Vasomotor Rhinitis

Many individuals experience chronic congestion and a runny nose. As these symptoms are similar to common allergies, many patients receive allergy medicine or immunotherapy such as allergy drops or shots for relief. Despite treatment, symptoms could continue to persist, which is a common sign of vasomotor rhinitis.

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What Is Chronic Vasomotor Rhinitis?

Many patients experience chronic congestion and a runny nose. This may be from allergies and should respond to allergy medicine or immunotherapy such as allergy drops or allergy shots. In some patients, these symptoms do not respond to allergy treatments and allergy testing is negative. These patients may have “vasomotor rhinitis”, a form of chronic rhinitis that is secondary to an overactive nerve in the nose. This nerve stimulates the lining of the nose to become congested, runny, and have post nasal drip.

Chronic Vasomotor Rhinitis Symptoms

Symptoms of chronic rhinitis can include:

Congestion
Mouth breathing
Sinus pressure
Sinus infections
Runny nose
Post nasal drip
Chronic cough
Sore throat

These symptoms can be present whether it is an allergic or vasomotor chronic rhinitis.

Treatment Options For Vasomotor Rhinitis

Patients that have these typical symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis and have not responded to traditional allergy treatments have had minimal options for therapy until now. The only other form of therapy has been a nasal spray called Atrovent which can be effective for some patients. This spray has to be used multiple times per day and it can cause dryness of the nasal lining. Now Clarifix® and RhinAer® offer an elegant alternative.

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What Triggers Vasomotor Rhinitis?

Vasomotor Rhinitis is triggered by changes in barometric pressure, changes in temperature, changes in humidity, lying flat, and eating.

How Long Does Vasomotor Rhinitis Last?

It is a lifelong condition unless treatments are effective to reduce the overactive nerve in the nose.

Can allergy medicine treat vasomotor rhinitis?

Allergy medicine doesn’t control the congestion, runny nose, and post-nasal drip from vasomotor rhinitis. A special nerve-blocking spray called ipratropium bromide can help and office treatments to reduce the activity of the nerve can also reduce these symptoms.

Is Nonallergic Rhinitis Contagious?

Schedule a consultation

If you are interested in learning more about Chronic Vasomotor Rhinitis, contact our office in Austin, TX today! Call 512.601.0303 to schedule a consultation with our board-certified ENT Specialist, Dr. Daniel Slaughter.