Nasal congestion, also called stuffy nose, is a feeling of fullness in the nose or face. There also might be fluid running or dripping out of the nose or down the back of the throat.

Nasal congestion is often called rhinorrhea or rhinitis. But the terms are different. Rhinorrhea involves a thin, mostly clear fluid running from the nose. Rhinitis involves irritation and swelling inside the nose.

Rhinitis is the usual cause of nasal congestion.

Causes

Anything that irritates the inside of the nose can cause a stuffy nose. Infections — such as colds, flu or sinusitis — and allergies often cause stuffy and runny noses. Irritants in the air, such as tobacco smoke, perfume, dust and car exhaust, also can cause these symptoms.

Some people have noses that are stuffy and run all the time without a known reason. This is called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis.

A polyp, an object such as a small toy stuck in the nose, or a tumor might cause the nose to run from only one side. Sometimes migraine-like headaches can cause a runny nose.

Possible causes of nasal congestion include:

Acute sinusitis
Alcohol
Allergies
Chronic sinusitis
Churg-Strauss syndrome
Dry or cold air
Common cold
Decongestant nasal spray overuse
Deviated septum
Enlarged adenoids
Food, especially spicy dishes
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Hormonal changes
Influenza (flu)
Medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, depression, seizures and other conditions
Nasal polyps
Nonallergic rhinitis
Object in the nose
Pregnancy
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Sleep apnea — a condition in which breathing stops and starts many times during sleep.
Thyroid disorders.
Tobacco smoke

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