AAO-HNS14: Nonallergic Rhinitis Difficult to Define

by Thomas R. Collins •

Studies involving capsaicin exposure and comparing healthy controls with patients who have a history that is consistent with nonallergic rhinitis have found that optical density readings reach significance at much lower dosages of capsaicin in the NAR patients. “Now we have this potential device that maybe will allow us in the office to be able to…diagnose nonallergic irritant rhinitis,” Dr. Luong said.

After the panel concluded, Dr. Krouse said that he hopes the session is a reminder for otolaryngologists to consider the full array of rhinitis causes. “People can develop rhinitis symptoms at any age, and it’s not always related to allergy, as many people might assume,” he said. “There are lots of irritant effects. There are lots of medication effects, and many of these can cause nasal and sinus symptoms, so we need to take a very broad view of what might be triggering someone’s nasal symptoms.”

Take-Home Points

  • Not all cases of rhinitis are allergy-related, and nonallergy-related rhinitis can be prompted by a wide variety of issues and conditions.
  • Rhinitis as a medical side effect requires patient education and consideration of the risks and benefits.
  • When allergic rhinitis is suspected but not supported by test findings, local allergic rhinitis might be a possibility.
  • Optical rhinometry might be a way to streamline diagnosis of nonallergic rhinitis.