Can allergic rhinitis be cured?

I have allergic rhinitis which causes nasal congestion, especially when the weather changes and I sneeze constantly, which is very uncomfortable. I have to use Naphazolin drops all year round. Although I know that using that medicine a lot is not good, I cannot breathe without using the drops. Doctor, can this disease be cured? What should I do to improve it?

(Mr. Minh Khoa, residing in Long Binh ward)

Doctor replied:

Hello Mr. Khoa!

Your case is allergic rhinitis, a fairly common disease and often found in people with allergies. Nasal congestion and constant sneezing when the weather changes are typical symptoms. The fact that you have to use Naphazolin nasal drops all year round is a cause for concern. Although this medicine helps clear the nose quickly, if used for a long time, it can cause dependence, damage the nasal mucosa, lose normal physiological reflexes, leading to a more persistent nasal congestion - also known as "drug-induced rhinitis".

This disease cannot be completely cured at present, but it can be completely controlled and symptoms can be significantly reduced if treated properly and allergens (such as pollen, house dust, animal hair, etc.) are eliminated.

The doctor gave him treatment and improvement directions including: Stop using Naphazolin as soon as possible, replace it with a corticosteroid nasal spray as prescribed by the doctor (safer for long-term use); use new generation antihistamines to control symptoms of sneezing and runny nose; find the cause of the allergy by testing (skin test or blood test) to know what he is allergic to.

Along with that, you can consider specific immunotherapy (desensitization) if the specific allergen is identified and appropriate indications. Maintain daily nasal hygiene, you can rinse your nose with saline to reduce irritation.

If after medical treatment you still have severe nasal congestion, affecting your quality of life, you may consider turbinate reshaping surgery. This surgery aims to reduce the volume of enlarged turbinate, helping to improve air circulation, while increasing the effectiveness of corticosteroid sprays when the drug can more easily reach the sinus cavities.

I wish you a speedy recovery!

MSc. Nguyen Van Doan,

Head of Interdisciplinary Department, Hoan My Dong Nai Hospital

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/alo--bac-si-oi/202507/viem-mui-di-ung-co-chua-dut-diem-duoc-khong-2f832ee/