Does ClariFix Cryotherapy work for runny nose?

Many adults have problems with nasal congestion and a chronic runny nose. This can be a common problem with several different causes. A visit with a board certified Ear, Nose, & Throat physician should be your first trip for this common nasal problem.

A thorough examination will include a history of your symptoms, and an examination of your complete ENT organ system. This will include a nasal endoscopic examination and possibly a CT scan of your nose and sinuses. They will ask about prior medications you may have tried including OTC and prescribed. They can include nasal steroids, antihistamines, decongestants, oral steroids, and allergy therapy.

Once your doctor has determined from your history and examination what the likely source of your problem is, they will assess you for several causes of a runny nose, medically termed rhinitis. The first common causes that should be evaluated for are sources like indoor allergens, outdoor allergens, tobacco exposure, and pollutant exposure.

How to treat Chronic Rhinitis

Most of the previously mentioned causes can be eliminated with alterations in exposure, and sometimes with topical nasal steroids like Flonase, Nasacort, or Rhinocort.   A topical antihistamine steroid combination (Dymista) is also sometimes effective.

Another effective treatment is a topical decongestant, combined with a saline nasal rinse, and followed with a nasal steroid (fluticasone). The plan is to get the nasal mucosa open with a decongestant, clean the nose with a saline rinse, and then use a nasal steroid to decrease the swelling and inflammation that can cause a runny nose.

What Causes Chronic Rhinitis?

Other causes of rhinorrhea that are usually temporary and resolve spontaneously are the rhinitis produced by viral infections. These are commonly associated with other symptoms including fever, malaise, sore throat, and possibly swollen lymph nodes. These common viral infections and are usually short-lived and are treated symptomatically. Bacterial infections of the nose and sinus have been addressed in my other blogs.

What is Vasomotor Rhinitis?

Some patients have a condition called vasomotor rhinitis, which is a physiologic process where the nerve endings in the nose overstimulate the glands that produce mucus in the nose, and thus too many secretions– We commonly call this a runny nose. This is often associated with other phenomenon that stimulates these involuntary nerves including, crying and eating. Patients with vasomotor rhinitis can often produce what seems like constant nasal secretions and may have to constantly blow or otherwise clear their nose.

Another treatment option

Atrovent (ipratropium) is a topical nasal spray that has been prescribed for many people and is very effective in alleviating the symptoms of runny nose, especially in the elderly and for those whose symptoms are worse after they eat. For most patients, Atrovent is quite effective, but it may require long term treatment.

ClariFix Cryotherapy for Chronic Rhinitis

There is a relatively new and effective office-based treatment known as cryotherapy which uses a cryosurgical tool (trade name of the device is ClariFix). This treatment is approved by the FDA as a safe and effective treatment for vasomotor rhinitis. It is intended to be a one-time therapy.

The treatment is done in our ENT physician office, where I apply a topical anesthetic to the nose and then inject lidocaine in the area to be treated. The treated area is the nasal branches of the vidian nerve. Using an endoscope to guide the location of the device the treatment takes just minutes to perform. There is very little discomfort associated with the treatment, and the onset is usually achieved within 10 days.

To find out if you are a candidate for the cryotherapy for chronic rhinitis please call (956) 350 8787. 

To learn more about ClariFix Cryotherapy, click here.