Rhinitis

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Rhinitis refers to the inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane, the delicate tissue lining the inside of the nasal passages. This condition manifests through a variety of symptoms, including sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, and sometimes discomfort or pain in the nasal region. Rhinitis is frequently caused by airborne allergens and is then referred to as allergic rhinitis or, colloquially, hay fever.

Depiction of a person suffering from Allergic Rhinitis

Etiology and Types[edit | edit source]

Allergic Rhinitis[edit | edit source]

Allergic rhinitis, the most common form of rhinitis, is an allergic reaction to airborne substances such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. This type of rhinitis is often seasonal (known as seasonal allergic rhinitis or hay fever) but can be perennial (present throughout the year), depending on the specific allergens involved.

Non-Allergic Rhinitis[edit | edit source]

Non-allergic rhinitis does not involve the immune system. Instead, it's typically triggered by irritants such as cigarette smoke, strong odors, and changes in weather or humidity. In some cases, it may be caused by certain medications, hormonal changes, or underlying medical conditions[1].

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Common symptoms of rhinitis include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itching or burning sensation in the nose, and watery or itchy eyes. These symptoms can lead to sleep disturbances, impairment of daily activities, and decreased quality of life.

Diagnosis and Treatment[edit | edit source]

The diagnosis of rhinitis is primarily based on a thorough history and physical examination. For allergic rhinitis, skin prick tests or blood tests may be used to identify the specific allergens involved.

Treatment focuses on symptom management and often includes antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and in some cases, allergy shots (immunotherapy). Avoidance of known allergens or irritants is also a key component of management[2].

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Nonallergic rhinitis". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  2. "Hay fever". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
Rhinitis Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Translate to: East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski

WikiMD.png


WikiMD is the world's largest, free medical and wellness encyclopedia edited only by professionals. Advertise!




Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD