‘Tis the season for a runny nose! Did you know that rhinitis is a reaction that occurs in the eyes, nose and throat when airborne irritants (allergens) trigger the release of histamine. Rhinitis can cause a stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, and post nasal drip. Rhinitis can be both acute or chronic.
So what causes rhinitis? Rhinitis is caused by histamines. When histamines come in contact with the mucous membrane of the nose it can
cause irritation, fluid build up, and inflammation. Histamines can also cause fluid production and inflammation in the fragile linings of the sinuses and eyelids.
The three categories of Rhinitis include:
- Allergic rhinitis: An allergic response may trigger symptoms of sneezing, itchy/watery eyes
- Non-allergic rhinitis: Occurs when blood vessels in the nose expand and fill the nasal lining with blood and/or fluid.
- Mixed rhinitis (combo of allergic and non-allergic): Symptoms may include a runny nose, nasal congestion, nasal itching and sneezing.
A Common cold can create an infection in the nose and/or throat causing some of these symptoms above.
There are several different treatment options to tackle the symptoms of rhinitis. A few of these include:
- Antibiotics
- Antihistmines
- Surgery
- Immunotherapy
- Avoidance
Each case can be different and it’s important to be evaluated by a ENT physician to determine the best treatment plan for you. Call Michigan ENT and Allergy Specialists to schedule your consult today (616) 994-2770.