If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from rhinitis, you know that it can be a frustrating and debilitating condition.

Rhinitis, which is inflammation of the nasal passages, can cause a wide range of symptoms, including sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and itching. For some people, these symptoms are occasional and mild, while others may experience them on a daily basis and find them very disruptive to their daily life.

While many people with rhinitis assume that their symptoms are caused by pollen, dust, or other common allergens, there are actually several surprising triggers that can cause rhinitis in some people.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of these lesser-known rhinitis triggers and explore what you can do to reduce your exposure to them.

Roaches

One of the most surprising triggers of rhinitis is roaches. While many people associate roaches with unsanitary living conditions, the truth is that even clean and well-maintained homes can be at risk of a roach infestation.

Roaches are attracted to warm, moist environments, and can easily make their way into your home through cracks, crevices, and other openings.

For people with rhinitis, exposure to roaches can trigger allergic reactions that cause symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itching. In some cases, roach allergies can also cause skin rashes or even asthma attacks.

To reduce your risk of roach-related rhinitis, it’s important to take steps to prevent roaches from entering your home in the first place.

This may include sealing up holes and cracks around doors and windows, keeping your kitchen and other areas of your home clean and free of food debris, and taking out the trash regularly. If you do suspect that you have a roach infestation, it’s important to contact a pest control professional as soon as possible.

Mold

Another lesser-known trigger of rhinitis is mold. Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in warm, damp environments, and can easily grow in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.

In addition to triggering rhinitis symptoms, exposure to mold can also cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and even neurological issues in some cases.

To reduce your risk of mold-related rhinitis, it’s important to take steps to prevent mold growth in your home.

This may include fixing leaky pipes, using dehumidifiers to control humidity levels, and regularly cleaning and disinfecting damp areas of your home. If you do encounter mold in your home, it’s important to address the issue as soon as possible by either cleaning it up yourself or contacting a professional mold remediation service.

Perfumes and Fragrances

For some people with rhinitis, exposure to perfumes and fragrances can trigger allergic reactions that cause symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itching.

In some cases, exposure to these substances can also cause headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms.

To reduce your risk of fragrance-related rhinitis, it’s important to avoid using perfumes, colognes, and other scented products as much as possible.

You may also want to avoid spending time in areas where people are likely to be wearing fragrances, such as beauty salons and department stores.

Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke is another surprising trigger of rhinitis. Exposure to cigarette smoke can irritate the nasal passages and cause symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itching.

In addition to triggering rhinitis symptoms, cigarette smoke is also a major risk factor for respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.

To reduce your risk of cigarette smoke-related rhinitis, it’s important to avoid smoking, as well as spending time around people who are smoking.

If you live with a smoker, you may want to encourage them to quit or to smoke outside to reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke.

Animal Dander

For people with rhinitis, exposure to animal dander can trigger allergic reactions that cause symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itching.

Dander, which consists of tiny flakes of skin shed by animals, can be found in the fur, hair, and feathers of pets and other animals.

To reduce your risk of animal dander-related rhinitis, it’s important to avoid contact with animals as much as possible if you know that you are allergic to them.

You should also avoid bringing animals into your home, and consider using air purifiers or other devices to filter out dander and other allergens from the air.

Pollen and Other Allergens

While pollen and other common allergens are well-known triggers of rhinitis, it’s worth noting that they can sometimes be surprising as well.

For example, some people may be allergic to certain types of pollen that are not as well-known as others, such as rye grass or mugwort. Other potential allergens that can trigger rhinitis include pet hair, dust mites, and certain types of food.

To reduce your exposure to pollen and other allergens, it’s important to stay aware of which substances trigger your rhinitis symptoms.

You can also take steps to reduce your exposure to pollen and other allergens by avoiding spending time outdoors during peak pollen season, using air purifiers in your home, and keeping your home clean and free of dust and other allergens.

Viral Infections

Finally, it’s worth noting that viral infections can also be surprising triggers of rhinitis.

When you catch a cold or another type of viral infection, your body’s immune response can cause inflammation in your nasal passages, which can lead to symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and itching.

To reduce your risk of viral infections, it’s important to take steps to maintain your overall health, including getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and washing your hands regularly.

If you do catch a viral infection, it’s important to take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and avoiding contact with others to prevent the spread of the infection.