and if my nose is stopped up, I just breathe through my mouth. Although it seems that all the nose breathing I've been doing has made that necessary less often...

[Bruch1 Graduate]

Same here! I just have to keep a hankie gripped in one hand and wipe as I go 😂

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

I’m allergic to most of nature so I’ve always got sturdy tissues with me. I take them in a sandwich bag so they don’t disintegrate in my pocket if I get sweaty. You’re not alone here!

[Katger Graduate]

I use a sterimar breathe easy saline nose spray before I go for my run. Helps flush it out a bit and loosen the muscus. Then take a pack of travel tissues with me.

[newbie-nick Graduate]

There is probably no cure for this, and little in the way of prevention, so I go go the combined approach of taking a cotton/linen handkerchief as opposed to tissues - it can be washed and don't fall apart in the rain. I also adopt a breath-in-through-my-nose-and-out-through-my-mouth style of breathing which counters the laws of physics!

If all else fails, and there is no-one else around, stop, bend forward, block one side of the snout and give a really good snort down it the other; then repeat for the otherwise. It keeps it clear for a little while, but it is most unladylike or ungentlemanly and best avoided in company. Even my dog would grumble!

[LizzyMB Graduate]

Thanks everyone. I’ll maybe have a look at the nasal spray - seems to be a common problem then . At least my tubes feel clearer afterwards 😂

[Wavy-chick28 Graduate]

Thought this was just me!! I stop and have a good blow when crossing roads it’s the only way

[Northernyokel]

I think the medical diagnosis will be non-allergic rhinitis. Combined with asthma over years I’ve pretty much stabilised myself. A practice nurse at my GP showed me an nhs protocol for nasal flushing twice a day. Doesn’t cure it but makes it manageable day to day.