
Types of non-allergic rhinitis
| Type |
Causes |
Characteristics |
| Idiopathic rhinitis |
Unknown |
Rhinitis with sensitivity to
strong smells and changes in temperature |
| Infective rhinitis |
Acute or chronic infections |
Chronic infection may result from
host defence deficiency or a local problem (for example, primary
ciliary dyskinesia) |
| Occupational rhinitis |
Organic or chemical agents at
place of work |
Symptoms are absent during
weekends and holidays; affects farmers, laboratory workers,
hairdressers, and so on |
| Non-allergic rhinitis with
eosinophilia syndrome (NARES) |
Unknown |
Nasal eosinophilia; more common in
young women |
| Hormonal rhinitis |
Hormonal effects on nasal mucosa
and its neurovasculature |
Occurs with pregnancy, puberty,
hypothyroidism, and acromegaly |
| Drug induced rhinitis |
Systemic drug effects |
Common with
blockers, chlorpromazine, oral contraceptives, and aspirin |
| Food induced rhinitis |
Non-allergic reactions to food
colourings and preservatives or "IgE hypersensitivity to certain
food products" |
Rhinitis due to food allergy is
always associated with systemic manifestations (such as oral and
gastrointestinal symptoms) |
| Atrophic rhinitis |
Primary or secondary to radical
surgery, infections, irradiation, or trauma |
Nasal crusting and congestion
despite having wide nasal passages |
| Gastro-oesophageal reflux |
Direct irritation to nasal mucosa |
Particularly affects children |
|
Table source: BMJ
Allergic rhinitis in children