Rhinitis

Inflammation of the mucous membrane leading to the infection and irritation inside the nose is medically termed as Rhinitis. Caused by various reasons, the infection is found usually among children although it can affect adults too.

 

Rhinitis

 

Symptoms of Rhinitis

The most common symptoms of Rhinitis are stuffy nose, runny nose and drippings from the nasals. The infection can also cause the eyes to itch and they turn watery or reddish and puffiness may also form around.

Other symptoms that show up during a rhinitis attack are:

  • A lot of sneezing
  • Abnormal production of the mucous
  • Coughing that is caused by the mucous present in the throat
  • Mild to severe headaches

 

Allergic Rhinitis

An allergic rhinitis is a sub division of the rhinitis infection that is caused when a person is subjected to allergens or other foreign particles. The mast cells in the nose release a chemical called histamine when a foreign particle enters the nose. The released histamine triggers an inflammation process within the nose that leads to allergic rhinitis.

 

Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

With the addition to the above mentioned symptoms for rhinitis, allergic rhinitis infection causes the following problems too:

  • Sneezing and nasal itching
  • Copious coughing and headaches
  • Feeling of tiredness and general sickness
  • Psychological impairments

 

Causes of Rhinitis

The primary causative agents that lead to a rhinitis infection are:

  • Bacterial or viral infestation or
  • Other allergens or irritants such as pollen, dander, trees, grass, house dust mites and certain animals.
  • Some allergens may arise work related environments too

 

Risk Factors

Chances of a quickly worsening condition of rhinitis may originate if:

  • A person grows up in a surrounding where people smoke regularly
  • Highly exposed to pets and dust mites
  • High usage of antibiotics

 

Treatment of Rhinitis

Medical treatment is usually considered when treating rhinitis and to overcome the symptoms an ENT specialist usually prescribes:

Nasal decongestants – both oral and topical, to reduce the blood flow to nasal tissues which in turn produces less mucous that causes nasal stuffiness.

Antihistamines – to act like a counteractive solution against the production of histamines that are produced when foreign particles enter through the nose.

Nasal Steroid Sprays – to reduce the inflammation caused in the mucous membrane and to enhance the drainage functionality within the sinuses.