Treatments

Rhinitis Treatments

Treatment for allergic and nonallergic rhinitis depends on how troublesome the symptoms become.

When symptoms are mild, treatments may include:

  • Avoiding things that trigger symptoms, including smoke, pets, strong cleaning products, scented products and plants
  • Using a neti pot to rinse the nasal cavity
  • Using bottled saline spray in the nose
  • Quitting smoking
  • Using the air conditioning rather than having windows open during the allergy season
  • Taking over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines (both oral and nasal) Note: Decongestant nasal sprays shouldn’t be used for more than two to three days at a time because they can cause rebound congestion.

When symptoms become severe, your physician may suggest:

  • Prescription corticosteroids to reduce swelling of nasal passages
  • Prescription antihistamine nasal spray
  • Prescription inhalers to control asthma
  • Immunotherapy 
  • Surgery to remove nasal polyps or repair a deviated septum