The two categories of rhinitis are:

* Allergic rhinitis
There are two types of allergic rhinitis:
seasonal – occurs particularly during pollen seasons.
perennial – occurs throughout the year.

The most common causes of allergic rhinitis are:

pollen.
dust mites.
mold.
animal dander.

The reactions of allergic rhinitis include:
wheezing.
congestion.
runny nose.
itchy nose, throat, eyes and ears.
nosebleeds.
drainage from the nose.

People with perennial allergic rhinitis may also have the following reactions:
recurrent ear infections.
snoring.
breathing through the mouth.
fatigue.
poor performance in school.

Preventive measures for avoiding allergic rhinitis include:
environmental controls, such as air conditioning, during pollen season.
avoiding areas where there is heavy dust, mites, molds.
avoiding pets.
* Nonallergic rhinitis

The types of nonallergic rhinitis are:
vasomotor rhinitis (irritant rhinitis).
eosinophilic.
rhinitis medicamentosa.
neutrophilic rhinosinusitis.
structural rhinitis.
nasal polyps.
primary vasomotor instability.

The causes of nonallergic rhinitis include:
fumes.
odors.
temperature.
atmospheric changes.
smoke.
other irritants.

Reactions from nonallergic rhinitis include:
sneezing.
congestion.
runny nose.
itchy nose, throat, eyes and ears.

The preventive measure for avoiding nonallergic rhinitis is avoiding the primary cause.

Treatments for nonallergic rhinitis, as determined by your physician and based on its condition, may include:
oral medications.
inhaled medications.
immunotherapy.
allergy injections.
surgery (for some conditions).

How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?

Normally, your doctor makes a diagnosis based on medical history and physical examination. Besides the above signs, the doctor can be found on physical examination dark circles under eyes, wrinkles under the eyes, swollen tissue inside the eye and mouth breathing.
Treatment of allergic rhinitis:

The best treatment is the exclusion of the allergens that are causing the problem. Specific treatment will be determined by your physician based on:

* Your general health status and medical history.
* Extent of the reaction.
* Your tolerance for specific medications or therapies.
* Expectations for the course of the reaction.
* Your opinion or preference.

Treatment may include:

* Antihistamines.
Antihistamines help reduce histamine release, possibly decreasing the symptoms of itching, sneezing or runny nose. Some examples of antihistamines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or hydroxyzine (Atarax). These medicines may cause drowsiness.
* No sedative antihistamines
The non-sedative antihistamines work like antihistamines but without the side effect of causing drowsiness. The non-sedative antihistamines may include cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin).
* Anti-inflammatory Nasal Sprays
Anti-inflammatory nasal sprays help to reduce inflammation in the nose. Consult your physician about proper dosages.
* Nasal steroid inhalers
Steroid nasal sprays also help reduce inflammation in the nose. Steroid nasal sprays work best when used before symptoms start, but can also be used during an outbreak.
* Topical nasal decongestants
Topical nasal decongestants are not recommended for children. In some cases, can cause worsening of symptoms in children.
* Decongestants
Decongestants help by making the blood vessels in the nose smaller, decline, thus congestion. Decongestants can be purchased with or without prescription.
* Anti-leukotrienes
They are a relatively new type of medicine being used to help control asthma symptoms. They help to decrease the narrowing of the lungs and reduce the chance of fluid in the lungs. Usually given by mouth.

If you do not respond to avoidance or to the above medications, your doctor may refer you to an allergist for examinations. The allergist then may recommend immunotherapy based on the findings. Immunotherapy usually involves a period of 3-5 years of repeated injections of specific allergens to decrease the reaction to these allergens when you come into contact with them. Consult your doctor for more information.
The relationship between allergic rhinitis and asthma:

According to experts in allergy and asthma in some patients, asthma control may mean controlling allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is a common problem that may be associated with asthma.

Guidelines from the World Health Organization (World Health Organization, WHO) recognize the link between allergic rhinitis and asthma. Although the relationship is not fully understood, one theory asserts that rhinitis sufferer has difficulty breathing through the nose whose function is affected. Breathing through the mouth does not warm the air, or filter or humidify it before it enters the lungs and therefore can make asthma worse.

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