vasomotor rhinitis

Dear Ciara, I am allergic to the cold. It is something that people struggle to understand, especially people I meet who are from or live in colder climates. "How could you possibly be allergic to the cold?" It isn’t a known allergen in the way pollen or dander is, and I admit: they’re technically not wrong. I’m not literally allergic to the cold. However, I have come to learn in the last few years (after endless research) that I likely suffer from something called vasomotor rhinitis. Not that I necessarily condone self-diagnosis, but it is the most accurate diagnosis I have found that describes my symptoms. Vasomotor rhinitis is a form of non-allergic rhinitis. The symptoms closely resemble hayfever; however, they are actually caused by hyperreactive blood vessels and nerves in the sinuses. Symptoms are triggered by environmental irritants or shifts in the autonomic nervous system. For me, my main triggers are the cold and dry air (lacking humidity). A bit of context: having grown up…