Your partner may not recognize all the changes taking place in their bodies due to Parkinson’s Disease. We expected stiffness, tremors and mobility challenges, we did not expect a perpetually runny nose. Rhinorrea, the technical term, is three times more common in people with PD than it is in the general public. Nor did we realize that the dry scalp and skin patches he has fought for years could be connected to his diagnosis of PD. This is a more common symptom and can show as either dry or oily patches according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

I find that I need to be my husband’s “eyes” as things progress with this illness. He is quick to dismiss things that are happening or make excuses like “I’m sure it’s just allergies” or “I’ve always had a dry scalp”. It is true that these things may seem like they have been there forever, but it also may mean that he had PD at a much earlier age with limited symptomology. Unfortunately, we may never know for sure, and also unfortunately, traditional PD meds don’t help with many of these unusual symptoms. The good news is that there are treatments available that will work, once the problem has been identified.

In our case, my husband’s primary care physician has prescribed an antihistamine that controls his runny nose. He also sees a dermatologist annually and has a prescription for the dry skin patches. He uses a dandruff control shampoo to help with his dry scalp.

For more information on less common symptoms visit 10 Lesser Known Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms on the Michael J. Fox Foundation website or Is it Related to PD?, a presentation on the Parkinson’s Foundation website.