1. Identify What Provokes Symptoms and Avoid Those Activities and Situations
Given that vasomotor rhinitis is caused by inflamed and sensitive blood vessels in the nose, if you can avoid situations and environmental factors which lead to that oversensitivity, you can reduce your symptoms. For some vasomotor rhinitis sufferers, this may involve steering clear of cigarette smoke, staying out of the way of aerosol sprays or perfumes or laying off spicy foods or some medications. Other vasomotor rhinitis sufferers may have a more difficult time. Symptoms can be set off by shock, stress, weather changes, humidity differentials, and even simple allergens like pollen. If you can countenance a practical avoidance strategy, you can enjoy a much more symptom free existence.
2. Some Medications You Can Try
Instead of standard antihistamines, try azelastine. Unlike most antihistamines, which work to treat the allergic form of rhinitis but fail to do much for the vasomotor variety, azelastine (a topical medication) has been demonstrated to provide relief for rhinitis sufferers.
Pseudoephedrine-laden decongestants can also help relieve most of the symptoms. However, be aware that these pills can cause unwanted side effects, such as hypertension and adrenaline byproducts.
Apply corticosteroid medication to your nasal passageways. While the corticosteroid meds won't treat the primary causes of vasomotor rhinitis, they can clamp down on the inflammation of the membranes in your nose and thus relieve some symptoms.
Since coughing often results from post-nasal drip, any medications that reduce the nasal symptoms will help alleviate the cough as well.
3. Rinse With a Combination of Table Salt and Baking Soda
A pH-balanced rinse solution can go a long way towards reducing or even eliminating the symptoms of vasomotor rhinitis. You may need to experiment to find the right pH balance for your tolerance. Severe sufferers may have to irrigate their nasal membranes three to five times a day to get the relief they need.
