Do you regularly suffer from rhinitis and are you looking for an ENT specialist in Barcelona?
Viral rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis... There is not just one rhinitis but many. The best known is allergic rhinitis, better known as "hay fever", caused by an allergic reaction to pollen.
Crusts in the nose in the case of atrophic rhinitis.
When rhinitis is accompanied by a sore throat, it is called rhinopharyngitis.
The different types of rhinitis
A distinction is generally made between allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis or "hay fever" is a seasonal allergy, most often related to pollen production. Other substances can also cause allergic rhinitis, such as dust mites and their waste products, animal hair, or certain chemicals.
Non allergic rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis refers to viral rhinitis, more commonly known as the common cold.
There are several forms of non-allergic rhinitis:
Acute rhinitis: this is a classic cold. It is most common in winter and lasts about a week.
Chronic rhinitis: this corresponds to a prolongation (more than 3 months) of an inflammatory or infectious rhinitis.
Atrophic rhinitis: this is more frequent in the elderly and leads to atrophy and sclerosis of the mucosa.
Vasomotor rhinitis: also known as non-allergic rhinitis, this is a chronic disease in which intermittent vascular engorgement of the nasal mucosa causes clear rhinorrhea and sneezing.
The treatment of rhinitis depends partly on whether it is viral, allergic or other.
In case of viral rhinitis
In case of allergic rhinitis
In case of chronic rhinitis
Viral rhinitis theoretically lasts from 5 to 20 days, but most often one week. It can be treated symptomatically with decongestants or antihistamines. It is worth remembering that antibiotics are not effective against viral infections.
To treat allergic rhinitis, the allergen responsible for the rhinitis must be identified and, if possible, removed.
In case of pollen allergy:
Avoid mowing the lawn or wear a mask,
Air your home early in the morning or late at night,
Do not go outside with wet hair.
If you have a dust mite allergy:
Vacuum frequently,
Ventilate every day,
Remove carpets and rugs.
Then, several treatments can be proposed depending on the allergen and the severity of the allergy:
Treatment with antihistamines
Desensitization
Treatment of chronic rhinitis
If you suffer from chronic rhinitis, several measures can be considered to reduce the symptoms of rhinitis, including drinking plenty of fluids, using a humidifier if your home is dry, using sea water sprays regularly, not overheating your home, turning down the heating at night and raising the head of your bed.
Local treatments can also be effective, particularly intranasal corticosteroids or nasal irrigation with local antibiotics.
If you suffer from chronic rhinitis, several measures can be considered to reduce the symptoms of rhinitis, including drinking plenty of fluids, using a humidifier if your home is dry, using sea water sprays regularly, not overheating your home, turning down the heating at night and raising the head of your bed.
Local treatments can also be effective, particularly intranasal corticosteroids or nasal irrigation with local antibiotics.
How to prevent respiratory allergies?
If it is complicated to control pollution or the consequences of global warming, the doctors of our medical center insist on the harmful effects of certain aggravating factors:
Our answers to the most frequently asked questions about rhinitis
What is the difference between the common cold and rhinitis?
The common cold corresponds to viral rhinitis, and therefore differs from allergic rhinitis, linked to the presence of an allergen (pollen, dust mites, etc.).
What is the difference between rhinitis and sinusitis?
Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the two nasal cavities while sinusitis is an inflammation of the paranasal sinuses.
How to treat rhinitis naturally?
Essential oils, especially those of thyme and peppermint, can sometimes be used in the treatment of rhinitis, especially in the form of inhalation.
