[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Mucus plays a role in rhinitis. Your nose produces a fluid called mucus. This fluid is normally thin and clear. It helps to keep dust, debris, and allergens out of your lungs. Mucus traps particles like dust and pollen, as well as bacteria and viruses. Mucus usually drains down the back of your throat. You\u2019re not aware of it most of the time because it is a small amount and is thin.2<\/sup><\/p>\n When you have rhinitis, your nose may produce more mucus. This mucus can become thick and pale yellow. It may begin to flow from the front of your nose as well as the back.1<\/sup><\/p>\n When more mucus drains down the back of your throat, substances in the mucus may irritate it and cause coughing. This is called postnasal drip.3<\/sup>\u00a0<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Callout – On this page” module_id=”what-are-nasal-allergies” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ link_line_height=”1.7em” ul_line_height=”1.7em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#F5EDDF” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n On this page:<\/strong><\/p>\n What causes rhinitis?<\/a> [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content – What Causes Rhinitis?” module_id=”what-causes-rhinitis” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Irritants or allergens (substances that cause an allergic response) may cause rhinitis. The cells of your body react to these irritants or allergens by releasing histamine<\/em> and other chemicals.1<\/sup><\/p>\n Rhinitis is often temporary. It clears up on its own after a few days for many people. This is acute rhinitis. In other people, especially people with allergies, rhinitis can be chronic. Chronic means it is almost always present or recurs often. Rhinitis can last for weeks to months if you are exposed to your allergens.1<\/sup><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content – What Are the Types of Rhinitis?” module_id=”what-are-types-rhinitis” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There are several types of rhinitis:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content – What Are the Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis?” module_id=”what-are-symptoms-rhinitis” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Rhinitis symptoms include:1<\/sup>,<\/sup>5<\/sup><\/p>\n Some of these symptoms are similar to other conditions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content – How Do I Know If I Have Allergies or a Cold?” module_id=”allergies-cold” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between allergies and the common cold. There are more than a hundred strains of cold viruses. They can spread at different times of the year, which is why you may mistake a cold for a seasonal allergy. Allergies usually occur at the same time every year and last as long as the allergen is in the air (usually 2-3 weeks per allergen). Allergies cause itching of the nose and eyes along with other nasal symptoms. Colds last about 1 week and cause less itching of the nose and eyes.4<\/sup><\/p>\n AAFA\u2019s respiratory illness symptom chart<\/a> can help you learn what is similar and what is different between seasonal allergies and other conditions, such as asthma, colds, COVID-19, flu, and RSV.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content – How Does a Doctor Diagnose Rhinitis?” module_id=”diagnose-rhinitis” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you have new rhinitis caused by an illness, you can visit your primary care doctor for treatment.5<\/sup>,<\/sup>6<\/sup><\/p>\n When you have chronic (long-term) rhinitis, see a board-certified allergist if possible. They can help determine the cause and come up with a treatment plan.<\/p>\n Your doctor will diagnose rhinitis based on your medical history, symptoms, a physical exam, and test results.\u00a0Your doctor may recommend allergy testing<\/a>\u00a0to help determine if you are allergic to a specific substance. This may be either a blood test or skin test.1<\/sup><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content – What Are the Treatments for Allergic Rhinitis?” module_id=”treatment-rhinitis” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The best way to prevent allergic rhinitis is to avoid your allergens. But that is not always possible. When prevention is not enough, there are medicines and steps you can take to control your symptoms.<\/p>\n Certain over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines, such as corticosteroid [kor-tick-OH-stair-ROID] nasal sprays and antihistamines may help reduce allergy symptoms. Talk with your doctor about what medicines may be right for you.5<\/sup><\/p>\n If other treatments and steps are not working, allergy shots (immunotherapy [eh-mu-no-THER-ah-pee]) can be very effective. Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment (3-5 years) that can help prevent or reduce the severity of allergic reactions triggered by allergens. It can change the course of allergic disease by reducing the body\u2019s immune response to allergens. There are 2 types of immunotherapy: allergy shots and sublingual (under-the-tongue) immunotherapy. Talk with your allergist to see if immunotherapy is right for you.5<\/sup><\/p>\n For more information about available medicine options that may help you manage allergic rhinitis, see our \u201cAllergy Medicine Guide<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content – How Can I Prevent Allergic Rhinitis?” module_id=”how-to-prevent-rhinitis” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The first and best option is to avoid contact with your allergens. But that isn\u2019t always possible. Medicine can help, but it may not give you complete relief. A combination of medicine, reducing your exposure to allergens, and improving your indoor air quality may be best. Here are some ways to help you control and prevent allergic rhinitis:4<\/sup><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Callout – Allergy Medicine Guide – NEW” module_id=”what-are-nasal-allergies” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ link_line_height=”1.7em” ul_line_height=”1.7em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#F5EDDF” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_module=”16360″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There are many over-the-counter or prescription medicines to help you find allergy relief. For seasonal allergies, start your allergy medicines a couple weeks before your allergy season for best results. Talk with your doctor about your allergy treatment plan. \u00a0If you do not get complete relief from medicines, there are other treatment options.<\/p>\n AAFA’s Allergy Medicine Guide<\/strong> <\/a>explains the options available.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Medical Review: March 2026 by Med Communications, Inc.<\/a><\/p>\n \u200b<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”References 2 – Accordion” module_id=”references” module_class=”accord pa-accordion” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” height=”24″ custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” custom_css_free_form=”.et_pb_toggle_title:before {|| font-size: 20px;|| position: absolute;|| color: #FFFFFF;|| font-family: ETmodules !important;|| font-weight: 400 !important;|| content: %22%924c%22 !important;|| right: 2% !important;|| display: inline-block !important;||}||.accord .et_pb_toggle_content {|| color: #008c99;|| font-size: 16px;|| font-weight: 500;||}” border_width_all=”0px” global_module=”8665″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”References” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]
What are the types of rhinitis?<\/a>
What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?<\/a>
How do I know if I have allergies or a cold?<\/a>
How do doctors diagnose rhinitis?<\/a>
What is the treatment for rhinitis?<\/a>
How can I prevent rhinitis?<\/a><\/p>\nWhat Causes Rhinitis?<\/h3>\n
What Are the Types of Rhinitis?<\/h3>\n
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What Are the Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis?<\/h3>\n
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How Do I Know If I Have Allergies or a Cold?<\/h3>\n
How Does a Doctor Diagnose Rhinitis?<\/h3>\n
What Are the Treatments for Allergic Rhinitis?<\/h3>\n
How Can I Prevent Allergic Rhinitis?<\/h3>\n
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