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It sounds like the setup to a really corny joke: Every time I run, my nose runs, too! (You'd better go catch it, etc.) But it's a real nuisance for runny-nosed runners -- including TODAY's own Kathie Lee Gifford, who wondered aloud on Wednesday's broadcast why jogging left her congested and miserable. (You can watch that video here -- it's at 1:45.) So what's going on?
It's called exercise-induced rhinitis, and it's a lot like allergic rhinitis -- also called hay fever or nasal allergies. For the unlucky people with EIR, as it's called, a good workout triggers allergy symptoms: congestion, sneezing, runny nose, itchiness, general misery.
Just like regular allergies, exercise-induced rhinitis is common among both "real" and recreational athletes -- whether they have an underlying nasal allergy or not (but it is more common in those who do have allergies), according to a 2006 report. And you're not imagining things: rhinitis symptoms are more common in the winter, the lead author of that study, Dr. William Silvers of the Allergy Asthma & Immunology Clinic of Colorado, said in an email. (Think of a skier's nose, he points out.) It's more common in people who exercise outdoors, but it can also happen indoors, Silvers says.
Between 10 percent and 20 percent of Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis, but, strangely, 40 percent of endurance athletes suffer from the condition. And while it's well-known that exercise can trigger asthma, hives and anaphylaxis (a life-threatening, whole-body allergic reaction -- that's right: in rare cases, exercise can and does kill), it's not well-understood what triggers the annoying allergy-like symptoms. But the latest theory medical research is narrowing in on is, perhaps unsurprisingly, pollution. In particular, nitrogen dioxide -- found in car exhaust -- has been the subject of a handful of recent studies involving allergies and athletes.
Of course, runners aren't the only ones who have respiratory problems triggered by physical exertion -- swimmers, divers, boxers, skiers and figure skaters get similar symptoms. Interestingly, exercise-induced asthma is disproportionately seen in Winter Olympic athletes, reported a 2010 New York Times blog post.
Exercise-induced rhinitis won't cause you any real harm -- it's more of a nuisance that, as Silvers phrases it,"snots up your nose and clothes!" But if you regularly work out and your nose is really bugging you, a nasal spray -- specifically, ipratroprium bromide nasal spray -- can help. If the irritation is in your lungs, Silvers recommends using an albuterol inhaler before exercise, and as needed after that.
Readers, do you ever experience allergy or asthma symptoms while working out? How bad is it, and how have you handled it? Here's one suggestion from a wise-guy Twitter follower of mine:
Search API will now always return "real" Twitter user IDs. The with_twitter_user_id parameter is no longer necessary. An era has ended. ^TS
— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November7, 2011
Related:
Running a marathon can break your butt
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I have the opposite experience. My nose runs and clears while running. I figure it is elevation in hystamin levels. Who knows.
What a stupid question. Your nose runs when you run because it's trying to keep up with the rest of your face, Duh!
You'd look kind of funny if your nose stayed behind!
Hee hee hee.
So that is why runners always looks like their in pain, their noses are trying to keep up! LOL
This has happened to me several times beginning in 1999. It especially happens when I have taken a few months off and am starting to get back in to shape. Once I'm in shape it seems to go away but during the worst of it it'll drive me crazy for 3 days and then finally go away and no matter what antihistamine I take nothing stops it. I have found that plugging my nostrils with tissue before my run helps the most because for me the they symptoms are usually confined to sneezing and runny nose so if I prevent the allergens for coming in contact with the lining of my nares I'm usually ok but there are times when even that doesn't work. Strange thing this EIR is and I hate it.
I do not have asthma or any other respiratory condition, but my nose only runs in Winter, when its cold outside and only then, when I come inside. This only happens sometimes. If I walk the dog or go for a jog, my nose will run briefly when I come back inside the house. The article does not fully investigate this...I think many people, that go between extreme cold then come inside have this...When exercising inside, this does not happen at all. So it seems temperature related, going from cold to warm. I don't know why, but its not for any "obvious medical condition" as I can breathe very well...its just a runny nose. Who knows ?
My nose runs every time I exercise. I know to take kleenexes with me any time I head out the door for a walk or a run. Luckily at exercise classes (kettlebells, etc...) they have tissues available. It never fails, I exercise, my nose runs. It was very interesting to hear about the itching, etc... as well. I get that too, but I just figured it had something to do with the blood pumping faster through my body. Anyway, at least I know I am not alone.
