An inflammation that includes, among the possible causes, different factors. It is essential to distinguish the various types of rhinitis before deciding on the treatment or medications to be used.
Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa, the typical symptoms of which are:
It can be limited in time (acute forms) or chronic. The most common causes are colds and allergies, and must be identified correctly because the treatment is different.
Symptom analysis is usually used to make the diagnosis, but it is not always easy to distinguish between viral rhinitis and allergic rhinitis.
Generally, the latter is also associated with itchy nose, eyes and throat, a symptom that is almost always missing in colds.
Acute viral rhinitis
It is the classic cold: at the origin there is a wide variety of viruses. Typical symptoms are runny nose or nasal obstruction, sneezing, postnasal drip, coughing.
There are no drugs to fight the cold virus, so the therapy is based on nasal decongestants, such as phenylephrine in nasal sprays or pseudoephedrine orally.
They are medicines that reduce vasodilation at the level of the nose, caused by inflammation, resulting in a reduction in swelling in the nasal mucosa and restoration of normal breathing.
Nasal sprays should not be used for more than three or four days because after this period, when the effect of the drug ends, often the mucous membrane swells again, even more than before. A phenomenon called “rebound congestion”.
Antihistamines might help, but they are not indicated in case of colds and induce drowsiness and other problems.
It is better to choose an oral decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine, perhaps associated with an anti-inflammatory to speed up the resolution of symptoms.
Antibiotics are not effective.
Allergic rhinitis
It is caused by a reaction of the immune system to an environmental allergen. The most common are:
- dust
- Molds
- Pollen
- herbal
- trees
- animals
- Mites
Symptoms include, in addition to stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy nose, eyes and throat.
A definite diagnosis can be obtained through blood tests or skin tests.
Avoiding the substance that triggers the allergy prevents symptoms, but often it is not possible.
Nasal sprays that contain corticosteroids reduce nasal inflammation from many causes, while antihistamines help block the allergic reaction and therefore symptoms.
Antihistamines, however, can cause drowsiness and other problems. Again, antibiotics are not needed.
Drug treatment is usually chosen depending on the form of allergic rhinitis from which you suffer:
| Mild and intermittent forms | Oral or nasal antihistamines (possibly associated with decongestants, to be taken only for limited periods) |
| Persistent or moderate forms | Corticosteroids (chromones) or leukotrienes nasally (dosages higher are used for more demanding forms) |
Chronic rhinitis
It is typically a kind of extension of acute rhinitis, but it can also be induced by other factors such as a dry environment or airborne irritants. In these cases, decongestants may be used to relieve symptoms.
If, on the other hand, it is a bacterial infection that has become chronic, the best thing is to contact the doctor to identify the pathogens to establish the appropriate antibiotic treatment.
Atrophic rhinitis
A form of chronic rhinitis characterized by thickening and dryness of the nasal mucosa. The disorder can develop after surgery if a significant amount of intranasal structures and mucous membrane have been removed, but even a prolonged bacterial infection can cause mucosal atrophy.
Treatment is aimed at fighting the infection and restoring normal secretions. Decongestants in these cases are likely to dry the inside of the nose even more.
Vasomotor rhinitis
It consists of a form of chronic rhinitis that presents the same symptomatology as an allergic rhinitis in the absence, however, of allergy.
In some people the nose reacts strongly to irritants (such as dust and pollen), perfumes and pollution. Clutter comes and goes, but gets worse with dry air. Sometimes, there is a slight inflammation of the sinuses.
If this inflammation is not severe, treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms with oral decongestants, which are typically present in preparations that also contain anti-inflammatories.
Symptomatology
The symptoms of different forms of rhinitis, while similar to each other, can help direct the diagnosis. For example, if it is an allergic rhinitis, stuffy nose and sneezing will also be associated with itchy nose, eyes and throat and tearing. The atrophic form, on the other hand, is recognized by the dryness of the nasal mucosa and the formation of crusts in the nostrils.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.