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