How is rhinitis different from a cold?

A cold is a viral infection that often comes with a sore throat, fever and body aches, and it usually gets better with time. Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal lining, with repeated sneezing, clear runny nose, nasal congestion and itching, and it can get worse with environmental factors such as the seasons, dust, pet hair and dry air. If symptoms last a long time or keep coming back, we recommend checking the cause.

What care is available when nasal congestion lasts a long time?

Nasal congestion can have many causes, such as rhinitis, swelling of the lining after an infection, sinusitis or structural problems. At your visit, we check how long you have had symptoms, whether they are seasonal, what your nasal discharge is like and whether there is pain, and if needed, we examine the inside of your nose and advise whether an allergy test is needed.

If I have allergic rhinitis, do I need an allergy test?

If symptoms keep coming back, or if you need to know the allergen causing them to plan your care, allergy tests such as MAST or ImmunoCAP may be considered. Not every case of rhinitis needs testing; we decide by looking at your symptoms and living environment together.

Why does rhinitis get worse with the seasons?

Pollen in spring, air conditioning and changes in humidity in summer, large temperature differences between day and night in autumn, and dry air and indoor heating in winter can all irritate the nasal lining. It is important to reduce the seasonal triggers and combine this with treatment that suits your symptoms.

Is your recurring rhinitis or nasal congestion getting worse?

We look into whether it is a simple cold or caused by rhinitis or allergy.

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Do you have any of these symptoms?

Sneezing, runny nose Sneezing and a clear runny nose keep coming back
Itchy nose Your nose often itches
Morning, after going out Nose symptoms get worse in the morning or after going out
Started like a cold It started like a cold but has lasted a long time

If even one of these applies to you, consider seeing a doctor.

Tests and treatment How we provide care

Consultation
Asking about your symptoms
We ask when it started, whether it changes with the seasons and what your nasal discharge is like.
Treatment
Environment and medication
We look for the cause and the factors that make it worse, then plan changes to your living environment and medication.

Our equipment

Sinus CT scan
Sinus 3D CT
GENORAY
Shows the sinuses and surrounding structures in 3D images. The imaging range is set for the area being scanned, and the results are assessed together with the examination findings.

Care and outlook

Not only allergens but also dry air and temperature changes can trigger symptoms.
If it lasts a long time or gets worse every season, we check the cause first.

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Related care Allergy

Finding the cause · Immunotherapy

See Allergy

Nose care FAQ

Common questions about rhinitis, nasal congestion and allergic rhinitis.

How is rhinitis different from a cold?
A cold is a viral infection that often comes with a sore throat, fever and body aches, and it usually gets better with time. Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal lining, with repeated sneezing, clear runny nose, nasal congestion and itching, and it can get worse with environmental factors such as the seasons, dust, pet hair and dry air. If symptoms last a long time or keep coming back, we recommend checking the cause.
What care is available when nasal congestion lasts a long time?
Nasal congestion can have many causes, such as rhinitis, swelling of the lining after an infection, sinusitis or structural problems. At your visit, we check how long you have had symptoms, whether they are seasonal, what your nasal discharge is like and whether there is pain, and if needed, we examine the inside of your nose and advise whether an allergy test is needed.
If I have allergic rhinitis, do I need an allergy test?
If symptoms keep coming back, or if you need to know the allergen causing them to plan your care, allergy tests such as MAST or ImmunoCAP may be considered. Not every case of rhinitis needs testing; we decide by looking at your symptoms and living environment together.
Why does rhinitis get worse with the seasons?
Pollen in spring, air conditioning and changes in humidity in summer, large temperature differences between day and night in autumn, and dry air and indoor heating in winter can all irritate the nasal lining. It is important to reduce the seasonal triggers and combine this with treatment that suits your symptoms.

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If your nasal congestion lasts or keeps coming back, have it checked by a doctor first.

We look at your symptom pattern and living environment, then guide you on the next steps of care.

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