A runny nose, coughing, sneezing – we’ve all been there. Sometimes because we caught a cold, sometimes because we’re dealing with allergies. Sometimes, however, these symptoms may also start without any kind of obvious trigger. If that’s the case, they might be diagnosed as what is commonly known as non-allergic rhinitis. So, what’s behind it? Why does it happen? And, most importantly, what to do about it? Our handy guide will answer all these questions and more.

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What is non-allergic rhinitis?

Non-allergic rhinitis is a condition where the nasal tissue becomes inflamed and swollen without any apparent cause. It is characterized by symptoms typically associated with hay fever or other allergic reactions, such as a runny/stuffy nose, sneezing, or a light cough. Unlike allergic reactions, though, it usually doesn’t include symptoms like an itchy or scratchy nose/throat.

Symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis

The main symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis are:

• A runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• A light cough
• Mucous in the sinuses and/or throat
• Dryness or crusting inside the nose
• Nosebleeds

Types of non-allergic rhinitis

There are several types of non-allergic rhinitis, categorized by their causes/triggers. Let’s take a look at the most common ones:

Vasomotor rhinitis

Vasomotor rhinitis is a chronic form of non-allergic rhinitis, where the nasal tissue is hypersensitive to irritation (e. g. by dry air, spicy food, air pollutants, etc.). This hypersensitivity leads to regular bouts of symptoms.

Atrophic rhinitis

Under certain circumstances – such as when undergoing radiation therapy, or in the presence of certain autoimmune diseases –, the tissue of the nasal lining can atrophy (wear away), become unusually thin, and therefore tend to dry out more easily. The resulting dryness can lead to irritation, which in turn causes what we call atrophic rhinitis. It is often accompanied by crusting inside the nose and frequent nosebleeds.

Rhinitis medicamentosa

If you’ve ever had a bad cold and found it hard to breathe through your nose, you know what blessing topical nasal decongestants can be. Used for too long or too frequently, however, they can lead to the very symptoms they were meant to fight in the first place. If this is the case, the resulting condition is called rhinitis medicamentosa.

The outlier: infectious rhinitis

Infectious rhinitis, though very common, takes its place between typical forms of non-allergic rhinitis and the symptoms of other conditions. It typically results from an infection that affects the nasal tissue, such as the common cold, and the swelling and inflammation here are caused by the virus attacking the nasal lining. Infectious rhinitis often occurs alongside other cold symptoms such as an inflamed throat/chest, or fever. It is usually temporary.

What causes non-allergic rhinitis?

The exact causes for non-allergic rhinitis differ from person to person, there are, however, certain common triggers that can induce episodes. These include:

• External irritants: dust, smoke, strong odours, certain perfumes or incense, certain chemicals, air pollutants, and more.
• Food & drink: hot or spicy food or drinks, alcohol, food & drink with strong smells
• Weather & climate: very warm or very cold weather, very high or very low humidity, wind, very bright weather, etc.
• Medications & medical treatments: drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, beta blockers, certain antidepressants, oral contraceptives, nasal decongestants, etc.; radiation therapy
• Certain medical conditions: autoimmune disease, hypothyroidism, acid reflux, syphilis, sarcoidosis, etc.
• Hormone changes: during menstruation, pregnancy, when taking oral contraceptives

How is non-allergic rhinitis diagnosed?

To diagnose non-allergic rhinitis, your doctor will make sure to rule out any other causes for your rhinitis, especially infections and allergies. They will therefore have a look at your symptoms, and then conduct further tests, such as a skin prick or blood tests, to determine if previously unknown allergies or infections are present.

Your doctor might also consider the following risk factors for developing non-allergic rhinitis:

• Age: non-allergic rhinitis usually occurs after the age of 20
• Frequent exposure to irritants: e. g. at your job
• Biological sex: the hormone changes during the menstruation cycle can trigger non-allergic rhinitis
• Medical history: previous medications & treatments, known conditions (autoimmune disease, hypothyroidism, etc.)

How is non-allergic rhinitis treated?

Depending on the severity of the symptoms, certain medication may be prescribed. Most importantly, though, your doctor will try and help you find your triggers so you can avoid them as much as possible.

Living with non-allergic rhinitis

Non-allergic rhinitis is usually a chronic condition, meaning that patients have to learn to cope with it for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, once you’ve found your triggers and/or medication that can help keep the symptoms in check, this becomes much easier.

Non-allergic rhinitis FAQs

Got some pressing questions about non-allergic rhinitis? Here are our quick-fire answers:

How to stop a runny nose instantly?

Depending on what causes the irritation, humidifiers, drinking plenty of water or hot tea, a hot shower, using neti pots, and other remedies can help. Unless you have rhinitis medicamentosa, you can also try using nasal sprays/decongestants for short periods of time.

Why is my nose always blocked/why does my nose keep running?

You might be frequently exposed to your triggers or be dealing with specific forms of non-allergic rhinitis such as atrophic rhinitis. Best see your doctor so they can help you figure out what exactly will help.

What causes a blocked nose?

Whenever the nasal tissue is irritated/inflamed, it will swell and produce increased amounts of mucous. This mucous, in combination with the swelling, can cause a blocked nose.

How to stop nose burning?

Avoid further irritation as much as possible. In severe cases, your doctor might also prescribe medication to help with the inflammation.

Non-allergic rhinitis resources

• NHS UK
• Asthma + Respiratory Foundation NZ
• HealthLinkBC
• PubMed Central
• MedicalNewsToday

While a runny nose or the occasional sneezing aren’t too uncommon, chronic non-allergic rhinitis can be quite uncomfortable. All the more important it is to figure out your triggers, so you can avoid them as much as possible. If you’re unsure how to do that, or if you’re still wondering if you’re even dealing with non-allergic rhinitis, be sure to see your doctor asap. Good luck from all of us at Carecircle.org.

Guide Sources

• NHS UK
• Asthma + Respiratory Foundation NZ
• HealthLinkBC
• PubMed Central
• MedicalNewsToday