How to Identify Types of Rhinitis

Most people think of seasonal allergies when they hear the term rhinitis. Though mostly correct, there is also non-allergic rhinitis. Both are uncomfortable, however for effective long-term treatment it is best to identify which type of rhinitis you are suffering from.

Instructions

• 1

  Track the rhinitis reaction to determine whether or not is a common cold or rhinitis. On some occasions, the two display similar symptoms, but the causes and treatments differ. A cold will eventually go away, but rhinitis from allergies reoccur each time the allergy trigger is near.

• 2

  Determine what is causing the rhinitis. If it’s an allergy, then find out what you are allergic to. Track when the symptoms appear and attempt to find a cause and affect relationship between the trigger and the reaction. However, if it the rhinitis is not an allergic reaction, it’s time to investigate a bit further to find out the cause.

• 3

  Find out if you are contagious. A transferable virus or bacterial infection might cause non-allergic rhinitis. If you are contagious, take the proper precautions to prevent infecting those around you.

• 4

  Check to see if t here is a nasal obstruction. This is important to identify so that you can rule out taking unnecessary medication. If you have enlarged adenoids or a deviated septum, you will need a surgical, not a medicinal resolution to the problem.

• 5

  Evaluate the symptoms to see if it is vasomotor rhinitis. Triggers such as temperature/humidity changes or irritants like cigarette smoke, emotional trauma or certain types of odors causes vasomotor rhinitis. This type of rhinitis doesn’t quite fall into the cold or allergy category and requires careful tracking to notice the symptom triggers.