What Are the Treatments for Nonallergic Rhinitis?

Home Treatment

• Use humidifiers at work and home. Warm humidity will help relieve stuffiness and loosen up mucus. Blow your nose regularly. Remain hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids, but avoid caffeinated beverages, which can aggravate your symptoms. Use a bulb syringe and rinse your nasal passages frequently to remove irritants. Flush the inside of your nose with a homemade saltwater solution or over-the-counter saline nasal spray to thin the mucus.
  
  

Decongestants

• Decongestants sprays or tablets are primarily used for congestion. Decongestant tablets like pseudoephedrine are available over the counter or by prescription. They reduce congestion by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose but can also cause side effects such as nervousness or insomnia. Another option is a decongestant spray like oxymetazoline. Do not use decongestant sprays for longer than three or four days. They can cause your congestion to worsen after you stop using them.
  
  

Antihistamines

• Try antihistamine sprays. Oral antihistamines do not seem to help treat nonallergic rhinitis, but antihistamine sprays such as azelastine may reduce itching, sneezing, congestion and other nonallergic rhinitis symptoms. However, the effectiveness of antihistamines can vary. They are most helpful to people who suffer from both nonallergic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis and whose main symptoms are runny noses.
  
  

Anticholinergics

• The anticholinergic drug ipratromium is commonly used as an asthma inhaler medication but is also available as a nasal spray. Less than 10 percent of people who use ipratromium nasal spray suffer from any side effects. Consider using ipratromium nasal spray if your main symptom is a runny nose.
  
  

Nasal Corticosteroids

• Nasal corticosteroid sprays are another nonallergic rhinitis treatment. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid medication such as fluticasone or mometasone if other treatments prove unhelpful. Corticosteroid sprays are useful for controlling sneezing, congestion, runny nose and itching associated with some types of nonallergic rhinitis.
  
  

Surgery

• Consider surgery if other nonallergic rhinitis treatments are ineffective. Surgery may be used in conjunction with other treatments. Vidian neurectomy surgery is most useful for treating a runny nose. Cryosurgery is an affective surgery for congestion, but after surgery there may be prolonged congestion and the possibility of nasal damage. Consult your doctor for other surgery options and treatment recommendations.