Nonallergic Rhinitis

Rhinitis is inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa. Rhinitis can be divided into allergic and non-allergic. Non-allergic rhinitis; viral and bacterial-related infectious rhinitis, hormonal rhinitis due to hormonal disorders, pregnancy rhinitis, geriatric rhinitis, drug-induced rhinitis, occupational rhinitis, rhinitis of unknown origin. Non-allergic rhinitis is a disease that varies more, sometimes can be continuous, develops suddenly, develops rapidly, and is usually accompanied by short-term nasal congestion, nasal discharge, post-nasal drip, and rarely itching and sneezing, which develops due to the excessive response of the nasal mucosa.

Nonallergic rhinitis is mainly caused by the hypersensitivity of the nerve endings lining the nose, which causes the capillaries in the nose to swell. When the blood vessels in the nose enlarge or swell, nasal congestion occurs due to edema, and the mucus formed due to the extravasation of fluid causes nasal discharge.

Patients may experience nasal congestion, runny nose, and inability to smell. To make a diagnosis, allergy must first be excluded. If necessary, additional examination and radiological imaging may be required. Appropriate drug therapy can then be applied.

In the treatment of nonallergic rhinitis, avoidance of trigger factors, nasal washing, and sprays that we use in allergic rhinitis are used.

Avoiding trigger factors: It is beneficial to avoid cigarette smoke, not to smoke at home, and to prevent smoking in common areas. Items such as cleaning supplies and household sprays can be avoided. Although it is difficult to stay away from perfumes and strong odors, their use in the home can be reduced in your immediate environment. Since some drugs (birth control pills, some antihypertensives, antidepressants, etc.) may cause rhinitis, it would be beneficial to consult your doctor again in the presence of rhinitis that started with medication.

Nasal washing: Simply washing the nose with salt water is beneficial for both allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis, especially for postnasal drip.

Nasal sprays: Sprays with steroids and antihistamines can reduce symptoms when decongestants are used regularly and correctly. Treatment of nonallergic rhinitis is generally a long-term treatment, and the dose of drugs should be reduced, and the course of the disease should be done under the control of a specialist.