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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of Chronic Rhinitis

Chronic rhinitis is generally caused by the prolongation of acute rhinitis or recurrent attacks, resulting in nasal symptoms. Patients may experience bilateral nasal congestion, which alternates, being less severe during physical activity in the daytime and more severe at night when quiet. Additionally, mucous-like discharge can occur in the nasal cavity. When accompanied by bacterial infection, yellow or green discharge may appear. During examination, patients may find significant congestion and edema on the middle and inferior turbinates, and abnormal secretions adhering to the middle nasal meatus or common nasal channel. In treatment, chronic rhinitis can initially be managed with nebulized inhalation to alleviate congestion and edema of the turbinates. Concurrently, exercising can enhance immunity and resistance, restore the function of the nasal mucosa, and subsequently lead to recovery from chronic rhinitis.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Chronic rhinitis has no symptoms.

Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease. If there are currently no clinical symptoms, generally, it may not require special treatment, but regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor any changes in the condition. If the inflammatory reaction of chronic rhinitis is severe and accompanied by related clinical symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness, it is important to seek medical attention promptly. Procedures like nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, and in some cases, a sinus CT scan might be needed. Common treatments include oral medications and nasal sprays. During the treatment, regular check-ups are essential to observe the recovery process. (Specific medications should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How should chronic rhinitis be treated?

Chronic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease with various clinical symptoms. The common manifestations include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. In terms of treatment, it initially requires some nasopharyngoscopic and sinus CT examinations, which help to clarify the specific degree of chronic rhinitis and rule out any sinusitis. Generally, oral medications and nasal sprays should be considered, including traditional Chinese patent medicines orally, corticosteroid nasal sprays, and nasal irrigation with saline solution. The general treatment period is about one to two weeks. After medication, regular follow-up checks are necessary to observe the recovery process. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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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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Which is more serious, chronic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis?

Chronic rhinitis primarily involves inflammation of the nasal mucosa, submucosal tissues, nasal conchae, tympanic membrane, and even the bones. Allergic disease mainly involves allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. There is no clear distinction in severity between chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. If chronic rhinitis tends towards an atrophic progression, then it is relatively serious. Allergic rhinitis, with its recurrent episodes, causes allergic cough and allergic asthma, which also signifies a relatively serious condition. Therefore, both chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis require active treatment, rather than distinguishing which one is more severe or which condition is milder. All issues should be actively treated.