Cold Weather Causing a Runny Nose?

It Isn't Allergies!

As the weather starts to turn cold and crisp around the country, people are packing their pockets with tissues to combat their runny noses. With outdoor time of year, noses tend to run, and run, and run. But this usually isn't due to allergies -- but caused by a form of non-allergic rhinitis called vasomotor rhinitis.

Vasomotor rhinitis may result in a runny nose, post-nasal drip and/or nasal congestion. It is caused by a number of triggers, including temperature changes, changes in weather and humidity, as well as strong odors, perfumes and smoke. Since vasomotor rhinitis doesn't get better with antihistamines, people with this syndrome tend to suffer. There are prescription medications available to treat vasomotor rhinitis -- nasal steroids, Astelin (a nasal antihistamine) and Atrovent Nasal (a nasal anti-cholinergic) can be of tremendous benefit.