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Rhinitis
Classification & external resources

ICD-10	J00., J30., J31.0
ICD-9	472.0
DiseasesDB	26380
MeSH	D012220

Rhinitis is the medical term describing irritation and inflammation of some internal areas of the nose. The primary symptom of rhinitis is a runny nose. It is caused by chronic or acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose due to viruses, bacteria or irritants. The inflammation results in the generating of excessive amounts of mucus producing a runny nose, nasal congestion and post-nasal drip. According to recent studies completed in the United States, more than fifty millon Americans are current sufferers. Rhinitis has also been found to adversely affect more than just the nose, throat, and eyes. It has been associated with sleeping problems, problems with the ears, and even been linked to learning problems^{[citation needed]}.

Rhinitis is caused by an increase in histamine. This increase is likely caused by airborne allergens. These allergens may affect an individual's nose, throat, or eyes and cause an increase in fluid production within these areas.

Contents 1 Types 2 Common causes 3 Testing for rhinitis 4 Treatment 5 See also 6 Other sources 7 References 8 External links

There are two types of Rhinitis that the general population may suffer from: allergic rhinitis and nonallergic rhinitis. Rhinitis is considered IgE-mediated when the sufferer is classified as having allergic rhinitis.

Some of the most common causes that may bring about the presence of rhinitis include:

• Food Reactions
• Emotional
• Occupational
• Hormonal
• Anatomic Defects
• Immunodeficiency diseases
• Ciliary dyskinesia
• Animal Interraction

For assessing the possibility of allergies, skin testing, when possible, is the preferred method in comparison with various in vitro tests because it is more sensitive and specific, simpler to use, and less expensive ^{[1] [2]}

The typical method of diagnosis and monitoring of allergic rhinitis is skin testing, also known as "scratch testing" and "prick testing" due to the series of pricks and/or scratches made into the patient's skin. Small amounts of suspected allergens and/or their extracts (pollen, grass, mite proteins, peanut extract, etc.) are introduced to sites on the skin marked with pen or dye. The allergens are either injected intradermally or into small scratches made into the patient's skin, often with a small plastic device. Common areas for testing include the inside forearm and the back.

Testing can be either single antigen or multiple antigen testing. Both test the skin for effects of different substances.

The management of rhinitis is mainly medical. Treatment for seasonal rhinitis is only needed during the appropriate time of the year. Current treatments include:

• Antihistamine pills and sprays

• Leukotriene antagonists

• Nasal corticosteroid sprays

• Decongestant pills or sprays

• Allergen immunotherapy

• Nasal obstruction in perennial rhinitis may be treated by surgery.

• Post-nasal drip

• Wein, M. (2006). Conn's Current Therapy 2006, 58th edition. Chapter on Allergic Rhinitis, Saunders, 932-939. ISBN 1416023763. 

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• American Board of Allergy – ABAI establishes qualifications and examines physicians to become recognized specialists in allergy and immunology in the USA
• HouseDustMite-org-uk
• [1]
• [2]
• [3]

v • d • e Pathology of respiratory system (J, 460-519)
Acute upper respiratory infections	Upper respiratory tract infection · Common cold · Rhinitis · Sinusitis · Pharyngitis (Strep throat)  · Tonsillitis · Laryngitis · Tracheitis · Croup · Epiglottitis
Influenza and Pneumonia	Influenza · Pneumonia (Viral, Bacterial, Bronchopneumonia) · Severe acute respiratory syndrome
Other acute lower respiratory infections	Bronchitis (Acute, Chronic)  · Bronchiolitis
Other diseases of upper respiratory tract	Vasomotor rhinitis · Hay fever · Atrophic rhinitis · Nasal polyp · Deviated septum · Adenoid hypertrophy · Peritonsillar abscess · Vocal fold nodule · Laryngospasm
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	Emphysema · COPD · Asthma · Status asthmaticus · Bronchiectasis
Lung diseases due to external agents	Pneumoconiosis (Coalworker's pneumoconiosis, Asbestosis, Silicosis, Bauxite fibrosis, Berylliosis, Siderosis) · Byssinosis · Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (Farmer's lung, Bird fancier's lung)
Other, principally affecting the interstitium	Acute respiratory distress syndrome · Pulmonary edema · Hamman-Rich syndrome · Interstitial lung disease
Suppurative and necrotic conditions of lower respiratory tract	Lung abscess · Pleural effusion · Empyema
Other	Pneumothorax · Hemothorax · Hemopneumothorax · Mendelson's syndrome · Respiratory failure · Atelectasis · Mediastinal emphysema  · Mediastinitis
see also congenital (Q30-Q34, 748)