Abstract

Perennial rhinitis causes nasal obstruction, sneezing and watery rhinorrhoea. Often it is due to an allergy, e.g. house-dust mite, and may then respond to treatment with a topical corticosteroid or sodium cromoglycate, or an oral antihistamine. Perennial non-allergic ‘vasomotor’ rhinitis occurs throughout the year and is usually resistant to such treatment; patients whose main symptom is a blocked nose may be helped by surgery to the turbinates, but for those with watery rhinorrhoea a clean handkerchief often provides the only solace. Ipratropium nasal aerosol spray (Rinatec - Boehringer Ingelheim) is intended for them. Is it helpful?