People with hay fever (rhinitis) suffer with an inflamed lining in their nose. This causes it to block, making their nose run or itch as well as making them sneeze. Many cases of rhinitis are due to allergy; for example, summer hay fever is caused by grass pollen allergy.
But, not all rhinitis is caused by allergies. There are many different causes of non-allergic rhinitis, including structural problems in the nose. This can include a deviated nasal septum, perforated septum or adenoidal hypertrophy, or inflammatory problems, such as nasal polyps. Medication taken for other conditions can also cause rhinitis.
What is rhinosinusitis?
Rhinosinusitis is a more complex condition. It involves inflammation of the sinuses as well as to the lining of the nose. Symptoms typically include:
- nasal blockage and congestion
- facial pain and discomfort
- nasal discharge, either from the front of the nose or as a post-nasal drip.
Many of the causes are the same as for non-allergic rhinitis.
Nose clinic
Patients referred with rhinitis or rhinosinusitis are seen in our joint medical-surgical nose clinic. This clinic has both allergy doctors and ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeons from Charing Cross Hospital.
The doctor will take a full history of the problem, and may also do some further tests. These may include allergy skin prick tests, lung function testing and examination of the nose using an endoscope.
You may also have blood tests and a CT (computed tomography) scans of the sinuses. Some patients who suffer with this condition need surgery. If you do need surgery, the clinic will arrange this, which will take place at Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith.
Allergy team contact information
Location
Fulham wing/South block, Fulham Road
Tel: 020 7351 8892
Fax: 020 7351 8949