Non-allergic rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis develops when the inside of your nose gets inflamed, resulting in a blocked or runny nose. A pharmacist or a doctor may prescribe medication to treat it.
Symptoms indicating non-allergic rhinitis
If you have non-allergic rhinitis, your symptoms typically fluctuate throughout the year.
Symptoms and signs may include:
- A runny or blocked nose,
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- A diminished ability to smell
- Mucus in the throat
- Rough cough
A crust may occasionally develop within the nose due to non-allergic rhinitis. If you attempt to remove it, it could smell terrible and bleed.
Causes
Non-allergic rhinitis can be brought on by:
- Having a cold
- Weather variations, such as those in temperature or humidity
- Exercising
- Vapors from smoke, perfume, and paint
- Spicy food and alcohol
- Hormone alterations brought on by pregnancy, puberty, or medications like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the pill for birth control
- Problems like an underactive thyroid
- Medications including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, aspirin, and ibuprofen, which reduce inflammation,
- Using decongestant nasal sprays excessively
Complications
- Nose polyps. These soft, benign (non-cancerous) growths appear on the lining of your nose.
- Sinusitis
Non-allergic rhinitis does not cause injury, but it can impact your life.
Preventing non-allergic rhinitis
It is frequently treatable without visiting a doctor.
Try to avoid the situations or people that cause your problems.
A pharmacist can provide medications that may be of use, such as:
- Antihistamines
- Nasal sprays for clogged noses
- Use solutions with salt water to clean the interior of your nose
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022