# OK-how do I reduce or eliminate nasal drip when exerting myself? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 8, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108 "2026-04-08T00:06:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108/1 "2026-04-08T00:06:31Z")
[In a recent poll of mine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-only-no-discussion/953642/6645) I was about the only person to choose “Like an unending torrent!” in response to how much one’s nose runs in the cold. If I am shoveling snow after awhile it gets all encrusted and such if I don’t periodically wipe it. During workouts I need to blow my nose every other minute. Hell just sitting around at home normally will induce a slow but steady drip and I’ll go through a box of tissues in a week or so. I guess it does get a bit better during the warmer months note. So I am guessing this is NOT normal. I’d say it was allergies but it really hasn’t gotten worse with the arrival of spring. Any physicians or other informed types like to chime in? [Yes I know about the usual disclaimer here] ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108/2 "2026-04-08T03:00:46Z")
I am not a medical professional, nor do I even play one on TV. The usual web search indicates a _common_ cause of such would be excessive drying of the nasal passages as a possibility, which might _also_ explain why you often have a steady drip at home. Despite my near-total ignorance, I figured I’d mention this as something you could easily/cheaply test for yourself with a small humidifier, or at least rule out (if your local climate is super humid anyway!) for an actual informed type to chime in. But given the sheer volume you’re implying, I really would suspect (much like you) an underlying chronic condition that the dryness is just aggravating. Not a professional, just my $0.02 and worth far less than that! ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108/3 "2026-04-08T06:24:58Z")
IANAD, but … my guess? > **[Vasomotor Rhinitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17950-nonallergic-rhinitis)** > > Vasomotor (nonallergic) rhinitis is inflammation of nasal tissues that results in sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose or postnasal drip. ---
**Author:** ![Mongoose3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3e96dc/32.png) [@Mongoose3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mongoose3)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108/4 "2026-04-08T08:34:34Z")
Give nasal irrigation a try? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108/5 "2026-04-08T21:25:24Z")
Yes it is generally considered a form of vasomotor rhinitis. If it is really really really bothersome there is a prescription nasal spray - ipratopium - that helps. Otherwise breathing through a scarf to warm the air can help a little … but then the scarf gets drenched with the runny nose effluent … ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108/6 "2026-04-08T21:37:05Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > ipratopium Google says that that’s an asthma drug that works on the lungs. Did you mean something else? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108/7 "2026-04-08T22:17:28Z")
Nope. There is a nasal version as well. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2026, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-how-do-i-reduce-or-eliminate-nasal-drip-when-exerting-myself/1029108/8 "2026-04-08T22:52:39Z")
Thanks. I happen to have my annual physical in a few days and I’m going to ask for it.