Does cold medicine treat rhinitis?

Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
Updated on March 07, 2025
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Colds are mainly caused by the infection of our upper respiratory tract by various pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, mycoplasma, etc. Rhinitis is usually related to infections, and a cold can trigger rhinitis. However, other factors, such as allergies or temperature changes, can also produce symptoms similar to a cold. Therefore, cold medicines often contain medications for treating rhinitis, so some patients experiencing rhinitis may find cold medicines to be effective. However, besides containing rhinitis medications, cold medicines also include fever reducers and vasoconstrictive cough suppressants. Thus, to treat rhinitis, it is still better to use proper rhinitis medications instead of substituting them with cold medicines. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor to avoid self-medication.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Difference between Allergic Rhinitis and Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis and rhinitis are issues of a specific concept versus a broader concept. Allergic rhinitis is a type of rhinitis caused by a hypersensitivity reaction, which is an allergic response of the body leading to inflammation of the nasal passages. Rhinitis, however, includes allergic rhinitis as well as chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, etc. Thus, it's a matter of differentiating between a more specific and a general concept. Clinically, it is particularly important to differentiate their diagnosis and treatment. For example, the primary treatment for allergic rhinitis is anti-allergy medication, whereas treatments for conditions like chronic and atrophic rhinitis are completely different. Therefore, it is crucial to differentiate these accurately in clinical practice to ensure the correct medication is used.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can rhinitis be cured completely?

There are many types of rhinitis, but in general, it is difficult to cure completely. Most cases of rhinitis focus on controlling and alleviating the condition. Common types of rhinitis include chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, and dry rhinitis. Generally, the treatment for these types of rhinitis primarily involves medication, with nasal sprays and oral medications being more commonly used. In daily life, using physiological saline to clean the nasal cavity can be considered, but the main focus is on controlling and alleviating the condition. From the existing methods, it is still difficult to achieve a complete cure, and there may be some recurrence. However, overall, the illness of rhinitis itself does not pose a significant danger to overall health; therefore, through conservative treatment, the condition can generally be stabilized and controlled well.

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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 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
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Is chronic rhinitis contagious?

Chronic rhinitis primarily refers to the chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. Clinically, it is classified into three types based on pathology: simple rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, and atrophic rhinitis. From its classification, it can be seen that chronic rhinitis is not contagious. Clinically, it mainly manifests as nasal congestion, congestion of the nasal mucosa, nasal enlargement, etc. Therefore, it is not contagious. However, it is important to note that chronic rhinitis can sometimes acutely exacerbate under certain special conditions. During an acute exacerbation of chronic rhinitis, the nasal mucosa becomes highly congested, and secretion increases, which may be somewhat contagious under these circumstances. Therefore, analysis should be based on specific conditions. In summary, chronic rhinitis is not contagious.