What is Non-Allergic Rhinitis?

Non-allergic rhinitis is a syndrome caused from nasal inflammation; its symptoms mirror that of hay fever yet there is no allergic reaction involved. It is most commonly diagnosed in young adults 20 and older, but can also be found in children and older adults.

Those who suffer from non-allergic rhinitis often spend many years taking every imaginable allergy medication to no avail. The big difference is that, unlike many forms of allergic allergic rhinitis, these symptoms persist all year round. Those symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis include; chronic sneezing, congestion, drippy nose, stuffy nose, and mucus in the throat.

Non-allergic Rhinitis manifests itself in a variety of different forms.

• Infectious Rhinitis: The most common of all the rhinitis as it is also known as the common cold. Its cause is typically when a cold virus moves into the mucous membranes of the nose and sinus cavity. This is generally related to some form of bacterial or viral infection. The symptoms can be similar to those of a sinus infection including a green colored nasal discharge and facial/sinus pain. The difference is that an x-ray will show no signs of a sinus infection. This type of rhinitis will clear up on its own in a few days in most cases. Antibiotics may be used in prolonged cases.




• Vasomotor Rhinitis: Commonly known as a stuffy nose. This type of non-allergic rhinitis requires some form of change in physical conditions. It is caused by acute or chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose because of a virus, bacteria or irritants. Among the most common triggers are perfumes and other strong odors, smoke, and chemical fumes. The results of the inflammation can include a runny nose, nasal congestion and nasal drip.




• Hormonal Rhinitis: Caused from a hormonal imbalance that happens during certain conditions. This type of non-allergic rhinitis typically affects pregnant women starting in their second month and lasts until shortly after they deliver. It usually causes nasal congestion that can be quite severe. Normal treatments for allergies do not work with hormonal rhinitis, yet saline nasal sprays are successfully used to alleviate the symptoms.




• Rhinitis Medicamentosa: A form of medication induced rhinitis is caused by using over the counter decongestant spray far too frequently and typically occurs after 5 to 7 days of usage. Patients suffering from this normally begin to up the dosage of these medications by using it more often upon the onset of rhinitis medicamentosa. This can eventually lead to permanent turbinate hyperplasia which can block nasal breathing until surgically removed.




• Medication Induced Rhinitis: A result of using certain medications such as birth control pills, high blood pressure medication and a variety of NSAIDs and aspirin.




• Gustatory Rhinitis: Is generally related to foods or alcohol consumption. The most common symptom is a runny nose with a watery fluid that is clear in color. After the consumption of certain types of food, especially hot and spicy ones, gustatory rhinitis can occur. This can happen in both children and adults and can be more susceptible to those who have allergic rhinitis and those who smoke excessively.

There is also a form of non-allergic rhinitis that seems to be closely related to acid reflux disease. It is seen most often in younger children. The symptoms include congestion, a runny nose and post nasal drip. These symptoms manifest most frequently after eating a heavy meal or after suffering from acid reflux.

Triggers for Non-Allergic Rhinitis

The triggers for non-allergic rhinitis can vary from person to person but are not limited to:

• Certain odors or irritants in the air
• Some medications
• Certain foods
• Changes in the weather patterns
• Chronic health conditions
• Emotional or physical stress

How Does the Doctor Diagnose Non Allergic Rhinitis?

There is no definite test that can be performed to diagnose non-allergic rhinitis. In essence, it can be very hard to diagnose. Instead, tests will most likely be done to eliminate all other forms of allergy. The doctor will look at your medical history, including the medications you take and then perform a physical examination. In some cases your doctor may simply put you on a certain medication to see if your symptoms improve.

In other cases he will simply rule out any other allergies by performing two defined tests.

• Blood test
• A blood test can measure the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream also known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). This blood test will measure your immune system’s response to common allergies.
• Skin
• A skin test is completed by pricking your skin with a small amount of airborne allergens including cat and dog dander, mold, pollen and dust mites. If in fact you are allergic to any of those substances your skin will develop a small bump or a hive in the test location.

Once every other possibility has been ruled out, it can be relatively safe to assume that you are in fact suffering from non-allergic rhinitis. At this point, you and your doctor can come up with a working plan of action.

Treatment for Non-Allergenic Rhinitis?

The treatment you need will greatly depend on how much the symptoms bother you or how severe they are in your case. For some home remedies, avoiding triggers and preventative measures are enough to halt the symptoms. If you are one of the thousands who have not found that to be enough there are a variety of medications that can offer the help you need.

• Antihistamine nasal spray
• Saline nasal spray
• Corticosteroid nasal spray
• Oral decongestants
• Decongestant nasal spray
• Anti-drip anticholinergic nasal spray

One thing to keep in mind is that over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as Claritin, Benadryl, and Tavist (among others) do not work well for non-allergic rhinitis.

One of the best ways to treat this type of rhinitis is by learning what triggers your particular symptoms and then doing your best to avoid them. While this is the best way to avoid the problem, it is not always the most practical method. In the case of strong odors like perfume, you may find that using air purifiers can remove the odors from the air before they have a chance to cause you problems.

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