Rhinitis Flashcards
Allergic/ non allergic
What type of hypersensitivity is involved in allergic rhinitis?
IgE-mediated allergic reaction (type I hypersensitivity)
What are the main symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
Sneezing, nasal itching, nasal discharge, and nasal congestion
What are the two types of allergic rhinitis?
- Intermittent
(symptoms <4 days/week or <4 weeks) - Persistent (symptoms >4 days/week and >4 weeks)
What is an allergic crease?
A line on the nose from repeated itching due to allergic rhinitis
How is allergic rhinitis classified?
- Mild
(no significant impact on daily life) - Moderate-severe
(affects sleep, daily activities, or work/school)
How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?
Skin prick test or blood IgE measurement if diagnostic doubt exists
What is the first-line management for allergic rhinitis?
Allergen avoidance
What is Non-Allergic Rhinitis?
Inflammation of the inside of the nose that is not caused by an allergy
What happens in the pathophysiology of non-allergic rhinitis?
Swelling and inflammation of the nasal lining, blocking nasal passages and stimulating mucus glands
What are the main symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis?
Rhinorrhoea, sneezing, itchy nose, and nasal congestion
What are the complications of non-allergic rhinitis?
Sinusitis and nasal polyps
A 27-year-old man presents to the clinic with a 4-week history of nasal obstruction, clear nasal discharge and a cough at night.
He has a background of asthma which is controlled using a salbutamol PRN inhaler and Clenil inhaler. Routine blood tests show a normal FBC and renal function
What is the most appropriate management?
Intranasal corticosteroids
You review a 25-year-old man who has allergic rhinitis. He has been using intranasal oxymetazoline which he bought from the local chemist for the past 10 days. What is the main side-effect of using topical decongestants for prolonged periods?
Tachyphylaxis
= drug becomes less effective very quickly
= Intranasal decongestants
(e.g. oxymetazoline) should not be used for prolonged periods as If someone uses them too often, they stop working and can even cause worse congestion
A 24-year-old female presents with complaints of sneezing, watery eyes, itchy nose and eyes, nasal congestion, and clear rhinorrhoea. She reports these symptoms have been ongoing for the past 2 weeks and are especially bothersome during the day. Her past medical history is unremarkable. On physical examination, there is erythema and oedema of the nasal mucosa
What is the most likely diagnosis?
allergic rhinitis
