Runny nose guide

Runny or stuffy nose all year, online

For adults 18 or older who have a runny nose, a stuffy nose, or mucus down the throat on most days for 3 months or more, in both sides of the nose, without itchy eyes or sneezing fits.

Start online

Start a $59 online review for Runny or stuffy nose all year.

Some people have a runny or stuffy nose, or mucus down the back of the throat, on most days of the year. It is often set off by cold air, strong smells, smoke, spicy food, or alcohol. It does not seem to be caused by allergy. Doctors call it non-allergic rhinitis. Nose sprays can help. The doctor reads your answers and sends a plan. Signs that need a look inside your nose, or a different visit, send you there before you pay.

If treatment is appropriate, your physician can send a non-controlled prescription to your pharmacy and provide portal instructions for the next step.

Start this visit See response times

Quick facts

You must be physically located in Virginia or West Virginia at the time of request.
Starts at $59
No insurance needed
No app download
Physician review around the clock
Non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
Response times apply 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

A runny nose on most days of the year
A stuffy nose in both sides of the nose
Mucus that drips down the back of the throat
Symptoms set off by cold air, strong smells, smoke, spicy food, or alcohol

May fit online care

Adults 18 and older
You are 18 or older
You have had these symptoms on most days for 3 months or more
You have them in both sides of the nose
You do not have itchy eyes, an itchy nose, or sneezing fits with the seasons, pets, dust, or mold
You do not know of an allergy that explains your symptoms

Look for another care setting

Trouble breathing, wheezing, chest pain or tightness, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, a tight throat, or trouble swallowing (call 911 or go to the ER now).
A drooping face, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, a severe headache, a stiff neck, confusion, or a fever with feeling very ill (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Swelling or redness around an eye, an eye that looks pushed forward, trouble moving an eye, double vision, worse vision, or swelling of the forehead or face (call 911 or go to the ER now).
A nosebleed that will not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of firm pressure (call 911 or go to the ER now).
A weak immune system with black or dark crusts in the nose, new pain, numbness, or swelling in the nose or face, or a fever (call 911 or go to the ER now).
Clear, watery fluid dripping from one side of the nose, most of all after a head injury or nose surgery (go to the ER today).
A weak immune system with none of those signs (see your own doctor in person).
Symptoms on only one side of the nose, blood in the mucus, many nosebleeds, crusts, a bad smell, or a lump you can see in the nose (see a doctor in person within 1 to 2 weeks).
A sense of smell or taste that is gone, weaker, or changed, pain or pressure in the face or thick colored mucus for more than 12 weeks, or a cough for more than 8 weeks (see a doctor in person).
Nose surgery or a nose injury lately, sores or a hole inside the nose, or snorting cocaine or other drugs (see a doctor in person).
Itchy eyes, an itchy nose, or sneezing fits with the seasons, pets, dust, or mold, or a known allergy that explains your symptoms (use our allergy visit).
Sinus symptoms that started less than 12 weeks ago and got better and then worse again, or have lasted 10 days or more without getting better (use our sinus infection visit).
A cold or the flu now, or sinus symptoms for less than 10 days that have not got better and then worse again (use our cold, flu, or sinus visit).
Using a decongestant nose spray like Afrin for more than 3 days in a row (use our visit for that).
Pregnancy, possible pregnancy, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding (see your pregnancy doctor, midwife, or own doctor).
Under 18 (see your own doctor).
A past allergic reaction to a nose spray, atropine, ipratropium, or azelastine, glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, or trouble passing urine (the doctor may choose a different spray).

What to have ready

How long you have had the symptoms, and what sets them off
Which nose sprays or pills you have tried, and for how long
Every medicine you take, including nose sprays
Any past allergic reaction to a nose spray, atropine, ipratropium, or azelastine

What happens next

Standard

$59

Within 6 hours

Priority

$99

Within 3 hours

Rush

$149

Within 1 hour

Start the request on the website, answer a few questions to check that this visit fits you, and choose how fast you want an answer (the response window). If your concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends you a secure update after you sign in. When appropriate, non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy, and a basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

Your physician

Every visit is personally reviewed by Ankur Fadia, MD. He is board-certified, has extra training in heart care (a cardiology fellowship), and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honor society. He is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia, and your care is never handed off to someone else.

About Ankur Fadia, MD Verify Virginia medical license Verify West Virginia medical license Verify board certification

How does the visit work?

The doctor reads your answers and sends a plan. You rinse your nose with salt water. Most people start with one spray every day. The doctor may choose a steroid nose spray from the store, or azelastine by prescription. If a runny nose is your main problem, the doctor may choose ipratropium by prescription. Give it a few weeks.

How do I make a safe salt-water rinse?

Make your rinse with distilled or sterile water. Or use tap water that you boiled for 1 minute and let cool. Never use plain tap water. Wash and dry your rinse bottle or pot each time.

What if one spray is not enough?

If one spray is not enough after 4 to 6 weeks, start a new visit here, and the doctor may add a second one. See a doctor in person if you are not better after 4 to 6 weeks on two sprays.

How do I use the sprays safely?

Tell us if you ever had an allergic reaction to a nose spray, atropine, ipratropium, or azelastine. Azelastine can make you sleepy and leave a bitter taste. Do not drive until you know how it affects you. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy with it. Ipratropium can make you dizzy or blur your vision. If this happens and your eye is not painful or red, stop it. Do not drive. Message us or see a doctor. Do not spray it in your eyes.

When do I stop a spray and get help?

Stop the spray and call 911 if you get hives, swelling of your lips, tongue, or face, or trouble breathing. Stop the ipratropium and go to the ER now if you have eye pain, halos around lights, or a red, painful eye, or if you cannot pee at all. Stop it and see a doctor today if you have trouble peeing. If your nose bleeds or gets very dry after you start a spray from this plan, stop that spray and message us.

When do I need care right away?

Call 911 or go to the ER now for trouble breathing, swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, a drooping face, a severe headache, or swelling or redness around an eye. Go to the ER today if clear, watery fluid drips from one side of your nose.

Other conditions we treat

Not quite what you have? Here are other conditions we treat.

Acute bronchitis Rebound congestion COVID-19 antiviral Flu exposure prevention Flu (influenza) antiviral Hoarse voice & laryngitis