What is vasomotor rhinitis?
Vasomotor rhinitis is a runny nose that is not caused by an
allergy or cold. Other names for this problem are idiopathic
rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis.
How does it occur?
Vasomotor rhinitis is caused by tissue in the nose that is
sensitive to changes in environmental conditions such as
temperature, humidity, and the presence of irritants. Examples of
irritants are smoke, dryness, smog, and perfume. In response to
these conditions or irritants, the nose makes more mucous.
What are the symptoms?
The common symptom is a runny nose. Unlike allergic rhinitis,
there is usually no itching or sneezing. You may have a stuffy
nose (nasal congestion).
How is it diagnosed?
There is no specific test for the diagnosis of vasomotor rhinitis.
Your healthcare provider reviews your medical and family history.
The diagnosis is suspected from your history and when other
possible causes of symptoms have been eliminated.
Your healthcare provider may swab the lining of your nose to
obtain a sample of mucus. The mucus will be examined for the
presence of allergy cells (eosinophils). These cells are rarely
present in people who have vasomotor rhinitis. However, they are
not always present in people whose rhinitis is caused by
allergies, so the test is not always helpful.
How is it treated?
If treatment is necessary, it is often helpful to base it on the
main symptom.
- If a runny nose is the only symptom, then a nasal spray
containing the medicine ipratropium is the first choice.
- If nasal congestion is the only symptom, nasal steroid sprays
usually work best.
If you have more than 1 symptom or if the medicines mentioned
above are not working, then the first choice may be a prescription
antihistamine (azelastine) that you can spray into your nose.
Antihistamine tablets are for allergies and do not usually help
vasomotor rhinitis, but spraying the prescription antihistamine
directly into the nose is helpful for most people with this
problem.
Getting some exercise may help your nose become less congested.
How long will the effects last?
The condition is usually lifelong. However, you may reduce the
symptoms by avoiding the irritants in your environment that seem
to cause problems for you.
What can be done to help prevent vasomotor rhinitis?
There is no known prevention.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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This
information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers
but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical
treatment. You should speak to your physician or make
an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about
this information or your medical condition.