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Cures for Rhinitis

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) website, more than 40 million people suffer from allergies that can cause rhinitis. Rhinitis isn't always allergy related, but rhinitis, in general, is characterized by a chronic runny nose, sneezing or a persistent stuffy nose due to congestion. While there isn't a specific cure available for rhinitis, there are a number of things a sufferer can do or take to alleviate the symptoms until rhinitis subsides.

  1. Avoidance

    • Although you can't avoid pollen and mold spores completely, if you are typically allergic, try to limit your outdoor time until after 10 a.m. in the morning. Allergy sufferers should keep their windows and doors closed and use the air conditioner to cool the home and car. It is also wise to not hang and dry your clothes outdoors so that pollen doesn't have a chance to adhere to the fabric.

    Saline Solutions

    • Over-the-counter saline sprays help to flush out the nasal cavity, and the saltwater helps to thin the mucous and soothe the irritated nasal membranes, according to MayoClinic.com. A device called a neti pot can be purchased at the drugstore and is another delivery system for homemade saline solutions.

    Oral Decongestants and Antihistamines

    • Available either over the counter or by prescription, oral decongestants containing a medicine, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, narrow the blood vessels, thereby reducing congestion. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, clemastine and loratadine, help to dry the mucous membranes to stop a runny nose. These medicines can have side effects, so you should check with your doctor for contraindications.

    Antihistamine or Decongestant Nasal Sprays

    • Depending on your symptoms, either the antihistamine nasal spray, which is designed to eradicate a runny nose, or a decongestant spray, which is designed to reverse congestion, can be an effective means in achieving some relief. Decongestant nasal sprays shouldn't be used for more than three or four days because the symptoms can return worse than they were before beginning the spray regimen. These sprays are available by prescription or over the counter.

    Immunotherapy

    • When standard medicines, sprays and saline treatments fail, your doctor may recommend a regimen of allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy. As the ongoing symptoms of rhinitis can be debilitating, prolonged immunotherapy not only lessons or eradicates rhinitis symptoms, it can help the body to build resistance to the allergens and can, in some cases, completely eradicate a particular allergy, suggests the ACAAI website.

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