Understanding the Difference Between Environmental and Allergic Rhinitis

Rhinitis gives people the familiar unpleasant symptoms that inflame their sinuses and cause cold-like symptoms, but it’s not always from the same cause. Treating your rhinitis means learning whether it’s caused by allergies or environmental factors.

Your nose helps with breathing, and when air travels through it, your sinuses help it pass through and humidify it as it moves. Divided into separate parts (ethmoid, maxillary, frontal, and sphenoid), these hollow spaces behind your nose are lined with mucosa, keeping everything moist and emptying through your nasopharynx into your throat.

Sinus conditions are sadly common, whether caused by viruses, bacteria, or various forms of rhinitis. This becomes more common in the spring, especially if you have allergies or issues with specific environmental conditions. However, getting the right treatment for your rhinitis relies on knowing which type you have, so let’s learn the differences.

The medical team at Lake Grove ENT assists Lake Oswego, Oregon, residents with a range of sinus conditions throughout the year, including rhinitis, whether or not it is allergy-related.

Understanding environmental rhinitis

This form of nonallergic rhinitis, also referred to as vasomotor rhinitis, develops from many particles and other materials in the world around you, including things like paint fumes, air pollution, cigarette smoke, perfumes, colognes, and toxins. Spicy foods and weather changes can trigger this type of rhinitis, including sudden temperature drops or dry air.

Rhinitis can also happen because of various medications, like ACE inhibitors, alpha blockers, beta blockers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hormone medications, antidepressants, and some sedatives.

Facts about allergic rhinitis

The condition most people are familiar with this time of year is hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, which results from an adverse reaction to specific harmless substances your immune system recognizes as harmful to the body, called allergens. When you’re exposed to these allergens, your body produces histamines to defend itself, which causes the symptoms you experience.

Pollen often triggers allergic reactions during this time of year, but several allergens can cause them, including grass, mold, pet dander, and dust mites. Both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis share similar signs, including diminished sense of smell, postnasal drip, a stuffy nose, and sneezing.

Differences and treatment options

While both types of rhinitis cause many sinus issues and are triggered by particular items, allergic rhinitis is far more likely to cause itching, hives (irritated, raised welts on your skin), watery eyes, eczema-like symptoms, and headaches.

Treatment approaches vary by rhinitis type; for example, allergy shots are less likely to be effective for nonallergic rhinitis. Allergy testing can root out allergens as being responsible for your symptoms, and some methods, like antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids, can help both.

Whether you have allergic or nonallergic rhinitis, you’ll need help to manage the symptoms, so make an appointment with the medical staff at Lake Grove ENT today to get relief.