Types of Rhinitis

Understanding the causes of your allergy-like symptoms

If you experience the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, or cough normally associated with allergies, you may not realize that having these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that you have just allergies. Often, people experience these same symptoms due to a condition called nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis. In fact, in a recent survey, more than 50% of patients with rhinitis had nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis either alone or along with allergies.

A common cause—seasonal allergens

The symptoms of runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, postnasal drip, cough, itchy nose, and itchy/watery eyes are often caused by allergens such as grass, flowers, trees, and weeds.

Another very common cause—nonallergic vasomotor triggers

Even though the symptoms can be the same, nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis is not an allergy at all, but you can feel just as terrible. Nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis is caused by exposure to common indoor and outdoor triggers, including strong odors such as tobacco smoke, perfumes/colognes/hairspray, soaps/detergents/cleaners/paint, and motor vehicle exhaust fumes. Weather also can trigger nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis, especially changes in humidity and temperature. Spicy foods and alcohol also can trigger allergy-like symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, and postnasal drip.

The worst of both worlds—allergy-like symptoms caused by both seasonal allergens and nonallergic vasomotor triggers

Some people may suffer from a combination of both seasonal allergic rhinitis and nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis. This does not mean that they feel twice as bad. It just may make a difference in how their symptoms are treated since second-generation oral antihistamines are not indicated for nonallergic vasomotor rhinitis.