How Dangerous Is Nonallergic Rhinitis & Is It Contagious?

Nonallergic rhinitis is a specific medical term to mention a specific set of symptoms, which have a resemblance with hay fever and nasal allergies. However, in this situation, both of the mentioned problems take place without any cause. Along with this, nonallergic rhinitis produces symptoms, like sneezing, runny nose, postnasal drip, stuffy nose and similar others. ⁽¹⁾

We know that rhinitis characterizes sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and itching, along with postnatal drips. Nonallergic type of rhinitis contains different conditions, which may exist with allergic ones. However, if you compare the nonallergic with allergic rhinitis, you will find that nonallergic is relatively less dangerous and may be cured with a few of the home remedies combined with key lifestyle changes. Only you have to take care if you have any of the adverse health conditions. These include anatomical or mechanical factors, nasal polyps, autoimmune diseases, genetic conditions, metabolic conditions, and immunodeficiency. ⁽²⁾

In most of the cases, whenever a disease takes place from a viral infection or bacterial infection, it is of contagious one. Now, if we talk about nonallergic rhinitis, each of its types takes place from viral or bacterial infection and hence, it is of contagious disease. To analyze further, we have to discuss its causes and nonallergic rhinitis types in detail.

Until now, none of the doctors or medical experts have succeeded to find out the exact cause of nonallergic rhinitis. However, in most of the cases, the problem takes place because of a few of the environmental irritants, which are found in our home and in other areas of our workplace. Common examples include exhaust in the car, chlorine, cleaning solutions, cigarette smoking, hair sprays, perfumes, glues, laundry detergents, latex, metallic salts, wood dust and smog. ⁽¹⁾

There are:

Acute viral rhinitis takes place from different types of viruses, often the common cold. Major symptoms consist of cough and cold, sneezing, running nose, postnasal drip, congestion, and low-grade fever. Whenever a virus attacks the nasal area, nose lining and throat become inflamed, which further triggers the production of mucus. This leads to consistent sneezing and the problem of running nose. ⁽⁴⁾

Atrophic rhinitis takes place whenever the inner membranes of the nose i.e. turbinate tissues become thin and hard. This type of rhinitis widens the nasal passages and makes it dry. Turbinate tissues are tissues covering three different bone ridges within the nose to retain its moisture content. Also, the tissue protects against bacterial infection and regulates the required air pressure whenever you breath in. turbinate tissues also have nerve endings to give you a suitable smelling sense.

However, when your turbinate tissue becomes thin because of rhinitis, bacteria may easily grow within your nasal cavity. In simple words, loss of turbinate tissues results in an increase in your risk of nasal infection followed by nose surgery. In the case of atrophic rhinitis, the formation of crusts takes place within the nose and they often smell very bad. On the other side, if the infected person puts efforts to remove it, he or she suffers bleeding.

Vasomotor rhinitis takes place whenever the nose blood vessels become highly sensitive resulting in abnormal blood vessels controls within the nose. This further leads to the problem of inflammation. Under normal conditions, the contraction and expansion of one’s nose blood vessels help in controlling the mucus flow.

However, when the blood vessels become excessively sensitivity, specific environmental triggers cause dilation of mucus, which leads to mucus overproduction and congestion problems. Prime triggers are perfumes, chemical irritants, smoke, paint fumes, temperature or humidity changes, alcohol consumption, mental stress and consumption of spicy foods.

The problem of rhinitis medicamentosa occurs because of frequent drug usage, especially, overuse of beta-blockers, nasal decongestants, cocaine, and aspirin. Nasal decongestants reduce the blood vessels’ swelling within the nose. If you use it for many weeks, it leads to inflammation of your nose again even when the exact problem i.e. cold goes away. ⁽⁵⁾

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Also Read:

• Is Nonallergic Rhinitis A Disability & Can You Die From It?
• What Leads To Nonallergic Rhinitis & Can It Be Cured?
• What Is The Best Treatment For Nonallergic Rhinitis?
• Is There A Surgery for Nonallergic Rhinitis?
• Is Nonallergic Rhinitis A Progressive Disease & Alternative Treatments For It?
• Who Is At Risk For Nonallergic Rhinitis & Is There A Blood Test For It?