I just blow my snot out holding one side closed with my finger, then do the other side. I then use my t-shirt to clean up the rest that is stuck to my moustache. I then have a clear nose.
"SNOT ROCKETS AWAY"!
Thanks for sharing!
My thighs get red and super itchy when I exercise out in the cold... my nose runs maybe 50% of the time... now I know why!
I thought everyone's nose runs when they exercise outside in cold weather. Mine always has from the time I ran track in high school and college to present day when I'm skiing. I don't really consider it an allergic reaction. I just assumed it was a natural reaction to the increased flow of cold dry air where your body tries to keep nasal passages from drying out. Anyway, that's what sleeves are for. Blow out one nostril at a time, a quick wipe with a sleeve and keep running.
Here's my question: Why does my nose run and my feet smell?
wow....this is so amazing....for years, i have sporadically had a fairly severe allergy attack after a strenous workout running. because it was sporadic, I used to think it must be something in the air.
sometimes I'd kid that I must be allergic to working out....as it turns out....I AM! :)
The number of times it happens has dropped quite a bit the last 2-3 years, but still sometimes out of the blue...exhausted from a good run, the nose starts to itch and then it's off to the races for the next 24 hrs.
very interesting.
Most definitely...running and also when I dance, which drives me especially crazy...who wants to be blowing your nose while dancing, and holding hands with a partner? I do have allergies anyway so this explanation makes sense...glad to hear I'm not alone.
I am a cyclist, and I'm also infamous for having a nose that runs like a firehose. I swear, half or more of my exercise fluid loss is out my nose. My buddies know not to ride directly behind me, or risk being caught in the wake of my road nose blow. The ipratroprium bromide spray really helps to cut down the volume of output...when I remember to take it. Otherwise, my ride really blows!
If your nose runs and your feet smell then you're obviously built upside down!!
Thanks, I knew some one would have the answer. We don't need no stinking Health Experts!
My nose run while running indoors on a treadmill, so I don't buy the pollution theory.
Use a Neti Pot abouit one hour before the Race
Noooo, then you'll get that brain eating amoeba that was reported on here earlier in the week.
You guys! The comments on this story are cracking me up. Love all the cornball runny nose jokes!
So they're allergic to exercise? Where was this when I was in middle school gym class??
I am the king of the snot-rocket when running, I am sure the women I run with roll their eyes when they see me going off to the side to fire one off.
And I do use an inhaler now prior to running so I don't rasp and wheeze during a run, needed more in winter when it is 5-10 below freezing.
I thought it was a natural reaction for your nose to run when jogging? Usually mine will run a little when I first start up and then it goes away. But from reading these comments maybe there is some truth to this being an allergy. Learn something new everyday:)
When running or riding my bike, I carry tissues. Simple solution to a simple problem.
STUPID nose running is for feet and legs only!
I'm glad I'm not alone here! I always judge the intensity of my run on how runny my nose is afterwards. I never considered it an allergy reaction though. My best guess was that it was just due to the vasodilation of the blood vessels in my nose. When your heart beats faster your blood vessels dilate more which is why your face may turn bright red (as it does in my case), so I just thought the same happened with my nose. A nasal spray for allergies or a cold constricts those blood vessels to make your nose run less, so when your blood vessels dilate your nose runs more. Hmm, maybe I should try a nasal spray before my next run then...
Do you get the benefits of exercise if you let your nose run while you stay home and watch TV while eating chips?
I think it has to do with what time of day you make your runs....do you jog in the cool mornings or in the early evenings....the article points out mostly winter, water, or other sports in basically cold weather conditions...like a dog's nose that gets moist and wet more often during those times or in those weather conditions. But even on hot dry day's its just a normal response for the nasal passages to produce more mucus as the body tends to have its own dew poin, or a sweat (sweat from excercise) point where more mucus is produced. Its almost a no brainer, even if you just go outside to sit or take a walk on a cold winter morning or evening your gonna get a runny nose, which is when most people do their jogging. Even in a dry sauna and extreme heat you can notice your sinuses trying to produce or loosen mucous in your throat glands and lungs for which I always have some paper towels handy...but in a dry sauna it usually dries out before it starts running, but add some steam and you start blowing your nose. For steam sauna's I like to empty the steam tank until your skin is melting, at that temperature it actually awakens you out of the groginess.
It's the cold weather that gets my nose running. I exercise basically everyday incidentally. I always assumed it was the body's way of keeping the nasal passage warm during below 32 degree outings.
Only happens when I run in 30 degree weather