Non-allergic rhinitis

Symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis

The most common symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis are:

• a blocked or runny nose
• sneezing
• a sore throat
• a feeling that mucus is slowly dripping down the back of your throat (post-nasal drip)

Causes of non-allergic rhinitis

Common causes of non-allergic rhinitis include:

• changes in the weather, such as temperature or humidity
• exercising
• smoke, perfume and paint fumes
• alcohol and spicy food
• hormone changes in pregnancy or puberty, or from taking medicines such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the combined contraceptive pill or the progesterone-only contraceptive pill
• conditions such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• medicines such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, aspirin, and anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen
• using decongestant nasal sprays for longer than it says on the packet

Things you can do if you have non-allergic rhinitis

Non-allergic rhinitis is not harmful, but it can affect your life.

You can often treat it without seeing a GP.

Try to avoid the things that trigger your symptoms, if you can.

A pharmacist can advise you about medicines that can help, such as:

• antihistamines
• nasal sprays to unblock your nose
• salt water nasal sprays or solutions to rinse out the inside of your nose

You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than a week. Using them for longer than this can make the problem worse.

Treatments for non-allergic rhinitis from a GP

If needed, a GP may prescribe stronger medicine, such as prescription nasal sprays.

They may also change any medicine you're taking if they think it may be causing your symptoms.

You may be referred to a specialist for further tests and treatment if your symptoms are severe or it's not clear what's causing them.