|
McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Vasomotor Rhinitis
What is vasomotor rhinitis?
Vasomotor rhinitis is a runny nose that does not appear to
be caused by an allergy or cold.
How does it occur?
Vasomotor rhinitis is caused by small blood vessels in the
nose that are sensitive to changes in environmental
conditions such as temperature, humidity, and the presence
of irritants. Examples of irritants are smoke, dryness,
smog, and perfume. The nose responds to these irritants
with increased mucous production or nasal congestion or
both.
What are the symptoms?
The common symptom is a runny nose. Unlike allergic
rhinitis, there is usually no itching or sneezing. You may
have slight nasal congestion.
How is it diagnosed?
At this time there is no specific test for the diagnosis of
vasomotor rhinitis. Your health care provider reviews your
medical and family history. The diagnosis is suspected from
your history and when other possible causes of symptoms have
been eliminated.
Your health care provider may swab the lining of your nose
to obtain a sample of mucus. The mucus will be examined for
the presence of allergy cells (eosinophils). These cells
are rarely present in people who have vasomotor rhinitis.
However, they are not always present in people whose
rhinitis is caused by allergies, so the test is not always
helpful.
How is it treated?
If treatment is necessary, nasal steroids are usually
effective. You may use them on a regular basis, once or
twice a day, to prevent symptoms.
How long will the effects last?
The condition is usually lifelong. However, you may reduce
the symptoms by avoiding the irritants in your environment
that seem to cause problems.
What can be done to help prevent vasomotor rhinitis?
There is no known prevention.
|