Runny Nose in Children and Adults: When Should I Worry?

Have you wondered why your nose keeps running and leaking mucus from one or both sides of your nose in Singapore? This commonly happens in both adults and children in Singapore but it isn’t normal. The nose is a fantastic but highly sensitive sensory organ which is capable of reacting to different changes around you e.g. temperature and humidity. So when is it time to have your nose checked out by one of the best ENT specialists in Singapore? Read on below to find out when you should worry….

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Firstly, IF YOUR NASAL DISCHARGE TENDS TO COME FROM ONE SIDE OF YOUR NOSE only, then you should be worried. Unilateral or one-sided nasal discharge may happen because there may be growths like polyps hiding inside one nasal passage. Rarely, one-sided nasal discharge may be related to a tumour from the nasal passage or sinuses. A few other patients, especially if they have had some sort of head trauma, may be leaking brain fluid (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) from the roof of the nose and down one nasal passage. In a child with a unilateral runny nose, as top ENT specialists in Singapore, we always worry that there is a foreign body hidden up inside the child’s nose, e.g. a toy, bead or marble. This tends to occur around the ages 2-4, when many children are very curious about their surroundings and may stick objects up their nose, often without their parents even noticing this. The foreign body then causes the nasal lining to secrete more and more mucus, with a risk of it becoming infected. Some parents may finally decide to bring their child in to see us at our ENT Clinics at Gleneagles Hospital and Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospitals in Singapore, after noticing a foul smelly odour coming from inside their child’s nose and/or a thick mucus which keeps leaking from their nose. A unilateral runny nose in a child is a trapped foreign body, until proven otherwise.

Next, IF YOUR NASAL DISCHARGE CONTAINS BLOOD STAINS, it would be a very good idea to have your nose properly examined by a top ENT specialist in Singapore. In the Chinese population, especially in those of Cantonese origin, there is a higher incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer (nose cancer or NPC), so it is important to have the back of the nose carefully examined with an endoscope, in case a biopsy is needed. Other risk factors for NPC or nose cancer, include high dietary intake of salted fish (ham yu), family history of NPC, smoking, alcohol, male gender and previous Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) infection. Bloodstained nasal discharge may just be related to having a severe sinus infection of course but NPC should always be ruled out first and foremost. Other types of sinus cancers such as adenocarcinomas, may also give rise to bloodstained nasal secretions, and these have been more commonly found in workers from the woodwork industry.

Thirdly, IF YOUR NASAL DISCHARGE IS THICK, SMELLY OR PURULENT, then this may mean an infection brewing deep inside your nose and sinuses. Sometimes, the very origin of the sinus infection may come from your teeth as a source because the root of some molar teeth may extend upwards through the upper gums to sit in the floor of the nasal sinuses. This means that bacteria from your teeth and mouth may easily track up into your sinuses to cause a sinus infection or sinusitis. A CT scan of your sinuses will usually be able to detect whether there is a dental source of your sinus infection. A course of strong antibiotics with nasal medications is usually indicated to clear the sinus infection, although sometimes, if things don’t improve, surgery to drain and washout the trapped infected pus and fluid inside your sinuses may have to be performed. Your dentist may also have to thoroughly check your gums and teeth for any underlying disease or infection.

Finally, if your runny nose is also associated with other symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, facial pressure and blocked nose, then you may be suffering from uncontrolled nasal allergy (allergic rhinitis). This can be managed well with some medications to help you feel better quickly, rather than to keep suffering the effects of severe allergic rhinitis which often may affect your sleep and ability to work. Severe nasal allergy problems may also be a risk factor for going on to develop a sinus infection, if not properly treated.

So now you understand when to worry about your runny nose: Your nose, sinus and allergy problems may not be as simple as you think! Please see your top ENT specialist in Singapore if you suffer these symptoms.

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