Rhinitis Medicamentosa – The Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
If you have irritated and inflamed the mucous membrane in your nose, rhinitis may occur. It is known as hay fever when caused by allergies. Rhinitis medicamentosa, also known as rebound congestion, is a less common form of this condition. It can occur when a nasal congestion is overused. The medication further irritates your nasal linings, rather than making you feel better.
While rhinitis medicamentosa is not prevalent, you may be at risk if you are regularly taking nasals such as phenylephrine or oxymetazoline (Zicam), for instance (4-way nasal spray or neophrine). Visit your nearest allergy and asthma clinic for treating the condition if it puts you in grace trouble.
The Causes
Rebound congestion is caused by overuse of nasal decongestants according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Since the medicine is applied to your nose directly, you are quickly relieved. The blood vessels will stop reacting to the medication over time.
Your congestion only gets worse if you continue to use the nasal spray. This leads to an overuse and dependency cycle. This may lead to more serious nasal problems if the duration of this cycle lasts too long.
Symptoms
Persistent nasal congestion without any allergy symptoms
Nasal congestion that is persistent and occurs without any allergy triggers
Nasal congestion worsening with increasing nasal spray frequency and dosage
Therapy
You must stop using nasal spray to effectively treat rhinitis medicamentosa. Your doctor at our allergy and asthma clinic may allow you to diminish your use gradually rather than stop abruptly.
A saline nasal spray may be recommended by your doctor to ease mild congestion. There are no chemicals in this saltwater solution which irritates your nasal passage.
Your doctor may prescribe an oral steroid to help reduce inflammation in order to treat more severe congestion.
Prevention
The first thing you can do to prevent rhinitis is to read the label on your decongestant carefully. It should explain the frequency and time of use of the medication. Follow the directions on the label unless your doctor has directed otherwise.
When using the decongestant, you should also be very careful how your symptoms change. Tell your doctor sooner rather than later if there is no change. You can find relief more quickly in this way. You can also contribute to reducing the chance of developing rhinitis drugs.
The treatment of rhinitis should not be skipped by nasal decongestants for fear of rhinitis. If you can use these medicines otherwise, try them. Just know that you can only use them in the short term. See us at OKOA for treatment regarding allergy, cold or other symptoms. You can consult our ENT specialists for needs.
**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.