Curriculum · ENT, Ophthalmology, and Dermatology
Management of chronic rhinitis
What it is
Chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis are the noninfectious conditions behind a nose that stays blocked and wet. Symptoms on more than 4 days per week and for more than 4 weeks place allergic rhinitis in the persistent category, and it is that category which sets the treatment.
Causes and risk
Before treatment, ask what the patient takes and what has been done to the nose. The medications that themselves cause nasal obstruction are antithyroid medications, antihypertensive medications, alpha blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, hydralazine, some antidepressants, benzodiazepines and oral contraceptives. Intranasal cocaine causes septum perforation, and overuse of a topical nasal decongestant is a cause in its own right.