Can chronic rhinitis be cured?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on June 19, 2025
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Chronic rhinitis is curable. It results from the protraction of acute rhinitis or its recurrent flare-ups, leading to nasal symptoms. It causes bilateral nasal congestion which alternately changes. Nasal blockage is lighter during physical activities in the day and becomes worse at night when quiet. Additionally, the nasal passages may produce mucous secretions, and when accompanied by bacterial infections, yellow purulent secretions can occur. Upon examination, both sides of the nasal conchae mucosa can be found congested, edematous, hypertrophic, and thickened. In treating chronic rhinitis, nebulized inhalation therapy can first be used to alleviate local congestion and edema. At the same time, regular physical exercise is necessary to enhance immunity and restore the function of the nasal conchae mucosa, which can gradually improve the rhinitis. However, if chronic rhinitis recurrently flares up and conservative treatment is ineffective, local surgical removal might be needed. Removing part of the inferior turbinate can cure the condition.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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The difference between sinusitis and rhinitis

Rhinitis and sinusitis are common inflammations in our nasal area, frequently occurring and widely prevalent. Rhinitis primarily involves inflammation of the nasal mucosa, while sinusitis specifically refers to inflammation in the sinus cavities and their mucous membranes. These two have different locations of onset. Furthermore, rhinitis is more commonly seen clinically compared to sinusitis, which is less common relative to rhinitis. Moreover, rhinitis is generally treated with medication and seldom requires surgical intervention. In contrast, sinusitis may also require surgical treatment besides medication. Thus, the main differences between them primarily include these aspects. Overall, the fundamental difference between rhinitis and sinusitis lies in their different locations of onset.

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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How to recover from chronic rhinitis?

Chronic rhinitis is very difficult to treat, as it is caused by repeated acute rhinitis resulting in nasal symptoms. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion, which alternates in severity and may become persistently worse in severe cases. Additionally, the nasal cavity may produce abnormal secretions, and yellow secretions may appear when accompanied by bacterial infection. Examination with an endoscope reveals bilateral turbinate mucosal congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and a mulberry-like appearance on the surface, with poor responsiveness to decongestants. During treatment, patients in the acute phase must receive symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment and oral antibiotics. Furthermore, nebulized inhalation is also needed to reduce congestion and edema of the turbinate mucosa along with regular physical exercise to restore the function of the turbinate mucosa. If conservative treatment is ineffective, the patient may require bilateral inferior turbinate partial resection to be cured.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What are the symptoms of rhinitis?

The symptoms of rhinitis are quite varied, and different types of rhinitis have different symptoms. For example, common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include repeated itching of the nose, clear nasal discharge, sneezing, and a certain correlation with seasons or exposure to external allergens. If it is chronic rhinitis, the main symptoms are repeated poor nasal ventilation, accompanied by a runny nose, but generally there is rarely sneezing. In the case of acute rhinitis, the main symptoms are sudden nasal congestion and nasal discharge, which generally consists of viscous mucus, and may also be accompanied by headaches and dizziness. However, acute rhinitis generally has a short duration of illness, with most recoveries occurring around one week.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Where to massage for chronic rhinitis?

Chronic rhinitis can be alleviated by massaging the Yingxiang acupuncture point to relieve nasal congestion. The exact location of the Yingxiang point is about 1~2cm outside the nostril. Using the index finger of one hand to repeatedly massage for 5~10 minutes can relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion and is quite effective in treating chronic rhinitis. However, patients should not rely solely on massage for treatment because it only provides relief and does not cure the condition fundamentally. For treating chronic rhinitis, patients need to undergo medication treatment. Nebulized inhalation therapy has good effects, can effectively shrink the nasal turbinates, reduce nasal secretions, and alleviate nasal congestion. Additionally, regular exercise is needed to shrink nasal turbinates, restore the contractile and relaxing functions of the turbinate mucosa, improve physical fitness, enhance immunity and resistance, and gradual improvement can occur by avoiding colds. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)