Allergic rhinitis vs Non- allergy rhinitis
Allergies/Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)– When you have an allergic reaction, it’s because your body has an abnormal reaction to a normally harmless substance. This causes your body to release histamine, which is one of the things that cause your symptoms. Basically, your body is trying to fight off what it sees as an invader.
Common causes of these allergies include the following:
Pollen
Pet dander
Mold
Dust
Food, on occasion
Non-allergy rhinitis– This is a medical condition that typically has an unknown cause, but mimics hay fever. A typically harmless substance irritates the tissues in your nose and causes inflammation. Unlike allergic rhinitis, this cannot be detected allergy testing and symptoms can spontaneously develop.
Related posts: How to cope with Fibromyalgia sensory overload
Fibromyalgia and non-allergy rhinitis
– chronic cough
– runny nose
– sinus headache
– itchy watery eyes
– post-nasal drip
– constant sneezing.
Lack of treatment options for non-allergy rhinitis
I think non- allergy rhinitis may be part of the problem I have with “allergies” and why mine doesn’t seem to respond to medicine very well. I’ve also had several allergy tests that came back with only minimal reactions. The really frustrating part of learning about non-allergy rhinitis is that there is little to no treatment suggested for dealing with these problems. Nasal decongestants are not meant to be used long term so they are unhelpful in dealing with these symptoms. Saline spray used on a daily basis can help with your nose, but those have not really been effective for me personally. It seems like this is just another thing that people with Fibromyalgia have to live with. However, I am glad to know that it wasn’t all in my head, my sinuses really are completely screwed up, much like the rest of my body.
* Chronic rhinitis: an underrecognized association with fibromyalgia
* Shankland W with J Boyd and D Starlanyl. Face the Pain: The Challenges of Facial Pain, Columbus (OH): AOmega Publishing Co., p.149.
I am fortunate to not have allergies, but my husband and oldest son do. They are so bothered with it. I'm still finding more natural ways to battle the allergies. Thanks for sharing your information! I found your post at Fibro Fridays at Fibro Bloggers Directory.
I have also had to deal with this. I was on three rounds of antibiotics with just a few days break in between. The last round helped for about a week or two now I’m back to the runny nose and terrible sores in my nose. I also have an autoimmune on top of the fibromyalgia
Im having same symptoms the sores up my nose and im breaking out with sores on the iback of my neck and its so painful not to mention the back and jaw pain thanks for sharing
I’ve had fibromyalgia for almost 25 years and suffer from this. My doctor has me on a therapy of taking Claritin daily and another kind as well keeps the infections at bay for the most part.
I saw several doctors for my constant runny nose. Of course, they gave me antihistamines with no relief. Nothing changed if I took them, if I didn’t take them. I finally read this as being a Fibro symptom! Makes a lot more sense. I don’t like taking medication that have no effect on the symptoms they were prescribed for.
I had no idea there was a connection!!! Thank you for sharing this.