Rhinitis is one of the most common conditions in the UK; it is estimated that 1 in 4 people will suffer with this condition at some point in their lives. Rhinitis is a condition which causes the inside of the nose to become inflamed; this may be triggered by exposure to an allergen (allergic rhinitis) or it may be a result of a viral infection or a condition which causes the nose to become sensitive to environmental factors (non-allergic rhinitis).
Symptoms of rhinitis
Many of the symptoms of rhinitis are similar to those associated with the common cold; these include:
- Itchy nose
- Sneezing
- Blocked nose
- Pain around the nose
Treating rhinitis
Many cases of rhinitis do not require treatment because the cause of infection runs its course within 2 weeks. Antihistamines can help to ease the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis; these are available in many different forms including tablets, creams and sprays.