Rhinitis

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Rhinitis means inflammation of the lining of the nose. The moist tissue (mucous membrane) that lines the nose becomes inflamed, causing swelling and blocking the airflow. Rhinitis also causes overactivity of the glands in the mucous membrane, causing excessive mucus production and a watery discharge.

Rhinitis is a symptom of the common cold and of hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Hay fever is an allergy to grass, weed and tree pollens, moulds, hair, feathers, skin scales (dander), house mites, house dust or other airborne substances. It causes sneezing, stuffiness and a watery discharge from the nose.

There are several varieties of rhinitus:

Vasomotor rhinitis happens when the nerves that control the blood vessels supplying the mucous membrane are disturbed. The membrane becomes over-sensitive to hormonal, climate or psychological changes, and causes sneezing and a watery discharge. Vasomotor rhinitis is an intermittent condition, meaning that it can come and go.
Hypertrophic rhinitis happens when there has been repeated or long-term inflammation of the mucous membrane. The lining of the nose thickens, causing a feeling of stuffiness that doesnâ€™t go away.
Atrophic rhinitis happens when the mucous membrane shrinks, usually as a result of sarcoidosis, tuberculosis or nose surgery (rhinoplasty). The symptoms are dryness, crusting and loss of the sense of smell.