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Catarrh and Allergic Rhinitis
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Catarrh and Allergic Rhinitis
- Bouts of sneezing
- A running or blocked nose, with clear mucus
- An itchy nose, throat or eyes
- Red, watery eyes
- Mucus dripping down the back of the throat, with a cough or throat clearing
Catarrh is the word most Nigerians use for a blocked or running nose with mucus, and most of it comes from a cold that clears within a week or two. When sneezing, a running or blocked nose and itchy eyes keep coming back, or last for weeks, the usual cause is allergic rhinitis: the lining of the nose reacting to house dust mites, harmattan dust, pollen, mould, animal hair, smoke or strong smells. It is not an infection, and antibiotics do not help it. It often runs alongside asthma and eczema, and treating the nose can help asthma. Catarrh on one side only, or with pain in the face and a fever, needs a different look.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Bouts of sneezing
- A running or blocked nose, with clear mucus
- An itchy nose, throat or eyes
- Red, watery eyes
- Mucus dripping down the back of the throat, with a cough or throat clearing
- Mouth breathing, snoring and poor sleep
- Symptoms that are worse in harmattan, in dusty rooms or around animals
When to See a Doctor
Go to a hospital now if catarrh comes with swelling or redness around the eye, double vision, a severe headache, confusion or a stiff neck, which can mean a sinus infection has spread; or with wheeze or breathlessness that is getting worse. See a doctor if catarrh lasts more than a few weeks or keeps coming back, stops you sleeping or working, affects one side of the nose only, comes with nosebleeds or a bad smell, or does not improve with treatment. A doctor can advise by video on the right medicine and whether you need an ENT examination.
Treatment options
- Finding and reducing triggers: damp dusting, washing bedding in hot water, keeping windows shut on dusty days
- Salt-water (saline) rinses or sprays to clear the nose
- Antihistamine tablets or nasal sprays, preferably the kind that does not cause drowsiness
- A steroid nasal spray used every day, which works best for a blocked nose but takes days to work
- Treating asthma at the same time, where there is wheeze or cough
- An ENT specialist's review when one side is blocked, symptoms persist, or polyps are suspected
Common Questions
Do antibiotics cure catarrh?
No. Allergic rhinitis is not an infection, and most catarrh from a cold is caused by a virus. Antibiotics do not help either, and they cause side effects. They are only for a bacterial sinus infection a doctor has diagnosed.
Are decongestant nasal sprays safe to use?
For a few days only. Used for more than about a week, they can make the nose block up worse when you stop. A steroid nasal spray is the one meant for daily use.
Can a doctor treat catarrh by video?
Yes, in most cases. A doctor can tell allergic rhinitis from a cold or sinusitis from your history, advise on sprays and tablets, and tell you if your nose needs to be examined by an ENT specialist.
Need Help?
A doctor on a video call, who advises on the right test and treatment, and tells you if you need to be seen in person.
See a doctor by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
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The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Allergic rhinitis. NHS. Patient information.
- Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines: 2016 revision. Brozek JL et al., Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 140(4):950-958, 2017. Peer-reviewed.
Links last checked 29 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.