If you’ve been dealing with a runny nose, post-nasal drip or congestion for months and medications never seem to provide lasting relief, you may be a candidate for RhinAer. This in-office treatment is designed for adults with chronic rhinitis, a condition that causes ongoing nasal symptoms even when a cold has long passed. According to RhinAer patient guidance, candidacy is best identified by consulting a local ENT physician, but is typically used to treat adults aged 22 or older who continue to experience bothersome symptoms despite using medications or nasal sprays.1
For many people, the challenge isn’t just the symptoms themselves. It’s the fact that they have become part of everyday life. You find yourself carrying tissues everywhere, clearing your throat during meetings or waking up congested morning after morning. When those symptoms persist for several months and standard treatments no longer provide meaningful improvement, it may be time to explore other options with an ENT specialist.
What Symptoms Make Someone A Strong RhinAer Candidate?
RhinAer is most often considered for people experiencing:
- Chronic runny nose
- Post-nasal drip
- Nasal congestion
- Frequent throat clearing
- Sneezing or nasal irritation related to chronic rhinitis
The strongest candidates are usually those who have already tried conservative treatments such as antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays or allergy medications without achieving the relief they hoped for.
Research published in Allergy & Rhinology found that temperature-controlled radiofrequency treatment, which mirrors RhinAer treatment of the posterior nasal nerve, reduced the symptom burden in chronic rhinitis symptoms for many patients.2
Why Scheduling With An ENT Comes First
Not every runny nose is caused by chronic rhinitis. Allergies, sinus conditions, structural nasal issues and other health concerns can create similar symptoms.
That’s why meeting with an ENT is the most important first step.
A comprehensive evaluation helps identify what is truly driving your symptoms. During that visit, your ENT may review your medical history, evaluate your nasal anatomy and determine whether your symptoms are more consistent with allergic or nonallergic rhinitis. For patients in Milwaukie and throughout Clackamas County, this evaluation often prevents unnecessary treatments and helps guide the best path forward.
How Long Should Symptoms Last Before Considering RhinAer?
Chronic rhinitis symptoms generally persist for months rather than days or weeks. If your symptoms have become an ongoing part of daily life despite appropriate treatment, it may be reasonable to discuss RhinAer with an ENT provider.
What Information Should I Bring To My ENT Appointment?
Bring details about your symptoms, medications you’ve tried and anything that seems to trigger or worsen your nasal issues. Information about previous allergy testing, sinus procedures or imaging studies can also help your ENT assess whether RhinAer may be appropriate.
Who Is Not A Candidate For RhinAer?
While only an ENT can determine candidacy, RhinAer is generally not appropriate for:
- Individuals younger than 22 years old
- Patients whose symptoms are caused by another untreated nasal condition that requires a different approach
- People seeking treatment without a proper evaluation to confirm chronic rhinitis
- Patients whose provider determines that medication management or another procedure would be more appropriate based on their anatomy or diagnosis
Sometimes the answer is RhinAer. Sometimes it isn’t. The goal is to find the treatment that best matches what’s causing your symptoms.
Taking The Next Step
The team at Northwest ENT and Allergy believes healthcare decisions work best when they’re built on understanding, not pressure. A thorough evaluation can help determine whether RhinAer, medication management or another treatment is the right next step for improving your quality of life.
Sources
1 RhinAer. “How to Treat Chronic Rhinitis: Patient FAQs.” https://rhinaer.com/how-to-treat-chronic-rhinitis-faqs/
2 Ehmer D, McDuffie CM, McIntyre JB, et al. “Long-term Outcomes Following Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Neurolysis for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinitis.” Allergy & Rhinology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9158436/