Non-Allergic Rhinitis or Vasomotor Rhinitis is a medical condition where a patient will have nasal congestion, drainage, and fullness of the head that can come and go, but not due to allergies, but rather irritants.
Irritants like tobacco smoke, strong odors, perfumes, paint fumes, and diesel fumes can trigger vasomotor rhinitis symptoms. Weather changes, temperature changes, barometric shifts and storm fronts moving into the area can also cause your nose to congest and drain.
Who gets this?
- Those who smoke cigarettes or have significant smoke exposure
- Those who are exposed to dramatic temperature changes like walking outside into the cold or heat, or entering and exiting a building that is a stable temperature during the heat of summer or the cold of winter may have their nose congest and even drain
- The vents blowing on your face at your desk at work or in the car
- Someone who has had a great deal of allergy problems with frequent nasal allergies can suffer from non-allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis
- Someone who has allergic rhinitis and vasomotor rhinitis actually will have a diagnosis of Mixed Rhinitis disease
What can be done?
By having skin testing done or a RAST Immunoglobulin E test you can find out if you have allergies or non-allergic rhinitis. This distinction is important because the medications you use can be different.
