BSC NURSING III YEAR

1. Mr. Manikandan.T,
RN., RM., M.Sc(N)., D.C.A .,(Ph.D)
Assistant Professor,
Dept. of Medical Surgical Nursing,
VMCON, Puducherry.

2. Definition
• Inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
• Rhinitis is a group of disorders characterized
by inflammation and irritation of the mucous
membranes of the nose.

3. Classification
A. Acute rhinitis
• a. Non-allergic:
1. Infective:
• Viral: Common cold (coryza or flu), rhinitis associated
with influenza or other viral infections.
• Bacterial: Usually occurs as a secondary infection
following unresolved viral rhinitis.
2. Non-infective:
• Vasomotor rhinitis.
• Rhinitis due to chemical irritation.

4. b. Allergic e.g. Hay fever.

5. B. Chronic rhinitis:
a. Non-allergic:
1. Non-specific:
• Chronic catarrhal rhinitis.
• Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis.
• Chronic atrophic rhinitis.
• Rhinitis medicamentosa (drug-induced rhinitis).
2. Specific:
• Scleroma.
• Rare types: Syphilis, tuberculosis, lupus and, leprosy.
b. Allergic: Perennial allergic rhinitis.

6. CAUSES
• – Rhinovirus.
• – Droplet infection.
• – reaction of the body’s immune system to an
environmental trigger. The most common
environmental triggers include dust, molds,
pollens, grasses, trees, and animals.
Both seasonal allergies and year-round
allergies can cause allergic rhinitis.

7. Cont.,
• changes in temperature or humidity;
• use of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescribed nasal decongestants;
• foreign body.
• Allergic rhinitis may occur with exposure to allergens such as foods
(eg, peanuts, walnuts, brazil nuts, wheat, shellfish, soy, cow’s milk,
and eggs)
• medications (eg, penicillin, sulfa medications, aspirin
• The most common cause of nonallergic rhinitis is the common cold.
• Drug-induced rhinitis may occur with antihypertensive agents, such
as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-
blockers; “statins,” antidepressants; aspirin, antianxiety
medications.

8. • • Dust mite feces
• • Dog dander
• • Cat dander
• • Cockroach droppings

9. Clinical features
1. Stage of invasion (few hours):
• Sneezing, burning sensation in the nasopharynx, nasal
• obstruction, and headache, Pruritis of nose
2. Stage of secretion (few days):
• Low grade fever, malaise, arthralgia, nasal
• obstruction, and profuse watery rhinorrhea.
3. Stage of resolution: Resolution within 5-7 days is the
• natural course of an uncomplicated disease.
• Symptoms lasting beyond 7 days, or worsening
• instead of improving suggest that secondary bacterial
infection is being established.

10. Treatment
• 1. Supportive treatment: bed rest, analgesics,
nasal decongestants (local i.e. drops and
systemic), and occasionally steam inhalations.
• 2. Antibiotics should be reserved for
treatment of secondary bacterial infections.

11. • Symptom relief.
• Antihistamines and corticosteroid nasal sprays may
be useful.Brompheniramine/pseudoephedrine
(Dimetapp) is an example of combination
antihistamine/decongestant medications
• Cromolyn (NasalCrom), a mast cell stabilizer that
inhibits the release of histamine and other chemicals,
is also used in the treatment of rhinitis

12. • Use of saline nasal spray can act as a mild decongestant
and can liquefy mucus to prevent crusting.
• Two inhalations of intranasal ipratropium (Atrovent) can
be administered in each nostril two to three times per
day for symptomatic relief of rhinorrhea.
• intranasal corticosteroids may be used for severe
congestion, and ophthalmic agents (cromolyn
ophthalmic solution 4%) may be used to relieve
irritation, itching, and redness of the eyes.
• Newer allergy treatments include leukotriene modifiers
(eg, montelukast [Singulair], zafirlukast[Accolate],
zileuton [Zyflo])