Allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis

What is Rhinitis?

Have you been experiencing persistent coughing, congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and fatigue? This could be a sign of hay fever, also called rhinitis. It is a condition that causes nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itching. It usually occurs due to inflammation and affects the eyes, ears, and throat.

Though rhinitis is commonly thought of as a response to the deposition of allergens on the nasal mucosa, a significant percentage of patients suffering from rhinitis are not allergic. It is estimated that 44-to 87% of people with rhinitis have ‘Mixed’ allergic and Non-Allergic Rhinitis.

Read on to understand the two types of rhinitis - allergic and non-allergic, and their symptoms and treatments.

Understanding Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis is an inflammation inside the nose caused by allergens like pollen, dust, spores, etc. This basically refers to substances that one might be allergic to which when inhaled, cause an allergic reaction which is due to the immune system reacting to them.

Further broken down, the types of allergic rhinitis are: seasonal rhinitis and perennial rhinitis. Seasonal AR, often referred to as hay fever, is typically caused by outdoor allergens such as pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. Perennial AR occurs year-round. It is usually triggered by allergens such as pet dander [tiny bits of dead skin shed by animals or birds], house dust mites or mold.

People with asthma are at a higher risk of contracting allergic rhinitis. Know more about the link between asthma and allergic rhinitis here.

Symptoms:

Itching, sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and congestion of the nose, ears and sinuses are all symptoms of allergy. During an allergy attack, you may experience headaches, exhaustion and an overall sense of being unwell. The severity of these symptoms varies from person to person.

Treatment

1. Antihistamines: These help in lowering the effects of histamine, a chemical released in the body in response to an allergen. One can use this medicine in various forms like liquid, injections, nasal sprays, etc.
2. Decongestants: This is a medication that helps in relieving a stuffy nose and congestion in the sinuses. This can be used in multiple forms like pills, liquid or nasal sprays
3. Nasal Sprays: Nasal sprays are highly effective in treating and relieving the symptoms of allergic rhinitis by reducing inflammation in the nose and helping with immune responses.
4. Eye Drops: Eye drops help in allergic rhinitis treatment like itchiness and irritation in the eyes. However, the usage of eye drops in only a temporary solution and overuse of certain drops may be harmful.
5. Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy or allergy shots are an effective and long term way of allergic rhinitis treatment. However, this option is recommended by the doctor in severe cases if no other medication helps

Understanding Non-Allergic Rhinitis (NAR)

Non-allergic rhinitis has similar symptoms to allergic rhinitis but without any specific cause like an allergy to something. Symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis may occur due to weather changes, food items, irritants in the environment such as strong odours, chemical fumes, air pollution and secondhand tobacco smoke, changes in sexual hormone levels, exercise, and alcohol ingestion. Medications and other chronic health conditions can also contribute to NAR, This is diagnosed by ruling out the possibility of allergic rhinitis since both have similar symptoms.

Symptoms :

The symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis may occur all year around and include blocked and runny nose, sneezing and building up of mucus in the throat, in addition to reduced sense of smell, irritation and discomfort in and around the nose.

Treatment:

1. Nasal Irrigation: This refers to rinsing the nasal passage with a saltwater solution. This helps in eliminating a buildup of mucus and irritants inside the nose leading to reduced inflammation in the nose.
2. Decongestants: As in allergic rhinitis, decongestants also help in relieving the symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis as they help in relieving sinus pressure and congestion in the nose. Their use should be limited due to their addictive nature and side effects.
3. Nasal Sprays: Nasal sprays are helpful in relieving symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis as they directly deliver the medicine to the nose and help in relieving symptoms like stuffy nose and sinus pressure. The multiple types of nasal sprays which can be helpful in the treatment of non-allergic rhinitis like antihistamine nasal sprays, steroid nasal sprays and decongestant nasal sprays.
4. Change In Medication: There are certain medications that worsen the symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis like antidepressants, birth control pills, medications for high blood pressure etc. If your symptoms are worsening, then check with your doctor to rule out this possibility.

While both types of rhinitis might not be curable, their symptoms can be relieved by all the treatments mentioned above. Now that you know about rhinitis, don’t forget to consult a doctor to get a proper diagnosis and medication.

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