Abstract:
The term rhinitis implies inflammation of the lining of the nose. Characteristic symptoms are a blocked nose, anterior and posterior
rhinorrhea, sneezing and itching. Not all cases of chronic rhinitis have an allergic basis. Chronic non-allergic rhinitis is defined as a
condition where ongoing rhinitic symptoms are present for many months (as for persistent allergic rhinitis) but there is no IgE basis. Many
common conditions may present as chronic rhinitis, which will need to be investigated and managed on their own merits. Not all cases of
chronic rhinitis respond to allergic rhinitis therapy: continued attempts to manage chronic rhinitis as allergic rhinitis may be hampered by
pathophysiological conditions where other specific therapy may be required. Chronic rhinitis impacts on patient quality of life, and therefore
therapy is important. Managing patients with chronic rhinitis requires attention to patient education in order to achieve the maximal
therapeutic benefit of medication. This update is intended to provide clinicians with a sound basis for management of a common condition.
