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Why Is My Nose So Sensitive? Understanding Rhinitis (Sensitive Nose)
November 10, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Rhinitis, or sensitive nose, occurs when inflammation is triggered by allergens, irritants like smoke, or even weather changes, causing symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and runny discharge.
- Symptoms of rhinitis can be effectively controlled using medication, allergen avoidance, and, in some cases, immunotherapy, leading to significant quality of life improvement.
- If your symptoms persist despite over-the-counter treatment or significantly impair your sleep and breathing, visit an ENT specialist in Singapore like Dr Gan Eng Cern
If you’re constantly asking yourself why your nose is so sensitive, you are not alone. Nasal congestion and irritation affect a huge percentage of the Singaporean population, impacting everything from productivity to sleep quality. This comprehensive guide will explore the causes and treatments for Rhinitis with Dr Gan ENT, a trusted ENT clinic in Singapore committed to diagnosing and treating your nasal issues effectively.
What is Rhinitis?
Rhinitis is the medical term for “Sensitive Nose”. It refers to inflammation of the nasal cavity and is a common condition, affecting almost 10% to 30% of the population worldwide. Some people may trivialise the significance of rhinitis, but numerous studies have shown that it has a significant socioeconomic cost, adversely affects the quality of life of the patients, work productivity, and may even worsen symptoms in patients with asthma. In fact, asthma and rhinitis often co-exist, with approximately 80% of patients with asthma suffering from rhinitis, and about 20-50% of patients with rhinitis having concomitant asthma. Treatment of rhinitis may improve asthma, and early treatment of allergies may prevent the development of asthma.
What are the types of Rhinitis?
The types of Rhinitis can be broadly divided into:
a) Allergic Rhinitis (AR)
This is the most common form of rhinitis and is caused by exposure to allergens, which are proteins that trigger an allergic reaction. Common allergens include house dust mites, grass or tree pollens, animal dander, mould, and cockroaches. Traditionally, AR was classified as:
- Seasonal – This occurs in Spring and Autumn (Fall) when there is more pollen from trees, grass or weed causing the allergy
- Perennial – Occuring all year round due to allergens that are present regardless of season.
The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guideline has reclassified AR based on symptom frequency (“Intermittent” or “Persistent”) and symptom severity (“Mild”, “Moderate” or “Severe”). This classification provides a guide on the type of treatment required for allergic rhinitis.
b) Non-Allergic Rhinitis
This is rhinitis that is not caused by exposure to an allergen. Common causes of non-allergic rhinitis include cigarette smoke, traffic fumes, perfume, strong odours, stress, and a change in weather conditions. However, the symptoms of this condition is similar to those of allergic rhinitis.
c) Infectious Rhinitis
This is rhinitis caused by a viral infection. The common cold and flu are typical forms of infectious rhinitis that lead to temporary nasal inflammation.
What are the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis?
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
- Blocked nose
- Clear runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchiness in nose and eyes
- Watery eyes
- Mucous and phlegm in the throat (from “postnasal drip”)
Learn more about rhinitis symptoms and how they may differ from a common cold.
What causes Allergic Rhinitis?
While the causes of allergic rhinitis is not completely understood, there is evidence of a hereditary cause. Patients with a family history of allergic rhinitis are more likely to have it than those who do not.
How do I tell if I have a cold and not Allergic Rhinitis?
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be similar to those of a cold. However, there are key differences with a cold having more of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Sorethroat
- Coloured mucous (Yellow, green or brown)
- Thick mucous or phlegm
- Body ache and tiredness
- Usually resolves within a week
- Less itching of the nose and eyes
How is a cold different from Sinusitis?
Symptoms of sinusitis can be similar to a cold. However, sinusitis usually lasts longer than 10 days, or the symptoms do not get better after 5 days of infection. As sinusitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection, treatment with oral antibiotics is important. On the other hand, a cold is a viral infection, and your body’s immune system should be able to fight it off. Antibiotics will not be helpful. Common symptoms of sinusitis include:
- Facial pressure or pain
- Nasal blockage
- Nasal congestion (feeling of mucous stuck in the nose)
- Coloured mucous (yellow, green or brown) or thick mucous/phelgm
- Loss or decreased sense of smell
Allergic Rhinitis vs. Cold vs. Sinusitis Comparison
| Symptom/Feature | Allergic Rhinitis (Sensitive Nose) | Common Cold or Flu | Sinusitis |
| Duration | Weeks, months, or perennial | Typically 3–7 days | Lasts >10 days or worsens after 5 days |
| Primary Cause | Allergen/Irritant exposure | Viral Infection | Bacterial Infection (often post-viral) |
| Mucus Colour | Clear, thin, watery | Clear, may turn slightly yellow/thick | Thick, yellow, green, or brown |
| Itchiness (Nose/Eyes) | Prominent and frequent | Rare or mild | Rare |
| Fever | No | Common especially with a flu | Less often |
| Facial Pain/Pressure | No, unless severe swelling | Mild | Prominent and localised |
How is Allergic Rhinitis diagnosed?
Rhinitis can be diagnosed based on suggestive clinical history and nasoendoscopic findings.
