Blog

If you’re constantly reaching for tissues because of a runny nose, or you feel like your nose is always congested, despite not having a cold or allergies, you might be dealing with chronic rhinitis. This frustrating condition can disrupt your sleep, affect your focus, and even impact your social life. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what chronic rhinitis is, why it happens, and how a minimally invasive treatment called ClariFix® Cryotherapy may offer long-term relief.

What Is Chronic Rhinitis?

Rhinitis is a term that refers to inflammation of the nasal lining, often resulting in symptoms like:

• Runny nose (rhinorrhea)
• Nasal congestion or stuffiness
• Postnasal drip
• Sneezing or throat clearing

When these symptoms last for more than 4 weeks and are not caused by allergies or infection, it’s called chronic nonallergic rhinitis.

One of the key causes of these symptoms is overactive nasal nerves. These nerves send signals that trigger your nose to produce excess mucus or swell up, even when there’s no clear trigger.

Tried Medications Without Relief?

Many people try to manage their symptoms with medications like:

• Nasal steroid sprays
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Saline rinses

While these may provide temporary relief, they often don’t address the underlying nerve activity and symptoms may keep coming back.

What Is ClariFix?

ClariFix® Cryotherapy is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that treats chronic rhinitis at its source. It uses liquid nitrogen to apply controlled cold therapy to the posterior nasal nerve, located in the back of the nasal cavity.

By freezing this overactive nerve tissue, ClariFix helps to interrupt the nerve signals that cause a runny or congested nose—providing long-lasting relief without the need for daily medication.

What to Expect During the Procedure

ClariFix is typically performed right in the ENT clinic and takes about 15 to 20 minutes, but the amount of time may differ considerably depending on the specific situation. Here’s what the process looks like:

• A topical and local anesthetic is applied to numb your nasal passages
• A small cryotherapy device is inserted into the back of your nose
• Liquid nitrogen is used to cool the targeted nerve tissue for just a few seconds
• You can go home shortly afterward—no surgery or general anesthesia required

Most patients describe the procedure as mildly uncomfortable, with a sensation of cold or pressure, but not painful. 

Recovery and Results

Recovery is generally easy:

• You may experience mild congestion, a sore throat, or watery eyes for a few days
• Most people resume normal activities the same day
• Most patients see improvement by 30 days post treatment.

Studies show that many patients continue to experience significant symptom relief months after the procedure.

Is ClariFix Right for You?

ClariFix may be a great option if you:

• Have persistent nasal congestion or drip not explained by allergies or infection
• Have tried medications without lasting success
• Want a long-term solution without daily maintenance

Talk to Your ENT Specialist

Only a qualified ENT specialist can determine whether ClariFix is appropriate for your symptoms. A nasal examination and detailed medical history will help rule out other causes and confirm if this treatment is a good fit for you.

If you’re tired of living with chronic nasal symptoms, ClariFix may be the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.  Contact us for more information.