What is non allergic rhinitis?
Not everybody with a blocked or snuffly nose has allergy. Some will have a sinus infection. Others will have a blocked nose due to twisted anatomy, or an overgrowth of the lining of the nose and sinuses known as polyps. A dry nose sometimes develops with age, or after sinus surgery. In non-allergic rhinitis, there appears to be an imbalance in the function of nerves that make mucous glands secrete fluid and which cause blood vessels to swell or contract. Patients may complain of blockage, runny nose, postnasal drip and even sneezing and itching. The condition usually lasts for years.
What makes it worse?
Patients with non allergic rhinitis
(also known as vasomotor rhinitis) have an "irritable"
nose. Changes in temperature or humidity, or exposure to irritants
such as cigarette smoke, perfume or hair sprays can aggravate
symptoms. Sometimes dietary factors will as well.
Are tests necessary?
Allergy tests (either skin tests or
blood tests) are usually performed to exclude an allergic cause.
An examination of the anatomy of the nose is also important. Sometimes
additional blood tests or x-rays are needed to exclude other conditions
that can give similar symptoms, like nasal polyps or sinus infection.
How can non-allergic rhinitis be treated?
It is often harder to treat non-allergic
than allergic rhinitis. This is because there are fewer options;
there are no allergens to avoid and immunotherapy injections don't
help. Options include:
