ClariFix® Cryotherapy for Chronic Rhinitis

A single in-clinic procedure to reduce the overactive nasal nerve signals driving your runny nose, congestion, and post-nasal drip.

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If you live with a persistently runny nose, constant post-nasal drip, or the daily frustrations of hay fever or chronic rhinitis, you will know how relentlessly it affects everything. Carrying tissues wherever you go. Waking up congested. Antihistamines that leave you drowsy, or nasal sprays that work less and less well over time — and still the symptoms return.

ClariFix is different. Rather than masking symptoms day by day, it targets the underlying cause: the overactive posterior nasal nerves that are sending continuous, excessive signals to the lining of your nose. Using precisely controlled cryotherapy — a brief, targeted application of cold — ClariFix disrupts those nerve signals at source. Most patients experience a significant, lasting reduction in symptoms. For many, it is the first long-term relief they have found.

Chronic rhinitis — and why it is so difficult to treat

Rhinitis means inflammation of the lining of the nose. When symptoms persist for weeks, months, or years, it is classed as chronic rhinitis — one of the most common conditions managed by ENT specialists, yet one that is frequently undertreated or poorly controlled.

Chronic rhinitis takes two main forms, and understanding the difference matters for treatment:

Allergic rhinitis — including hay fever

Allergic rhinitis is triggered by an immune response to an allergen — most commonly pollen (causing the classic seasonal hay fever), but also house dust mite, pet dander, mould, or grass. When you encounter the allergen, your immune system releases histamine, which inflames the nasal lining and causes the familiar cascade: sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, and post-nasal drip. Hay fever is the most widespread form, affecting an estimated 10–30% of adults in the UK, with symptoms typically peaking between March and September. For many patients, hay fever worsens year on year — and antihistamines that once worked reliably begin to lose their effect.

Non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis)

Non-allergic rhinitis — sometimes called vasomotor rhinitis — produces the same symptoms as allergic rhinitis but without an immune trigger. Instead, it is driven by overactive posterior nasal nerves that respond disproportionately to everyday stimuli: changes in temperature or humidity, strong smells, alcohol, smoke, exercise, or stress. Unlike hay fever, vasomotor rhinitis does not cause itchy eyes and does not respond to antihistamines. It can occur year-round, and patients often spend years being misdiagnosed or receiving treatments that offer little benefit.

Both forms of rhinitis can be effectively treated with ClariFix. By targeting the posterior nasal nerves responsible for excessive secretion and inflammation, cryotherapy reduces symptoms regardless of whether the underlying trigger is allergic or non-allergic.

When antihistamines and nasal sprays are not enough

Antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroid sprays are the standard first-line treatments for allergic rhinitis and hay fever — and for many patients, they provide adequate control. But for a significant proportion of sufferers, medication management falls short:

Antihistamines address the histamine response but do not suppress the overactive nerve signals driving mucus production — and they can cause drowsiness, dry mouth, dry eyes, and cognitive dulling even in "non-drowsy" formulations
Nasal corticosteroid sprays reduce inflammation but require daily use, can cause nasal dryness or nosebleeds, and lose efficacy for some patients over time
Decongestant sprays can provide short-term relief but carry a significant risk of rebound congestion (rhinitis medicamentosa) with prolonged use
Immunotherapy (allergy injections or sublingual drops) can help with allergic rhinitis but requires years of ongoing treatment and is not appropriate for non-allergic rhinitis

For patients whose rhinitis is not adequately controlled by these approaches — or who prefer not to rely on daily medication with its associated side effects — ClariFix offers a lasting, clinically proven alternative.

ClariFix for hay fever

Hay fever — or seasonal allergic rhinitis — affects an estimated 13 million people in the UK, and its severity is increasing. Longer pollen seasons, higher pollen counts, and changing weather patterns mean that what was once a minor seasonal inconvenience now significantly affects quality of life for a large proportion of sufferers. Weeks of persistent sneezing, itching, congestion, and post-nasal drip. Disrupted sleep. Reduced ability to concentrate. For some, it affects every year from March through September.

For patients whose hay fever is poorly controlled despite antihistamines and nasal sprays — or who find that medications which once worked reliably have become less effective over time — ClariFix offers a clinically proven, longer-term option. By cooling the posterior nasal nerve responsible for excessive secretion and inflammation, ClariFix reduces the intensity of the nasal response to pollen and other allergens. Most patients experience a significant and durable reduction in their rhinitis symptoms, with improvement typically sustained well beyond the first pollen season following treatment.

ClariFix does not eliminate the underlying allergy — pollen sensitivity remains — but it meaningfully reduces the nasal nerve response that turns that sensitivity into daily misery. For many patients, this provides more effective and longer-lasting relief than medication management alone.

How ClariFix works — getting to the source

The nose is controlled, in part, by the posterior nasal nerve (PNN) — a nerve pathway that governs the secretion and inflammatory response of the nasal lining. In patients with chronic rhinitis, these nerves become overactive: they fire too frequently and too strongly, sending excessive signals that cause the nose to drip, swell, and produce far more mucus than is needed.

