Vasomotor Rhinitis

When the tissues within your nose become inflamed (swollen), it results in vasomotor rhinitis. Stuffy or runny noses are among the uncomfortable symptoms that most people associate with allergies due to inflammation.

But unlike allergies (allergic rhinitis), exposure to allergens such as mold, pollen, pet dander, etc. does not cause vasomotor rhinitis. Neither bacteria nor viruses are the cause of it. Alternatively, alterations in the weather, specific scents, food, exercise, drugs, or other nose-irritating stimuli may produce symptoms.

Myalgia rhinitis is another name for vasomotor rhinitis. A form of nonallergic rhinitis is this.

For whom is vasomotor rhinitis likely to occur?

Vasomotor rhinitis can strike anyone, however most cases are diagnosed after the age of 20. Most diagnoses happen in the age range of 30 to 60. It affects more women and those who are born with a female gender assignment.

Is vasomotor rhinitis common?

In developed nations, up to half of the population suffers from allergic and nonallergic rhinitis, including vasomotor rhinitis. 15% to 50% of these cases are related to vasomotor rhinitis.

Signs and Origins

How can vasomotor rhinitis occur?

In contrast to allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis is not caused by sensitivity to a particular allergen such as mold, dust mites, or tree pollen. Rather, several factors could result in symptoms. It’s possible that those who have vasomotor rhinitis are more sensitive to certain chemicals and environmental cues than the average person, but only in higher doses.

This diagnosis may be made if you have nasal irritation and associated symptoms that have no apparent reason.

How does vasomotor rhinitis start?

Reactions might be triggered by environmental factors, medications, or even hormonal fluctuations.

Environmental catalysts

Your environment has the power to awaken your senses and elicit a response. Typical environmental cues include:

• A decrease in body temperature.
• Smog or air pollution.
• Air that is chilly or dry.
• Cologne or perfume.
• Smoke from cigarettes.
• Paint fumes.
• Hot cuisine.
• Tension.

What signs of rhinitis vasomotor are present?

In contrast to allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis symptoms typically manifest throughout the year. As opposed to being seasonal, as is the case with seasonal allergies, symptoms appear whenever a trigger is present.

Vasomotor rhinitis symptoms include:

• Stuffy nose.
• Runny nose.
• Dripping from the nose.
• Sneezing.
• Reduced ability to smell.

Occasionally, a foul-smelling crust develops inside your nose as a result of vasomotor rhinitis. Attempting to remove the crust may cause bleeding from the inside nasal tissues.

Diagnoses and Examinations

How is rhinitis without an allergy diagnosed?

A medical professional can identify vasomotor rhinitis by performing a physical examination of your throat and nose as well as reviewing your past medical records. Additional tests may sometimes support your diagnosis.

• Allergy testing: To rule out the potential that allergies are the cause of your symptoms, your provider might advise allergy testing. A skin prick or blood sample is used in allergy testing, exposing your body to trace levels of allergens. After that, your blood is tested for antibodies produced in reaction to certain antigens. For this test, you might require a referral to an allergist.
• Nasal endoscopy: In rare instances, medical professionals use an endoscope, a long, flexible tube, to inspect the interior of your nose and nasal passages. A healthcare professional can find nasal polyps or other issues that could be the source of your symptoms during the examination. Nasal polyps are tissue growths in your sinuses or nasal passages that are not malignant.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan might be suggested by your doctor. This examination makes fine-grained images of the inside of your nose using X-rays. They can reveal whether your symptoms are being caused by structural abnormalities such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps.
• Nasal inspiratory flow test: To find out how much air enters your lungs during an inhalation, your doctor could prescribe a nasal inspiratory flow test. It can identify nasal channel blockages that might be the source of your symptoms.