Runny Nose

鼻水 (hanamizu)

A runny nose (rhinorrhea) is excessive discharge of mucus from the nose. It is most commonly caused by the common cold, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), or sinusitis. In Japan, spring cedar pollen season (February to April) triggers widespread allergic rhinitis, making runny nose one of the most common seasonal complaints. Over-the-counter antihistamines are widely available at pharmacies.

Antihistamines for hay fever are sold over the counter in Japanese pharmacies (薬局, yakkyoku); stronger prescription versions are available at ENT clinics.

In 9 languages

LanguageTerm
English Runny Nose
Japanese (日本語) 鼻水
Chinese (中文) 流鼻涕
Korean (한국어) 콧물
Portuguese Coriza
Spanish Secreción nasal
Filipino Sipon
Thai น้ำมูกไหล
Vietnamese Sổ mũi
Romanization hanamizu
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Last reviewed: September 2026