4. Postnasal drip due to allergic rhinitis: a constant discharge
Finally, the fourth common cause is postnasal drip, most often due to chronic allergic rhinitis. This is essentially an allergy to airborne particles, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, or pet dander. When an allergen is inhaled, the immune system overreacts by releasing histamine and other inflammatory substances.
These chemicals cause the nasal passages to swell and produce a large amount of thin mucus in an attempt to flush out the allergen. This is what we call a runny nose. However, this mucus doesn't only drain from the nostrils; a significant amount also flows down the throat. This is called postnasal drip. When this persists, the mucus can become thicker and stickier, creating that constant sensation of phlegm stuck in the throat, especially at night when lying down.
You should suspect allergic rhinitis if:
- Your symptoms are seasonal. Do your phlegm symptoms worsen in spring or autumn, when pollen concentrations are high?
- You are experiencing other allergy symptoms. In addition to phlegm, you will likely experience other classic allergy signs, such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes.
- Your environment may be a triggering factor. Do your symptoms worsen when you are around a cat, in a dusty room, or after a windy day outside?
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