Rhinitis is mostly associated with the inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to colds and flu. Allergic rhinitis refers to the inflammation of the nasal mucosa due exposure of allergens. Mucosal rhinitis is associated with sinitus. Rhinorrhea can occur because of: allergies, a cold, exposure to chemicals and physical damage.

drug groups that can be used for the treatment of rhinorrhoea:

A1-agonists: ephedrine

Antihistamines: Bromopheniramine

Corticosteroids: Prednisone

Anti-allergic drugs: Ketotifen

Mucolytics: Mesna

Antibiotics: Neomycin

The mechanism of action of the decongestants is that the A1-receptors in the nasal cavity is stimulated and then leads to vasoconstriction of the mucosal blood vessels. Thereby, reducing the volume of nasal mucosa. Their duration of action differs between long and short acting. However, the short-acting decongestants are administered topically through nasal sprays and they are usually preferred because long acting decongestants tends to cause cardiac and CNs side effects thereby, leading to a decrease in local concentrations.

Rhinitis medicamentosa can also be conferred to as rebound congestion. This happens when a patient tends to develop a tolerance for the current treatment that they are using. Treatment includes to progressively decrease the using of the medication (note that abruptly stopping can lead to even greater swelling and congestion). A nasal steroid (corticosteroids) such as Prednisone can help to limit the symptoms.

Frist generation antihistamines act as muscarinic blockers (thereby, decreasing the mucus secretion in the upper and lower airways.) Second generation does not have any muscarinic blocking effects and is therefore only used as short/long term treatment for allergic rhinitis. The 1^st generation antihistamines are lipophilic and can therefore easily cross the blood brain barrier. This can then lead to sedation and a decrease in the concentration of the patient. 2^nd generation antihistamines however, are not lipophilic and will therefore not lead to these side effects. 2^nd generation antihistamines are not effective in the use of cold rhinitis because histamine plays no part in cold rhinitis (unlike Bradykinins).

Corticosteroids are used in allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, inflammatory rhinitis and to reverse rhinitis medicamentosa. They are administered through nasal sprays.

 Anti-allergic drugs: are used in allerdic rhinitis to stabalise mast cells. They are administered through nasal sprays.

 Mesna: Is a mucolytic and is used to liquefy sticky mucus. It can be administered through steam inhalation.

 Normal salt solution: It is administered through nasal drops in order to hydrate (humidify) dry and inflamed mucus membranes in the nasal cavity.