--- title: "Runny nose: What It Means & When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "A runny nose is usually caused by a cold, hay fever or sinusitis and clears on its own. See a GP if it lasts over three weeks, is one-sided or has blood…" url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/runny-nose/ robots: noindex --- # Runny nose: What It Means & When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms A runny nose is usually caused by a cold, hay fever or sinusitis and clears on its own. See a GP if it lasts over three weeks, is one-sided or has blood in it. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could runny nose mean? A runny nose is excess mucus draining from the nose, most often caused by a viral cold or hay fever. It usually clears up on its own with rest, fluids and saline rinses. See a GP if the discharge lasts more than three weeks, affects one side only, or contains blood. General UK health information, not a diagnosis. In an emergency call 999 ; for urgent advice use [NHS 111](https://111.nhs.uk/) (GP out-of-hours in Northern Ireland). On this page 4 sections ## Common causes of runny nose - Most runny noses are caused by viral colds and clear up on their own. - Hay fever typically causes a watery, runny nose with sneezing. - Green mucus does not always mean a bacterial infection needing antibiotics. - Saline nasal rinses can help clear mucus and ease congestion. - A persistent one-sided discharge should always be checked by a GP. ## Why your nose runs A runny nose happens when the lining of the nose produces extra mucus to clear away irritants or infection. Most cases are caused by a viral infection or an allergy, and they settle on their own without any special treatment. ## Common causes of a runny nose The most common cause of a runny nose is a viral **cold**, which is self-limiting and clears up by itself. **[Hay fever](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/hay-fever/)** is another frequent cause and typically produces a watery, runny nose with sneezing. **[Sinusitis](https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/sinusitis/)** can also make the nose run, and it often comes with facial pain and fever. Some people have **non-allergic rhinitis**, where the nose runs without an infection or allergy being responsible. ## How to relieve a runny nose at home Drinking plenty of fluids and getting some rest will help while a cold runs its course. A saline nasal rinse can clear mucus from the nose and ease congestion. If hay fever is the cause, allergy nasal sprays can help. They work best when started early in the hay fever season. ## When to see a GP about a runny nose See a GP if the discharge has lasted more than three weeks, comes from one side only, or contains blood, because chronic or atypical discharge needs assessment. If a runny or blocked nose comes with facial pain and [fever](https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/high-temperature/), the cause may be sinusitis, which a GP can diagnose and treat. ## ! When to get medical help for runny nose See a GP if a runny nose lasts more than three weeks, affects only one side, or the discharge contains blood. Call **111** for urgent advice when you are unsure what to do. ## Common questions about runny nose Does green mucus mean I need antibiotics? No, green mucus does not automatically mean you need antibiotics. Green mucus can occur during ordinary viral colds, and the colour of your mucus alone is not a reason to take antibiotics. What is the best treatment for a runny nose caused by hay fever? Antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays are the main treatments for hay fever. Steroid nasal sprays work best when you start them early in the hay fever season, before your symptoms build up. When is a runny nose a sign of something serious? A runny nose needs medical assessment if the discharge is blood-stained, or if it is persistent and comes from only one side of the nose. These features are unusual for a simple cold or allergy, so a GP should examine you. How can I help a baby with a runny nose? Saline drops can help loosen the mucus and make it easier for a baby to breathe through the nose. Seek medical help if your baby's breathing or feeding is affected. ## Sources - [NHS — Common Cold](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/common-cold) - [NHS — Hay Fever](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever) ## How we reviewed this page Medically reviewed by the [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) First published 28 June 2026 Medically reviewed 3 July 2026 Next review due 3 July 2029 or sooner if NHS or NICE guidance changes Written by HealthAnswers editorial team. Published by HealthAnswers (Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd). [How we review content](https://healthanswers.co.uk/about/how-we-review/) · [Report a problem with this page](mailto:corrections@healthanswers.co.uk?subject=Problem%20with%3A%20Runny%20nose&body=Page%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fhealthanswers.co.uk%2Fsymptoms%2Frunny-nose%2F%0A%0AWhat%20looks%20wrong%20or%20out%20of%20date%3A%0A)