Vasomotor Rhinitis: How to Recognize and Treat It (2025)

Vasomotor rhinitis causes symptoms like a runny nose and congestion, similar to the symptoms associated with allergies. However, it is not caused by allergies.

Vasomotor rhinitis (also called nonallergic rhinitis) can be treated with various medications, keeping the nasal passages moist or avoiding things that cause symptoms.

What's Different About Vasomotor Rhinitis vs. Allergic Rhinitis?

Vasomotor rhinitis symptoms are similar to the symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis. The one big difference is that vasomotor rhinitis does not involve the immune system.

With allergies, the immune system reacts more strongly than needed to allergens like dust or pollen, leading to symptoms like an itchy, runny nose. With vasomotor rhinitis, the body still has a strong reaction and symptoms, but the immune system is not triggered.

Causes and Triggers

Sensitivity to certain environmental factors, medications, scents, and other substances around you causes vasomotor rhinitis.

Chronic (long-term) vasomotor rhinitis is more common in people assigned female at birth than those assigned male at birth, particularly females over age 35 without a family history of allergies.

The triggers for vasomotor rhinitis differ from person to person, and there are many potential triggers, such as:

• Air pollution
• Cologne/perfume
• Hormonal changes in females, such as menopause, menstruation, and pregnancy
• Physical activity
• Spicy foods
• Smoke
• Stress
• Weather changes

Certain medications may cause vasomotor rhinitis, including:

• Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for blood pressure
• Antidepressants
• High blood pressure (hypertension) medicines, such as alpha- and beta-blockers
• Hormone medications
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen)

Associated Conditions

Conditions that may be confused with or occurring at the same time as vasomotor rhinitis include:

• Allergic rhinitis
• Asthma
• Chronic sinus infections
• Deviated septum (a displacement of the wall between the nostrils)
• Ear infections
• Nasal polyps

Symptoms

Symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis include:

• Nasal drainage
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing

Diagnosis

A healthcare provider will perform an exam as a first step to diagnose vasomotor rhinitis. This exam could include examining your nose to see if the tissues are inflamed and asking about your symptoms and triggers.

A healthcare provider may perform additional testing to confirm a diagnosis, such as:

• Blood test: A complete blood count (CBC) to measure white blood cell counts associated with allergies
• Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan to get a detailed look inside your nose to help your provider identify nasal polyps, for example
• Allergy tests: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) allergen tests (blood test) or skin prick tests can help your provider determine if allergies are causing your symptoms
• Nasal endoscopy: A healthcare provider may do a nasal endoscopy to look inside your nose and check for problems like nasal polyps

Self-Care and Medical Treatments

You can do some things on your own to help avoid vasomotor rhinitis. Although you may not get rid of it completely, these self-care strategies can help reduce your symptoms:

• Avoid or reduce exposure to your triggers. For example, if air pollution is a trigger, keep your windows closed during the times of day when it's at its worst.
• Use this solution once or twice a day or as often as directed by a healthcare provider.
• Use a humidifier at home or work to help keep the air moist.
  

Medications and medical treatments for vasomotor rhinitis include:

• Antihistamine nasal sprays, such as azelastine, to reduce nasal inflammation
• Anticholinergic nasal sprays, such as Atrovent (ipratropium bromide), to control a runny nose
• Corticosteroid nasal sprays like Flovent (fluticasone) to help lower nasal inflammation
• A surgical procedure, called a vidian neurectomy, to directly address vasomotor rhinitis by severing the vidian nerve
• Surgery if there is another structural problem related to or in addition to vasomotor rhinitis, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

See a healthcare provider for vasomotor rhinitis if you have symptoms like a runny nose or congestion that don't go away or if symptoms interfere with your quality of life and do not respond to self-care measures.

Summary

Vasomotor rhinitis is a type of nasal inflammation that causes a stuffy or runny nose but is not caused by allergies. It has many potential causes, including air pollution, spicy food, stress, and certain medications. A healthcare provider will perform an exam and may conduct tests such as a nasal endoscopy or a skin test to find out what's causing your nasal symptoms.