Rhinitis

Rhinitis is inflammation of the lining of the nose (`-it is` means inflammation, the Greek for nose is `rhino`) Inflammation of the mucous lining of the nose causes it to swell and increase the production of mucous, so the nose runs and feels blocked.

There are a number of causes:

The common cold is caused by a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (which runs from the nostrils to the larynx, or voice-box). This causes swelling and irritation of all the membrane lining the tract - the nose to cause sneezing, the throat to cause pain, the sinuses to cause headache - as well as mild fever.

There are lots of respiratory viruses that produce similar symptoms, and viral upper respiratory tract infection is one of the most common diseases of childhood. There is no cure, but many agents can help relieve symptoms, and others that may reduce our chances of catching the infection in the first place.

Allergic rhinitis may be seasonal, if we are sensitive to pollen during the hay fever season, or occasional if it’s an allergy to a particular substance, like animal fur. This causes itching and sneezing as well as running of the nose and congestion. If we are sensitive to something that’s present all-year-round, like house dust mite, then it is perennial rhinitis. The symptoms may be helped if we avoid whatever it is we’re allergic to, but this is often not possible. There are treatments available which will suppress the activity of the mucous membrane, and antihistamines might help. Some of the topical agents used can cause the problem to get worse once we stop using them. In severe cases an operation to reduce the area of mucous membrane might help.
 
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