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Suggest Treatment For Vasomotor Rhinitis
Question: I work in an air-conditioned office where the temperature can go as low as 66 degrees Fahrenheit. I have noticed lately that my voice "cracks" and I am clearing my throat a lot, especially in an air-conditioned place. Is this from the really cold temperature, air conditioning or something else?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
What you are describing may be something called vasomotor rhinitis. It is a form of rhinitis that is not caused by allergies (sometimes called nonallergic rhinitis) and exposure to cold air can be a mechanism for it. It may be, if this is the cause, that there is drainage down the back of your throat and this causes you to have to clear your throat. The drainage from the post nasal drip going into the larynx can be responsible for the voice cracking. The main treatment is avoidance of the situation, but the hot tea that you drink is a good idea, as would be warm water - but these are not getting at the cause of the problem. If there is anyway to get those in charge to not keep it so cold there, that would be the best thing.
The other possibility is that the air conditioner is releasing spores in the air which are causing you to have an allergenic reaction. If that were the case, then an antihistamine such as Benadryl could help.
Something that could help both would be either a steroid nasal spray or an antihistamine nasal spray.
I hope this information helps, and I'm sorry for this problem for you.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
What you are describing may be something called vasomotor rhinitis. It is a form of rhinitis that is not caused by allergies (sometimes called nonallergic rhinitis) and exposure to cold air can be a mechanism for it. It may be, if this is the cause, that there is drainage down the back of your throat and this causes you to have to clear your throat. The drainage from the post nasal drip going into the larynx can be responsible for the voice cracking. The main treatment is avoidance of the situation, but the hot tea that you drink is a good idea, as would be warm water - but these are not getting at the cause of the problem. If there is anyway to get those in charge to not keep it so cold there, that would be the best thing.
The other possibility is that the air conditioner is releasing spores in the air which are causing you to have an allergenic reaction. If that were the case, then an antihistamine such as Benadryl could help.
Something that could help both would be either a steroid nasal spray or an antihistamine nasal spray.
I hope this information helps, and I'm sorry for this problem for you.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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