ClariFix for chronic rhinitis: is it right for me?
For patients who have spent years managing a persistently blocked or runny nose with sprays, antihistamines and avoidance strategies — often with only partial and diminishing benefit — ClariFix can represent a meaningful change. It is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the underlying nerve mechanism driving chronic rhinitis symptoms, rather than simply managing those symptoms day to day.
What is chronic rhinitis?
Rhinitis — inflammation of the nasal lining — is one of the most common conditions seen in rhinology practice. It manifests as persistent nasal congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, and sometimes facial pressure or reduced sense of smell. When symptoms are present for more than twelve weeks, it is classified as chronic.
Chronic rhinitis has several causes. Allergic rhinitis is the most widely recognised, but a significant proportion of patients have non-allergic rhinitis, in which symptoms are triggered by changes in temperature, humidity, irritants, or have no identifiable external trigger. The posterior nasal nerve plays a central role in regulating mucus production and blood flow within the nose, and its overactivity is believed to drive the symptoms characteristic of chronic non-allergic or mixed rhinitis.
How does ClariFix work?
ClariFix uses cryotherapy — controlled application of extreme cold — to treat the posterior nasal nerve at its point of entry into the nasal cavity. The treatment is delivered via a small probe introduced through the nostril under endoscopic guidance, which applies a precisely localised freeze to the target tissue.
Because the treatment is directed at the nerve mechanism rather than the mucosal surface, it differs fundamentally from topical therapies such as nasal sprays.
What does the procedure involve?
ClariFix is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anaesthetic, typically taking around twenty to thirty minutes. The nose is anaesthetised with topical spray and, where needed, local anaesthetic injection. The ClariFix probe is then introduced under endoscopic visualisation and the cryotherapy applied to each side of the nasal cavity in turn.
Most patients experience a sensation of pressure and cold during the procedure, but discomfort is generally mild and well-tolerated. There is no incision and no requirement for packing or dressings. Patients can return home immediately and resume normal activities the same day.
What results can patients expect?
Clinical studies of ClariFix have demonstrated significant and sustained reductions in nasal congestion, runny nose and overall rhinitis symptoms in the majority of treated patients. In trials, around three-quarters of patients reported meaningful improvement, with many experiencing benefit that persisted at twelve months and beyond.
Results vary between individuals. Those with a predominantly allergic component may achieve better outcomes with a combination of ClariFix and ongoing allergen management. Your consultant will discuss realistic expectations based on your specific clinical picture.
Who is most likely to benefit?
ClariFix is most suitable for patients with chronic rhinitis — typically with a significant non-allergic or vasomotor component — who have not achieved adequate relief from medical management including nasal corticosteroid sprays, antihistamines and saline irrigation.
It may also be considered in combination with other nasal procedures — such as septoplasty or turbinate reduction — where multiple factors are contributing to symptoms. A thorough rhinological assessment, including flexible nasendoscopy and, where appropriate, allergy testing, is the essential first step.
