Chronic rhinitis is a very common condition involving inflammation of the nasal tissues. As a chronic problem, it can cause persistent symptoms that may impact your quality of life. Thankfully, with help from our trusted ENT physicians, you can achieve relief and successfully manage chronic rhinitis symptoms. 

What is Chronic Rhinitis?

Chronic rhinitis is a recurrent nasal blockage or discharge that doesn’t go away on its own. It causes symptoms stemming from the inner lining of the nose being continually inflamed or irritated. These symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Mouth breathing
• Sinus pressure
• Sinus infections
• Itchiness in the nose, eyes, and throat
• Post-nasal drip

Over time, as post-nasal drip causes mucus in the throat, you may experience a chronic sore throat, chronic cough, and a frequent need to clear your throat. 

What Causes Chronic Rhinitis?

Chronic rhinitis can stem from a range of factors, including:

• Allergies, including seasonal pollen, dust, mites, pet dander, and mold (known as allergic rhinitis)
• Changes in the central nervous system’s control of nasal blood vessels, causing overactive nerves in the nose (known as vasomotor rhinitis)

Sometimes, there’s no identifiable cause of chronic rhinitis. This is known as non-allergic rhinitis, and it typically doesn’t cause itchiness in the nose, eyes, and throat, like allergic rhinitis. 

In-Office Procedures for Chronic Rhinitis

Many cases of chronic rhinitis are effectively treated with medications and non-invasive treatments. Medication options include nasal or oral antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids. Nasal irrigation, over-the-counter nasal decongestant sprays, and avoiding specific triggers (like smoke and cleaning agents) can also help manage your symptoms. 

If these methods don’t offer relief, your doctor may prescribe ClariFix (only available by prescription), NEUROMARK, or RhinAer.  

• ClariFix cryotherapy is the first and only FDA-cleared device for adults with chronic rhinitis. It uses cold therapy to interrupt the signals from imbalanced nerves, providing relief from nasal congestion and related symptoms. 
• NEUROMARK is a gentle in-office procedure that uses low-power energy to disrupt the overactive nasal nerves that trigger chronic rhinitis symptoms. 
• RhinAer is a non-invasive treatment for moderate to severe chronic rhinitis. It uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy to target and calm overactive nerves in the nose. This reduces the production and flow of excess mucus. 

If you’re struggling with symptoms of chronic rhinitis, schedule an appointment at ENT Associates today to speak with one of our experienced physicians.