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Types of Rhinitis

Rhinitis is nasal irritation or inflammation. Rhinitis affects more than 50 million people in the United States and is characterized by a runny nose, itching, sneezing and congestion. There are three main types of rhinitis; allergic rhinitis, infectious rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis.

  1. Allergic Rhinitis

    • Allergic rhinitis affects more than 15 percent of adults and children and is caused by allergens. There are two types of allergic rhinitis; seasonal allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) and perennial allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by outdoor allergens like pollen and mold. Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by indoor allergens like animal dander and dust mites. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. There may also be itching in the eyes, ears, nose and roof of the mouth.

    Infectious Rhinitis

    • Infectious rhinitis is caused by the common cold. Infections are usually self-limiting and subside after about a week. Infectious rhinitis symptoms that last longer may be due to a noninfectious rhinitis. Cold symptoms include congestion, runny nose, sneezing, fever and coughing.

    Nonallergic Rhinitis

    • Many people who suffer from rhinitis do not have an allergy or an infection. Nonallergic rhinitis, also called vasomotor rhinitis, has many triggers including smoke, cooking odors, spicy foods and certain medications. The cause of nonallergic rhinitis is still not fully understood, but the symptoms are similar to those of allergic rhinitis and can include excess mucus production, congestion and itching.

    Treatment

    • Treatment options vary depending on the type of rhinitis and range from ignoring the symptoms to undergoing surgery. Other treatment options can include medication, immunotherapy and avoiding the trigger of the symptoms altogether. It's best to see your doctor for evaluation and treatment recommendation.

    Considerations

    • Consult your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Different types of rhinitis can share the same symptoms. It's also possible for a single person to suffer from more than one kind of rhinitis at a time. Consider seeing a doctor if your rhinitis symptoms are severe, prolonged or interfere with your everyday life. Also see your doctor if you have nasal polyps (noncancerous growths on the inside of your nose), other contributing conditions such as asthma or have found medications to be ineffective.

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