# What causes a runny nose?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-runny-nose/51867>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 26, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-runny-nose/51867 "2001-01-26T15:32:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2001, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-runny-nose/51867/1 "2001-01-26T15:32:30Z")

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I don’t mean one caused by a rhinoviral siege, but by cold weather. I can go outside when it’s cold, and I start getting sniffles. My ideas: either drainage from excessive eye watering or irritation of the mucous membranes by the cold air.

What’s the truth?

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**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2001, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-a-runny-nose/51867/2 "2001-01-26T15:48:54Z")

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Cold air troubles your nasal pasages. Your body attempts to compensate by pumping heat to the area via the most efficients route- the bloodstream. That’s why our faces get rosy, either that or we have been drinking too much.

The increase in blood flow to the nasal cavity area results in a general increase in the production of secretions.

Howzat?