How to treat symptoms of rhinitis

Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Updated on April 15, 2025
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Rhinitis is a common and general disease with symptoms that may include a runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, and in severe cases, olfactory disturbances. For treatment, under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist, one can take heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese patent medicines, cephalosporin and macrolide antibiotics, as well as corticosteroid nasal sprays. If necessary, antihistamine medications can also be added. It is important to avoid colds, staying up late, smoking, and drinking alcohol. If symptoms do not significantly improve after treatment, it is advised to visit a hospital for timely treatment to avoid delaying the condition. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 6sec home-news-image

The difference between chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis

The differences between chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis are quite significant. Firstly, we need to consider the causes of the diseases. Allergic rhinitis is mainly caused by the body's own immune response, primarily due to allergens the body encounters externally, which trigger this immune response. Chronic rhinitis, on the other hand, is primarily associated with local inflammation of the nasal mucosa and turbinates, and generally, it is not directly related to the body's own immune system. Another difference lies in the symptoms. The main symptoms of chronic rhinitis include nasal congestion and runny nose, with some patients possibly experiencing headaches or dizziness. In contrast, symptoms of allergic rhinitis mainly include itchy nose, sneezing, and clear nasal discharge, with some patients possibly experiencing nasal congestion. In such cases, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist, allowing an experienced doctor to make a diagnosis, supplemented by additional diagnostic tests.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is chronic rhinitis contagious?

Chronic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. Clinically, it can be divided into simple, hypertrophic, and atrophic types. The treatment generally primarily involves the use of local medications, and typically does not involve the use of antiviral or antibiotic medications. Chronic rhinitis is not contagious. However, it is important to be aware of other conditions that can cause chronic rhinitis, such as tuberculosis-induced rhinitis and syphilitic rhinitis. These are not cases of the rhinitis itself being contagious, but rather the transmission of pathogens, so it cannot be simply stated that chronic rhinitis is contagious. Clinically diagnosed chronic rhinitis is definitively non-contagious.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 3sec home-news-image

How to distinguish between rhinitis and a cold

The distinction between rhinitis and a cold primarily hinges on the following aspects: first and foremost, the specific onset time of the illness. Colds generally occur suddenly and last for a relatively short duration, about a week; whereas the duration of rhinitis may be longer, and some individuals might even experience chronic rhinitis, meaning the onset duration for rhinitis is relatively longer. The second aspect is the symptoms. Cold symptoms may include nasal congestion and a runny nose, but most patients will also exhibit other uncomfortable symptoms, such as sore throat, body aches, or fever. In the case of rhinitis, the primary symptoms are usually nasal, such as congestion, runny nose, and sneezing, and generally, there are rarely any whole-body symptoms. The third method is through an examination of the nasal cavity, which is primarily based on the doctor's experiential judgment. These three aspects essentially allow for the differentiation between rhinitis and a cold.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What causes rhinitis?

There are many causes of rhinitis in clinical settings, such as acute rhinitis, which is primarily due to infections, especially viral infections. Chronic rhinitis has many influencing factors, such as incomplete treatment of acute rhinitis leading to chronic conditions, or originating directly from chronic rhinitis. For instance, physical and chemical irritants, inappropriate use of medications in the nasal cavity, such as rhinitis medicamentosa caused by the use of nasal mucosa constrictors, and some inappropriate self-actions like habitual nose-picking, can all cause chronic rhinitis. Other forms of rhinitis, such as allergic rhinitis, are mainly caused by allergic factors. There is also vasomotor rhinitis, mainly due to inconsistent vasoconstriction, among other reasons. These are the main factors. (For specific medications, please follow the guidance of a professional physician and do not medicate blindly.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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How to maintain chronic rhinitis usually?

Chronic rhinitis is a common and frequently occurring disease in otolaryngology. The maintenance of chronic rhinitis mainly involves keeping warm regularly and wearing a mask when going out as much as possible to avoid exacerbation of nasal mucosa inflammation due to air pollution. Additionally, in daily life one should enhance physical exercise, engage in running, swimming, and other aerobic activities, which can help improve the immune function of the nasal mucosa and reduce the occurrence of nasal congestion. At the same time, patients with chronic rhinitis can use glucocorticoid nasal sprays in their daily life to reduce mucosal swelling and maintain nasal ventilation. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)