Chronic Rhinitis
Allergic Rhinitis
In Allergic Rhinitis, hypersensitivity to one or more substances (allergens), causes a severe reaction when these are inhaled and brought in contact with the mucosa. This reaction is expressed with one or more of the well-known symptoms of nasal allergy, namely nasal obstruction, runny nose (nasal discharge), itching in the nose or throat, sneezing and redness and itching of the eyes.
Diagnosis is made with careful history, clinical examination, skin prick testing and special blood tests.
In skin prick testing, drops containing several common allergens are carefully placed on the inner surface of the forearm, and the skin under each drop is superficially pricked with a plastic lancet. If there is hypersensitivity to any of the examined allergens, the skin reacts with a wheal, surrounded by an area of red, itchy skin. This skin reaction subsides in a few minutes. The result of the test is evaluated in 20 minutes.
Allergic Rhinitis may be caused by allergens that are contained in the air during certain periods of the year, like the pollen of plants and trees, or can be inhaled all year through, like some particles of house dust mites, fungi or epithelia of animal fur. Often, the test reveals allergy to more than one allergens, in which case the doctor will evaluate the importance of the findings in relation to the medical history.
Management of allergy is based on avoidance measures, special medication and, if these fail, immunotherapy.
Chronic Non Allergic Rhinitis
In Chronic Non Allergic Rhinitis there is no specific hypersensitivity to any allergen, but the nose overreacts to non-specific triggers, such as temperature or humidity differences, pollution or smoke.
The skin prick and the rest of allergy tests are negative. Symptoms appear in irregular time intervals or on perennial basis. Treatment is usually medical. Surgical intervention may help in cases of significant hypertrophy of nasal turbinates.
This website aims at providing simplified scientific information and not medical advice on specific conditions or individual cases. In this respect, it cannot replace the consultation and documented opinion of a specialist physician.