Anyone else have non allergenic, chronic rhinitis?

Hi, @gillytrue - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. As non-allergic, chronic rhinitis does not appear to be a clear, separate topic at this time and I thought it warranted it, I pulled your post into its own discussion.

This is how Mayo Clinic describes non-allergic rhinitis: Nonallergic rhinitis involves sneezing or a stuffy, drippy nose. It can be a long-term problem, and it has no clear cause. The symptoms are like those of hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis. But nonallergic rhinitis isn't caused by allergies. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonallergic-rhinitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351229

A few members who have talked about rhinitis, allergic or otherwise, include @jw9 @bride @jdbarr1 @cjblair @bee915 @nancif18131716 @johnhenson30. @nrd1 may also be familiar with this, as may be @sueinmn.

gillytrue - will you share more about your interest in non-allergic rhinitis? Is this something you have been diagnosed with? If so, will you share how you are preventing reactions?

I was diagnosed with non-allergenic chronic rhinitis about 10 years ago along with asthma. I struggle with symptoms because using usual OTC products don't help. I have never met anyone else with this diagnosis.

@gillytrue - I personally have allergic rhinitis along with asthma. I've heard of nonallergic rhinitis.

I also thought you might like to meet @jenniferhunter, who may have familiarity with your condition or otherwise have some thoughts for you.

Was this diagnosed easily for you, or was it a long road to getting it diagnosed?

First time I went to the allergy doctor: skin tests were all negative; non- allergenic rhinitis and asthma diagnosed immediately.

@gillytrue My dad always had a runny nose later in life. I don't think it was allergies and he wasn't taking antihistamines. One condition that can be associated with asthma is having a low-grade infection in sinuses or lungs. I think I suffer from that along with allergies. I was diagnosed with eosinophilic or E - asthma. Periodically, I need to use an antibiotic ointment (Mupirocin) in my nose to clear this out. This came from a pre-surgery protocol to clear any staph infections in nasal passages, and it works for me, so my doctors give me a prescription. My symptoms are that my lungs build some phlegm as it tries to clean out any bacteria or irritants such as air pollution, smoke or fragrances. My lungs are pretty reactive. I also have some physical issues with muscle tightness in my chest because of having Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ( TOS ), so that kind of traps the phlegm. It needs to keep moving or it can progress into an infection. I notice when my resting heart rate goes up a little bit because of phlegm interfering with oxygen absorption. One of my dental providers says that asthma is caused by an infection, and she recommends drinking a specific coffee every day that helps combat the infection. I don't have details of how this is supposed to work. I do know that caffeine helps me clear phlegm when I drink coffee, but too much of that isn't great either.

Have you tried HEPA air filtration at home, or avoiding fragrances in cleaning products and detergents? I know this helps me. That is probably considered an irritant rather than an allergy.

I have had a chronic low grade rhinitis since I got scarlet fever at 15. Now 86. Maybe a very low grade infection. Try to avoid antibiotics because either resistant or problematical side effects. Have allergies but rhinitis is year round. So use a neti pot and take guafenesin when it gets too annoying.

@jenniferhunter
Appreciate all the info. I do try to keep scented products to a minimum.
The coffee interests me. Ill have to see if I can found out more about that. Thanks

@ailsas
What is guafenesin?

@gillytrue - I'll let @ailsas chime in, too, but I personally took guaifenesin pills all through graduate school, prescribed by my primary care doctor locally, to stifle my coughing. No one knew at that time that my coughing was due to asthma, but it worked well enough to deal with that symptom.

Here is some Mayo Clinic information on this medication:

- Guaifenesin (oral route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/guaifenesin-oral-route/description/drg-20068720

@gillytrue my daughter has the official diagnosis s well. Two separate allergy tests showed zero allergies, yet she is symptomatic all the time time. Doc said she is so sensitive/reactive to things it causes a similar reaction, even blowing her nose the little particles on the tissue can set her off. Allergist & ENT agreed she should be on the SENSATIVE Verimist as it is fragrance free. Has made a huge difference. 🙂