Runny Nose and Sneezing

Runny nose is the excess drainage of clear to thick fluid, which can also be yellow-green, from nasal and adjacent tissues in the nose (Mayo Clinic: Runny nose definition 2023).

Sneezing is the sudden, forceful, uncontrolled burst of air through the nose and mouth, caused by irritation to the mucus membranes of the nose or throat (Medline. Sneeze 2023).

A runny nose is also sometimes called rhinorrhea or rhinitis (Mayo Clinic: Runny nose definition 2023) but they are not the same thing. Rhinorrhea has been defined as a thin, mostly clear fluid running from the nose, while rhinitis also constitutes irritation and swelling inside the nose (Mayo Clinic: Runny nose definition 2023).

There are 2 types of rhinitis – allergic and non-allergic. Allergic rhinitis is also called hay fever (Mayo Clinic: Allergic rhinitis 2023), while non-allergic rhinitis is sneezing or a stuffy, drippy nose (Mayo Clinic: Non-allergic rhinitis. 2023).

Runny Nose and Sneezing & CMPA

What causes runny nose and sneezing in infants?

Runny nose, sneezing and rhinitis in infants have many potential causes, it could be related to an infection, such as the common cold or flu, or to allergies, such as hay fever, dust-mite allergy (Mayo Clinic: Runny nose definition 2023;Medline. Sneeze 2023) or CMPA (Caffarelli et al 2010).

Could it be a symptom of Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy?

Rhinitis symptoms (including runny nose and sneezing) can also be due to Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) and usually manifest quite rapidly following ingestion of milk proteins (Caffarelli et al 2010).

However, when considering the diagnosis of CMPA, it’s important to consider that the majority of infants with CMPA have at least two symptoms affecting at least two different organ systems (Lifschitz C. and Szajewska H 2015; Høst & Halken 1990; Høst et al 1994).

Therefore, it is important to consider the individual child as well as the magnitude of their symptoms. This can be achieved using an awareness tool such as the Cow’s Milk Related Symptom Score (CoMiSS®) which will help you determine if CMPA might be indicated (Vandenplas et al 2015;Vandenplas et al 2022).