NON- Contact Us Phone: (843) 863-1188 Fax: (843) 863-8286 ALLERGIC Website: www.lowcountryent.com

______OVERVIEW: Low Country ENT Non- EAR, NOSE & THROAT · HEAD & involves chronic SURGERY · HEARING AIDS · BALANCE TESTING· TESTING & sneezing or having a IMMUNOTHERAPY congested, drippy nose with no apparent cause. This disease is both annoying and inconvenient.

LOW COUNTRY ENT 2580 Tricom St. N. Charleston, SC 29406

The most common symptoms of taking over-the-counter or prescription are: medications.

• Stuffy nose Triggers of persistent non- • Runny nose allergic rhinitis • Sneezing • Postnasal drip • Irritation of the nose by smoke, strong smells, fumes, chemicals, • Unlike the allergic form, nonallergic changes in temperature or humidity. rhinitis rarely causes itchy nose, eyes Hormonal changes during pregnancy or throat. • and puberty, which can sometimes cause nose symptoms. Diagnosis and Treatment • Food and drink – mainly hot, spicy It is important to have an accurate diagnosis food, or alcohol. Sensitivity to so you can manage your condition certain food coloring or appropriately. Because the symptoms are so preservatives may be a cause. similar. • Emotion such as stress or can sometimes affect the • Your doctor can diagnose non-allergic nose. rhinitis after ruling out other causes of

your symptoms. • If you have symptoms of non-allergic Nonallergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis, your doctor will first perform tests to see if an allergy or other health problem rhinitis) is a condition that causes chronic is causing your rhinitis. To determine if you sneezing, congestion, or runny nose. While have an allergy, your doctor may order a these symptoms are like those of allergic skin test to identify you have, or a rhinitis(hay fever), nonallergic rhinitis is blood test. • Your doctor may also order tests to see if different because, unlike an allergy, it doesn’t you have any sinus problems that may be involve the immune system. An allergic reaction causing your rhinitis. Tests may include a occurs when the immune system overreacts to nasal endoscope to look inside your nose an otherwise harmless substance known as an or a CT scan of your sinuses. allergen. • If your doctor can’t find any underlying cause for your rhinitis, they’ll make a diagnosis of vasomotor rhinitis (non- Symptoms allergic rhinitis) Airborne pollutants or odors, certain foods or • Nonallergic rhinitis cannot be cured, beverages, some medications, changes in the but many people find weather or underlying chronic health problems • relief by avoiding triggers, using can all trigger symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis. a saline rinse solution or by These symptoms can come and go, or be constant.