Diathermy, cautery and submucous resection to improve airway patency and reduce mucosal swelling may produce temporary relief, but the symptoms may recur and be more difficult to deal with in the future. This may be considered to be the definitive treatment for perennial allergic rhinitis. Owing to the length of treatment, which should not be less than 3 years, immunotherapy is best used in patients whose symptoms are inadequately controlled in spite of appropriate environmental measures and symptomatic therapy. It is a condition of unknown origin associated with altered vasomotor control in the nasal mucous membrane resulting in chronic nasal congestion. Numerous non-specific stimuli such as changes in ambient temperature, odours, fumes, medications, humidity, changes in barometric pressure and emotional stimuli can trigger nasal obstruction and rhinorrhoea.
Vasomotor rhinitis is rather common and often co-exists with allergic rhinitis.
The diagnostic procedures are directed towards excluding allergic causes for the nasal congestion. Therapy is less successful than for allergic rhinitis. Infectious Rhinitis Viral upper respiratory infections are frequent causes of rhinitis. The common cold is characterised initially by sneezing and watery rhinorrhoea. Within a few days the nasal discharge becomes purulent, with a predominance of neutrophils noted in nasal smear.