Vasomotor rhinitis: an update

A comparison of pertinent features of three types of rhinitis, with emphasis on etiology, and immunologic factors, is made. Separation of nasal allergy from vasomotor rhinitis and from nasal polyposis is attempted. The ambiguity of terms used by various authors, which has caused confusion in the classification of rhinitis, is noted. It is the author's opinion that allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis and nasal polyposis are nasal diseases with their own identity in the majority of instances. However, this identity is not always clearly evident. Too often, allergic principles of treatment, particularly immunotherapy, are advised, and not found to be helpful.