ClariFix is the only clinically approved cryotherapy treatment that precisely targets and cools the posterior nasal nerve. Using a slim probe guided endoscopically to the back of the nose, a controlled application of cold is applied to the nerve tissue. This disrupts the overactive signals at source — reducing the intensity and frequency of the nerve's response. The result is a sustained, meaningful reduction in the symptoms the nerve was driving: runny nose, congestion, and post-nasal drip. In clinical studies, four out of five patients reported long-lasting symptom improvement following the procedure.

ClariFix works for both allergic rhinitis (including hay fever) and non-allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis — making it suitable for a broad range of chronic rhinitis patients.

Is ClariFix right for you?

ClariFix is suitable for adults with moderate to severe chronic rhinitis whose symptoms have not been adequately controlled by medical treatment. You may be a good candidate if you experience:

A persistently runny nose that is not fully controlled by antihistamines or nasal sprays
Hay fever symptoms — sneezing, itching, congestion, watery eyes — that worsen each season or are no longer well-managed by medication
Constant or intermittent post-nasal drip — the sensation of mucus collecting or dripping at the back of the throat
Nasal congestion that interferes with your sleep, breathing, or daily activities
Non-allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis triggered by temperature changes, humidity, strong smells, or other non-allergic stimuli
Rhinitis symptoms that are contributing to snoring or disrupted sleep
A desire to reduce or eliminate dependence on daily antihistamines or nasal sprays

ClariFix is most effective for rhinitis driven by overactive posterior nasal nerves — both allergic and non-allergic. It is not indicated for patients whose primary problem is postnasal drip arising from the throat (such as laryngopharyngeal reflux), or congestion caused by a structural nasal abnormality such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps. Your consultant will assess your symptoms and anatomy carefully to confirm suitability before any treatment is recommended.

Individual factors including rhinitis type, severity, medical history, and prior treatment response all influence suitability and expected outcome — each of these is assessed carefully at consultation.

What to expect

ClariFix is performed as an in-clinic outpatient procedure under local anaesthesia. No general anaesthetic, no overnight stay, and no surgical incisions. Here is what to expect:

Your consultant will numb the inside of your nose with a topical or local anaesthetic to ensure you are comfortable throughout.
A slim flexible endoscope is gently passed through the nose to guide the precise placement of the ClariFix probe to the posterior nasal region.
The probe is applied to the target area and delivers a brief, controlled application of cryotherapy — typically 30–45 seconds per side.
The procedure is complete. Most patients experience only mild pressure or a cooling sensation, with no significant pain.

The full appointment typically takes under an hour, and most patients return to normal activities the same day. Some patients experience a temporary increase in nasal congestion in the days following the procedure as the treated tissue heals — this resolves on its own and is a normal part of the recovery process.

Most patients begin to notice a sustained improvement in symptoms between two and six weeks after treatment — with the majority seeing meaningful change within 30 days — as the nerve response gradually diminishes.

Why choose Hillser Clinic?

Consultant-led expertise – ClariFix at Hillser Clinic is performed by senior rhinologist ENT consultants with specialist expertise in the full range of nasal conditions.

Advanced techniques – In-clinic procedure using the latest endoscopic cryotherapy technology. Precise, well-tolerated, and completed in a single appointment — with same-day return to normal activities.

Integrated care – Offered as part of a broader nasal and sleep health care pathway, and can be combined with other treatments where clinically appropriate.

Safety and clinical excellence – procedures carried out at leading hospitals in London and the South East, ensuring safe and convenient care for patients from a wide area.

FAQs

Yes. ClariFix is effective for both allergic rhinitis (including hay fever and pollen-triggered rhinitis) and non-allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis. It works by cooling the posterior nasal nerve that drives excessive nasal secretion and inflammation — reducing the nasal response regardless of whether the underlying trigger is an allergen such as pollen or a non-allergic stimulus.
Clinical studies show that four out of five patients report a significant and long-lasting reduction in rhinitis symptoms following ClariFix. Many patients maintain substantial improvement at 12 months and beyond. Individual outcomes vary, and your consultant will give you a realistic picture of what to expect based on your specific presentation.
Yes. ClariFix can be performed alongside ongoing medical management. Many patients continue using their existing medication during the healing period and find they can reduce or discontinue it as their symptoms improve. Your consultant will advise you on what to expect and how to manage the transition.

The majority of patients achieve satisfactory and sustained symptom relief from a single ClariFix procedure. In some cases — particularly where rhinitis is severe or symptoms return over time — a repeat procedure may be considered. Your consultant will discuss this based on your response to treatment.
No. ClariFix is a minimally invasive in-clinic procedure that does not involve any cuts, incisions, or structural changes to the nose. There is no external scarring and no change to the shape or appearance of the nose.
We typically offer consultations within a few days of enquiry. Please contact us via the website or by email to check current availability.

If a persistently runny nose, hay fever, or post-nasal drip is affecting your daily life, sleep, or work — and medications are no longer delivering the relief you need — ClariFix may offer the longer-term solution you have been looking for.

Book your consultation today with Hillser Clinic and take the first step towards better breathing.