Dear Fit,
Whenever I do any type of cardio, whether it be running, biking, or indoor tennis, my nose runs like a faucet. I always work out with some tissues stuffed in my sports bra strap! I don't have seasonal allergies. My nose just runs when I get my heart pumping. Why does this happen and is there anything I can do to prevent it?
—Runny Nosed Runner
How annoying for you! To hear what's causing your runny nose and what you can do about it, read more.
This is a pretty common condition called exercise-induced rhinitis. I know it sounds strange, but for some people, working out can trigger allergic reaction symptoms such as congestion, sinus pain, runny nose, headaches, itchy eyes, asthma, hives or other rashes, and in rare cases, even anaphylaxis. Exercise itself can be the sole trigger (especially vigorous exercise), but sometimes it's the combination of exercise plus another trigger such as pollen or cold weather that produces symptoms.
If the symptoms really bother you, it may help to see your doctor to get a prescription nasal spray. You'll have to take it for a week or so to start seeing results, and you'll have to keep taking it to keep your nose from running and ruining your workout. Or it may help to take an over-the-counter allergy medication such as Claritin or Zyrtec about an hour before exercising. If you'd rather not take medication, you'll just have to continue to keep tissues stashed in your sports bra.
Swildens
Ralph Lauren
PPQ
This happens to me but only when I'm running outside, even if I've taken allergy medication. I always have tissues tucked into my bra strap as well!
1I have exercise induced asthma and get a mild runny nose from running outside. I try to take two snorts of Flonase about 20 minutes before my run. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't.
2My nose runs too, but I have allergies and asthma. In the cold weather, it's especially worse. That's why I buy shirts with pockets, so I can stash tissues!
3I always get a runny nose when I run, but I don't think it's bad enough to really bother me or anything.
4I'm always sniffling when I come out of the gym!Good to know why. I also have asthma, which can be triggered by exercise so it's interesting to know there is a link.
5I do this too! I think its the most healthy decongestant there is
6This happens to me too. Nose runs, phlegm is produced, and eyes water like crazy sometimes too. I've noticed it happens a lot more in the morning (when I prefer to work out) than in the evening, and it happens whether I'm indoors or out. I've always just chalked it up to the fact that I am more stuffy in the morning when I wake up and warming my body up is just helping get rid of the stuffiness quicker.
I used to be self-conscious about it, but I've finally just learned to not worry so much about what others are thinking. I'm not sick, and I always clean up after myself (no tissues left laying around), so there's no harm. But, it's good to know that there might be another reason and that I can do something about it. I'll have to try the Claritin since I have some and see if it helps!
7As soon as I start running, my nose does too. I just put tissues in my sports bra strap.
8Weirdly enough, I had this problem my whole life and it suddenly disappeared about 3 months ago. My diet hasn't changed, I've not gone on or off medication. I have no idea.
I've always hated how it makes me look like I'm sick and that I don't care about infecting others with my noze drizzle!
9Any time I get hot (exercising, mowing the lawn, etc) my nose runs. When I work out, I either have to keep tissues in my bra strap or a box close to where I am working out. It's the most annoying thing in the world. Claritin and Zyrtec haven't helped a bit.
10ah, there's a name for it! this happens to me all the time. definitely worse in the mornings. eyes water, nose runs...the full water works.
i recently competed in dressage on my horse early in the morning, and my nose was running the whole time. it took every ounce of willpower to maintain my composition through the test and NOT wipe my nose. i'll definitely try an allergy med to see if it works.
11Oh it happens to me too!! My eyes water really heavily and my nose runs all the time...but I have no problem with it. Just don't forget some tissues on your run!!
12This happens to me too! But it's not so bad that I feel the need to go to a doctor. Mostly just slightly annoying.
13This happens occasionally to me! If I have some cold water and then run then it usually triggers it off. Weird. =)
14it happens to me when im walking/running outside
15i just had this experience last week when i started boxing. im not one with a lot of allergies, so never struck me as that might be it. i had no watery eyes, but my nose dripped like a faucet!
16This happens to me to... though using my Neti Pot every morning has helped a lot... I still drippy, but not nearly as much.
My trick - I wear a sweatband on each wrist and use them to wipe my nose. Sounds kinda gross, but tissues in my bra strap just get wet and nasty from sweating!
17I am one of those people who breaks out in hives or a rash when I exercise...I'm glad to know I'm not alone
18This occasionally happens to me.
19Happens to me too, whenever I do any kind of exercise or even when I eat hot meals. I have no allergies, asthma, etc. Its just very, very annoying, especially when snowboarding as I have to stop, take off gloves, unzip pockets etc every 2 minutes to blow my nose! Puts me off exercise completely. Has anyone found anything that helps?
20My nose runs terribly. It is one of the reasons I do NOT like to exercise in public. However, I just signed up for a sprint triathlon, and I am worried about how to handle it. It looks kinda gross to wipe my nose every few minutes. Tissues in my bra is an idea, but it would be such a pain to pull them out and put them back in all the time. The sweat-band sounds pretty good actually. Anyone have any other ideas?
21I have this problem in all kinds of exercise situations--maybe the most frustrating is while biking...it's either use my sleeve, slow down to manipulate tissue, or have it all over my face...I wish we could get some help!
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