Rhinitis: Symptoms, Causes and How to Treat It

A blocked nose, watery discharge and sneezing are familiar to everyone. Most often it is an ordinary runny nose that clears up in a week. But sometimes rhinitis drags on or returns every season, and then simple nose drops are not enough. Let’s look at what rhinitis is in simple terms, what causes it and how it is treated.

What Rhinitis Is and Which Symptoms Point to Inflammation of the Nasal Mucosa

Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose. It can be an independent disease or a manifestation of other conditions. The main symptoms are:

• nasal congestion and difficulty breathing;
• discharge: clear, mucous or purulent;
• sneezing, itching and burning in the nose;
• reduced sense of smell;
• watery eyes, headache, a feeling of pressure in the nose area.

With infectious rhinitis the symptoms go through stages. First there is dryness and a scratchy feeling in the nose, then copious watery discharge, and by day 5–7 the discharge thickens and gradually disappears. An acute runny nose usually lasts 7–10 days. If the snot and congestion last longer than 10–14 days, that is a reason for a consultation.

What Causes Rhinitis: Infectious, Allergic and Other Causes

A runny nose is not one disease but a group of conditions. Several types are distinguished:

• Infectious rhinitis — caused by viruses, less often bacteria. The most common cause of the illness.
• Allergic rhinitis — a reaction to pollen, dust, animal fur, mold. Symptoms are seasonal or year-round, accompanied by itching and sneezing, with no fever.
• Vasomotor rhinitis — a disorder of blood vessel regulation in the nose. Triggered by sharp temperature changes, smells and tobacco smoke.
• Medication-induced rhinitis — develops when vasoconstrictor drops are used for longer than 5–7 days.
• Hormonal and atrophic rhinitis — occurs during pregnancy, when taking certain medications, with dry air, and with age-related changes in the mucous membrane.

Rhinitis more often occurs against a background of a deviated nasal septum, polyps, adenoids and chronic sinus diseases. If a runny nose goes away and comes back, the cause needs to be found rather than treating each episode separately. Chronic rhinitis cannot be cured with drops: the cause has to be dealt with.

How Rhinitis Is Diagnosed at the Helyos Medical Center

It is hard to determine the type of rhinitis from symptoms: infectious and allergic runny noses look similar, but they are treated differently. That is why an examination by a doctor is needed. At a consultation with an otolaryngologist at Helyos, rhinoscopy is performed: the doctor assesses the color of the mucous membrane, swelling, the nature of the discharge and the condition of the septum. A comprehensive ENT examination includes nasal endoscopy and, if necessary, additional tests.

In Which Cases Additional Tests Are Needed for Rhinitis

Additional tests are ordered if:

• symptoms recur every season — allergy tests, blood test for IgE;
• inflammation of the sinuses or adenoids is suspected — CT or endoscopy;
• breathing is difficult because of a deformed septum — rhinomanometry;
• the pathogen needs to be identified — a nasal swab.

What Is Important to Tell the ENT Doctor at the Consultation

It will be useful for the doctor to know:

• when the symptoms began and how they change over the day and the year;
• which drops and sprays you have used and for how long;
• whether you have allergies, asthma or chronic diseases;
• contact with dust, chemicals or animals;
• which medications you take regularly.

How Rhinitis Is Treated: Medications, Physiotherapy and Modern Methods

Treatment depends on the type of rhinitis. With a viral runny nose the basis is rinsing the nose with saline solutions, drinking fluids, humidifying the air and rest. Antibiotics are not needed for viral rhinitis. All medications, including hormonal sprays and antihistamines, are selected by the doctor.

At home you can ease your condition: drink enough fluids, sleep with your head raised, ventilate the room and keep the air humidity at 40–60%. Hot steam inhalations are not recommended for acute rhinitis: heat increases swelling of the mucous membrane. For children, pregnant women and the elderly, medications are selected only after a consultation with a doctor.

If conservative treatment does not help, the surgeon may suggest an operation: correction of the septum, reduction of the inferior nasal turbinates or removal of polyps.

Prevention of Rhinitis and Signs of Possible Complications

To keep rhinitis from coming back, it is important to:

• wash your hands and avoid contact with sick people during the ARVI season;
• humidify the air and do regular damp cleaning;
• not overuse nose drops;
• if you have allergies, avoid contact with the allergen and start treatment before the flowering season;
• not smoke and avoid tobacco smoke;
• harden yourself and get enough sleep: strong immunity protects against frequent colds.

A prolonged runny nose can lead to complications such as sinusitis, ear infection, bronchitis and, in children, adenoiditis. See a doctor if the discharge becomes purulent, pain appears in the facial area, hearing worsens, the temperature rises or one ear feels blocked. You can book an appointment with the otolaryngologist Igor Polevich — specialist page.