Everything in this guide will walk you through all you'd like to learn, everything from symptoms and causes, to treatment and diagnosis, and how-to's on prevention. Even if you don't suffer from non-allergic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis, but rather wish to learn about how to know if you have allergic rhinitis or sinusitis in you, we're here.

What is Rhinitis?

Rhinitis is the proper medical term for nasal mucosa inflammation. It is most often caused by irritants, viruses, allergens, or environmental stimuli. The majority of patients complain with symptoms that they think is a cold or seasonal sensitivity, most probably they have rhinitis.

So allergic rhinitis, then? Allergic rhinitis is the most prevalent, hands down, and is a result of your body over-reacting to air-borne allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. Seasonal (ie, hay fever) or perennial (year-round). The same symptomatology as non-allergic rhinitis but not an allergen-related syndrome.

Common Causes of Rhinitis

Establishing the rhinitis diagnosis of the causes of rhinitis results in appropriate management and avoidance of redundant drug therapy.

Allergic Etiology

  • Tree, grass, or weed pollen
  • Pet dander
  • Mold spores
  • Dust mites
  • Cockroach allergens
They elicit seasonal rhinitis or perennial allergic rhinitis, respectively, based on exposure.

Non-Allergic Etiology

  • Viral infections (common colds)
  • Pungent odors (perfume, cleaners)
  • Weather change
  • Air pollution or smoking
  • Hormonal changes (individual pregnancy)
  • Certain medications (e.g., overuse of nasal spray)
One specific subtype, vasomotor rhinitis, most often is due to temperature change, hot food, or even mental stress, and is not an allergy.

Symptoms of Rhinitis

Whether the signs and symptoms would be brief or prolonged, all of the subtypes have exhibited similarities of signs and symptoms of some of the subtypes, these are:

  • Sneezing on wakening
  • Runny nose or nasal drip
  • Stuffy or congested nasal passages
  • Sore, scratchy throat, nose, or eyes
  • Headache or facial pressure
  • rhinitis and postnasal drip (nasal drainage down back of throat)
Secondary sore throat or secondary cough secondary to nasal drainage
Chronic rhinitis is more disabling, with nighttime and quality-of-life effects. Of all rhinitis and nasal congestion symptoms, two of the sleepiest are worst at night.


Types of Rhinitis

There are a number of distinct conditions with different etiologies and treatments:

Allergic Rhinitis

A hyperactive immune response to allergens. It is:

  • Seasonal (hay fever): Relative to out-of-door pollen.
  • Perennial: From indoor allergens like dust mites or pet dander.

Non-Allergic Rhinitis

Not immune-mediated and encompasses:

  • Vasomotor rhinitis: Secondary to odor or smoke irritation.
  • Hormonal rhinitis: Most commonly during pregnancy.
  • Occupational rhinitis: Due to work exposure.

Infectious Rhinitis

Typically due to virus such as flu or common cold. rhinitis relief remedies of symptoms and most likely recover within 7–10 days.

Mixed Rhinitis

This is typically both:

  • Allergic and non-allergic in:
  • Cause and typically harder to diagnose as well.

Diagnosis of Rhinitis

De-scaling it from e.g. common cold or sinusitis.
Diagnostic methods are:

  • Medical history: Patterns, family history, and chronicity.
  • Physical examination: Nasal passage ophthalmic examination.
  • Allergy tests: Blood test or skin testing to determine causative allergens.
  • Nasal endoscopy: Direct visualization of nasal inner tissues.
  • CT scan: To exclude chronic sinusitis if the disease is not improving.
Interested in allergic rhinitis vs sinusitis? Allergic rhinitis is most classically coupled with watery eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. Sinusitis is most classically coupled with thick nasal discharge, fever, and facial pressure.

Successful Treatment Options

Treatment of rhinitis varies greatly depending on cause. Fortunately, most rhinitis treatment is symptomatic treatment:

Medications

  • Antihistamines: Prevent sneezing and itching (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine).
  • Nasal corticosteroids: Minimize swelling (e.g., fluticasone, mometasone).
  • Decongestants: Symptomatic relief of nasal congestion (not long-term).
  • Leukotriene inhibitors: This fights allergic symptoms (montelukast for example).
  • Saline sprays: These moisturize and lubricate nasal cavities.

Immunotherapy

Sublingual tablets or injections to induce long-time immunity against allergens in severe rhinitis

Lifestyle Treatments

These are lifestyle treatments that break the chains of rhinitis to ease:

  • Use HEPA filters indoors.
  • Shower and change upon entering indoors.
  • Bring indoors pets.
  • Stay away from known allergens and irritants.
  • Use humidifiers during dry weather.

Prevention Tips for Rhinitis

Prevention of non-allergic and allergic rhinitis is required to enable it to be possible that quality of life can be improved as well as prevention of being treated in the long run. Targeted prevention is achieved through the following:

Avoid Triggers

This may include allergens and irritants like pollen, dust mites, animal dander, and tobacco smoke. It is especially useful to know the pollen count daily during the pollen season. Avoid going outdoors in high-pollen activities, state-wise between early morning hours, when the counts are likely at their peak.

Maintain Good Air Quality Indoors

With improved indoor air quality, air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters should be used. Vacuum carpets and wash bedding weekly in hot water to trap allergens. Close windows before pollen season so that houseplants that create mold are not carried into the house.

Good Hygiene

Preventive hand washing can decrease transmission of infectious rhinitis, particularly rhinitis in children. Encourage the children not to rub their nose and eyes with dirty hands.

Unscented House Cleaning Agents

Avoid strongly scented cleaning supplies, deodorants, and toiletries as much as possible. There will be more rhinitis symptoms in patients with vasomotor or nonallergic rhinitis.

Special Child Treatment

Use physician-approved antihistamines by a pediatrician to treat the rhinitis and manage the stress environment and avoid overmedicating.

Conclusion

Rhinitis is not only a careless problem literally, but it can turn your life around if you do not treat it. If you get diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, or chronic rhinitis, then knowing the cause of it and treating the same in time can prove to be a savior. Seek professional counseling by your doctor for diagnosing and treatment plan. With rhinitis medication, lifestyle modification, and prevention treatment, you can breathe freely-literally and even metaphorically.

Please book an appointment with the best ENT Specialist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.