Severe Rhinitis Medicamentosa Successfully Treated with Rhinolight® Endonasal UV Phototherapy

Aim Report successful application of UV endonasal phototherapy as a treatment for severe rhinitis medicamentosa and allergic rhinitis. Methods Allergic rhinitis confirmed by history and skin prick testing; rhinitis medicamentosa based on history. Both confirmed at nasendoscopy. Symptom score before & after treatment. Introduction of Rhinolight endonasal u/v phototherapy for allergic rhinitis. Single patient report. Results Successful remission of Rhinitis Medicamentosa confirmed with patient after eight sessions Rhinolight endonasal phototherapy. Use of nasal decongestant dropped from 2 bottles/daily x 4 years to zero. Symptoms reduced from 25 pre-treatment to 6 post-treatment. Rhinitis medicamentosa is clinically characterized by nasal congestion without rhinorrhea, postnasal drip, or sneezing that begins after using a nasal decongestant for more than 3 days. Treatment involves discontinuation of the offending drug. Discussion Rhinolight endonasal phototherapy is a new treatment for allergic rhinitis and offered as last resort for a patient with untreated allergic rhinitis and overuse of topical decongestants. Patient reports a significant improvement in symptoms with cessation of topical decongestant. Report a successful application of UV endonasal phototherapy as a treatment for severe rhinitis medicamentosa against a background of long standing allergic rhinitis.