What is rhinitis?
"Rhin-" refers to your nose, and "itis" means inflammation. So rhinitis is inflammation and swelling inside your nose.
Rhinitis is usually caused by a cold Common Cold The common cold is a viral infection. It's one of the most common illnesses people get. Colds spread easily from person to person, especially within the first 2 days of symptoms Symptoms include... read more or seasonal allergies Seasonal Allergy An allergy is when your body's immune system reacts to something harmless, such as food, plants, or medicine. Seasonal allergies are allergies that happen only during the time of year when a... read more
You'll have a runny nose, sneezing, and stuffiness
Rhinitis usually goes away on its own, but doctors may have you take antihistamines
If allergies cause you to get rhinitis often, you may need allergy shots
What causes rhinitis?
Rhinitis can be caused by:
An allergic reaction to something, such as dust, mold, pollen, grass, trees, and animals (allergic rhinitis)
Breathing very dry or dirty air
Older people sometimes have thinning and hardening of the lining of their nose tissue, which causes rhinitis.
What are the symptoms of rhinitis?
Symptoms include:
Runny nose
Stuffy nose
Sneezing
You may have other symptoms too, depending on what caused your rhinitis. If it was caused by allergies, you may have itchy, watery eyes. If your rhinitis came from a cold, you may have a sore throat and cough.
How can doctors tell if I have rhinitis?
Doctors can tell if you have rhinitis based on your symptoms.
How do doctors treat rhinitis?
Treatment depends on what's causing your rhinitis.
If an allergy is causing your rhinitis, doctors will have you avoid what you're allergic to. They'll treat you with:
Corticosteroid nasal spray
Antihistamine pills
Sometimes, allergy shots
Doctors may treat other types of rhinitis with:
Ointment in your nose
Nasal decongestants (sprays or pills)
Flushing water through your nose (nasal irrigation)
Humidifier or vaporizer to make the air in your home more humid
