Rhinitis

Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes and can be of various types (Table 39.2). A clinical diagnosis of rhinitis can be made if a patient has two or more of the following symptoms: anterior rhinorrhoea, postnasal catarrh, nasal obstruction, nasal itch or irritation, and sneezing. The management of these conditions is determined largely by the type of rhinitis and the predominant symptom and lies within the province of the otolaryngologist, seldom requiring surgery and therefore not referred to further in this chapter.