A nasoendoscopy is performed in the clinic and involves the passing of a small lighted tube into the nose and down the back of the throat (Fig 1a). In a nasoendoscopy, the inferior turbinates may be enlarged (Fig 2a&b). A skin prick test (a form of Allergy Test) can be performed to help differentiate between Allergic and Non-Allergic rhinitis (Fig 3a&b).
Figure 1a- Flexible nasoendoscope is a painless procedure that is done in the clinic under local anaesthesia
Figure 2a -An illustration of the front view of the nose showing the difference between a normal versus an enlarged inferior turbinate
A nasoendoscopic view of the front part of the left nasal cavity. The enlarged left inferior turbinate (indicated by yellow arrow) is almost touching the nasal septum (wall between the right and left nose indicated by yellow asterisk).
Need Medical Advice from an ENT Specialist?
No referral is required. Whether you are seeking a diagnosis, treatment advice or a second opinion, Dr Gan provides specialist assessment and personalised treatment planning.
Contact Us
Need Medical Advice from an ENT Specialist?
No referral is required. Whether you are seeking a diagnosis, treatment advice or a second opinion, Dr Gan provides specialist assessment and personalised treatment planning.
Contact UsWhat are the Treatment Options for Allergic Rhinitis?
Allergen Avoidance
The most common allergen amongst Singaporeans is house dust mite. Hence, those with dust mite allergy should wash their bedsheets and pillow cases once a week with hot water (at least 60 degrees Celsius) to get rid of the dust mite allergens. As it is not possible to avoid all allergens in the environment, you will need medications to keep your symptoms under control.
Medication
In patients with troubling rhinitis symptoms, the use of a nasal steroid spray is advised. Nasal steroid spray reduces inflammation in the nose and is effective in alleviating all symptoms of allergic rhinitis (Fig 4). While many people have concerns about the side effects of steroids, modern nasal steroid sprays have minimal absorption into the bloodstream. Hence, the systemic side effects from the steroid are negligible. Some nasal steroid sprays can be used in children as young as 2 years old. Nasal steroid sprays do take time to be effective (from days to 2 weeks for maximal effect) and has to be used on a daily basis. It is important that patients are diligent and comply with the use of nasal steroid spray before giving up this treatment modality. It is equally important that the correct application technique is used for the steroid to reach the correct areas in the nose. The patient should tilt his or her head down, insert the spray into one nostril, and aim the nozzle slightly away from the centre (towards the eye on the same side). Application of the spray should be timed with normal inhalation (a normal, gentle breath in).
Figure 4 – Common nasal steroid sprays available in Singapore
Other medications for allergic rhinitis include leukotriene receptor antagonists, anticholinergics, and cromolyn. They are however, not the first line of treatment and may only be useful under certain conditions. It is therefore best to discuss with your doctor if these medications will benefit you.
Immunotherapy
In immunotherapy, the patient is presented with the known allergen in a small dose repeatedly to desensitise the patient to that allergen. It can be given via an injection into the arm (Subcutaneous Immunotherapy – SLIT) or sprayed under the tongue (Sublingual Immunotherapy – SLIT).
In Singapore, immunotherapy is most commonly applied under the tongue (Fig 5). Patients will need to use SLIT for at least 3 years, as it takes time for the body’s immune response to the allergen to change. However, symptom improvement can be expected after about 3-6 months of therapy.
Figure 5 – Sublingual immunotherapy (SILT) involves spraying the allergen under the tongue on a daily basis to desensitize the patient to that allergen
Surgery
Surgery for allergic rhinitis is aimed at relieving the symptoms. It does not alter the disease process of allergic rhinitis. Most commonly, surgery is performed to relieve nasal obstruction. This is achieved by reducing the size of the inferior turbinates (Fig 6). There are many ways to reduce the size of inferior turbinates. Less aggressive procedures (e.g. radiofrequency or coblation of the inferior turbinates) can be done in the clinic setting under local anaesthesia, while more aggressive procedures (e.g inferior turbinoplasty) have to be done in the operating theatre under general anaesthesia (patient asleep during the procedure).
Figure 6a – Enlarged left inferior turbinate (indicated by yellow arrow) almost touching the nasal septum (indicated by yellow asterisk)
Figure 6b- After a turbinate reduction surgery (in this case inferior turbinoplasty). There is a lot more space in the left nasal cavity with a smaller left inferior turbinate (indicated by yellow arrow) that is far away from the nasal septum (indicated by yellow asterisk). In the endoscope view, one can see all the way to the back of the patient’s nose (postnasal space – indicated by yellow square)
Final Thoughts from Your ENT Specialist
If you are struggling with chronic nasal symptoms, understand that rhinitis (sensitive nose) is a common but treatable condition that should not be trivialised, as uncontrolled symptoms can severely impact your sleep, concentration, and overall health. While allergen avoidance and medication offer significant relief, an accurate diagnosis is key to long-term management. If over-the-counter treatments are failing or you suspect severe inflammation, consult an ENT specialist. Dr Gan is an experienced ENT doctor in Singapore who can provide effective allergic rhinitis treatment in Singapore and explore options for a lasting sinusitis cure if your condition is complicated.
