Allergic Rhinitis is one of the most common issue that we are facing today. Be it due to pollution or seasonal change, 2 to 3 out of 10 person possess allergy.
An allergen is a harmless substance that causes an allergic reaction. Allergic rhinitis, or commonly known as hay fever, is an allergic response to specific allergens. Pollen is the most common allergen among all in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Its symptoms occur mostly with the change of seasons.
Nearly 2 out 10 person possesses allergic rhinitis of some kind throughout the world
Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
• sneezing
• a runny nose
• a stuffy nose
• an itchy nose
• coughing
• a sore or scratchy throat
• itchy eyes
• watery eyes
• dark circles under the eyes
• frequent headaches
• eczema-type symptoms, such as having extremely dry, itchy skin that can blister and weep
• hives
• excessive fatigue
As soon as you come in contact with an allergen, you may feel one or more of the above symptoms. There are few symptoms such as fatigue and recurrent headaches that may occur after long-term exposure to allergens.
Release of histamine occurs whenever your body comes into contact with an allergen, which is nothing but a natural chemical that defends your body from the allergen. This histamine causes allergic rhinitis.
Apart from tree pollen, other common allergens include:
• grass pollen
• dust mites
• animal dander, which is old skin
• cat saliva
• mold
During spring season tree and flower pollens are more common wherein during summer and fall, grasses and weeds produce more pollen.
Allergic rhinitis are of two types: seasonal and perennial. Seasonal one usually occur during the spring and fall season and are typically in response to outdoor allergens like pollen. Whereas Perennial allergies can occur year round, or at any time during the year in response to indoor substances, like dust mites and pet dander.
Rhinitis allergies can affect anyone, but you’re more likely to develop allergic rhinitis if there is a history of allergies in your family. Having atopic eczema or asthma can also increase your risk of allergic rhinitis.
Some external factors can trigger or worsen this condition, including:
• cigarette smoke
• chemicals
• cold temperatures
• humidity
• wind
• air pollution
• hairspray
• perfumes
• colognes
• wood smoke
• fumes
Minor allergies, only need a physical exam. However, your doctor may perform certain tests to figure out the best treatment and prevention plan for you.
One of the most common method to diagnosed allergy is skin prick test. In this test, doctor places several substances onto your skin to see how your body reacts to each one. Generally, a small red bump appears if one allergic to a substance.
A blood test, or radioallergosorbent test (RAST), is also common. The RAST measures the amount of immunoglobulin E antibodies to particular allergens in your blood.
We can treat our allergic rhinitis in several ways which may include medications, as well as home remedies and possibly alternative medicines. Talk to the doctor before trying any new treatment measure for allergic rhinitis.
Some popular over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines include:
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• desloratadine (Clarinex)
• loratadine (Claritin)
• levocetirizine (Xyzal)
• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Doctor consultation is important before starting any new medication to make sure that the new allergy medication won’t interfere with other medications or medical conditions.
• oxymetazoline (Afrin nasal spray)
• pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
• cetirizine with pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D)
If you have heart disease, abnormal heart rhythm, history of stroke, anxiety, a sleep disorder, high blood pressure, or bladder issues, it would be advisable for you to speak with your doctor before using a decongestant.
Just like decongestants, overusing certain eye drops and nasal drops can also cause a rebound effect.
Corticosteroids can help with inflammation and immune response and it do not cause a rebound effect. Steroid nasal sprays are commonly recommended for a long-term to manage allergy symptoms.
Always consult to your doctor before starting a regimen of any allergy treatment to make sure you are taking the best medications for your symptoms. Your doctor can also help you to determine which products are made for short-term use and which are designed for long-term management.
What is allergic rhinitis?
An allergen is a harmless substance that causes an allergic reaction. Allergic rhinitis, or commonly known as hay fever, is an allergic response to specific allergens. Pollen is the most common allergen among all in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Its symptoms occur mostly with the change of seasons.
Nearly 2 out 10 person possesses allergic rhinitis of some kind throughout the world
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis
Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
• sneezing
• a runny nose
• a stuffy nose
• an itchy nose
• coughing
• a sore or scratchy throat
• itchy eyes
• watery eyes
• dark circles under the eyes
• frequent headaches
• eczema-type symptoms, such as having extremely dry, itchy skin that can blister and weep
• hives
• excessive fatigue
As soon as you come in contact with an allergen, you may feel one or more of the above symptoms. There are few symptoms such as fatigue and recurrent headaches that may occur after long-term exposure to allergens.
What causes allergic rhinitis?
Release of histamine occurs whenever your body comes into contact with an allergen, which is nothing but a natural chemical that defends your body from the allergen. This histamine causes allergic rhinitis.
Apart from tree pollen, other common allergens include:
• grass pollen
• dust mites
• animal dander, which is old skin
• cat saliva
• mold
During spring season tree and flower pollens are more common wherein during summer and fall, grasses and weeds produce more pollen.
What are the types of allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis are of two types: seasonal and perennial. Seasonal one usually occur during the spring and fall season and are typically in response to outdoor allergens like pollen. Whereas Perennial allergies can occur year round, or at any time during the year in response to indoor substances, like dust mites and pet dander.
Risk factors for allergic rhinitis
Rhinitis allergies can affect anyone, but you’re more likely to develop allergic rhinitis if there is a history of allergies in your family. Having atopic eczema or asthma can also increase your risk of allergic rhinitis.
Some external factors can trigger or worsen this condition, including:
• cigarette smoke
• chemicals
• cold temperatures
• humidity
• wind
• air pollution
• hairspray
• perfumes
• colognes
• wood smoke
• fumes
How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?
Minor allergies, only need a physical exam. However, your doctor may perform certain tests to figure out the best treatment and prevention plan for you.
One of the most common method to diagnosed allergy is skin prick test. In this test, doctor places several substances onto your skin to see how your body reacts to each one. Generally, a small red bump appears if one allergic to a substance.
A blood test, or radioallergosorbent test (RAST), is also common. The RAST measures the amount of immunoglobulin E antibodies to particular allergens in your blood.
Treatments for allergic rhinitis
We can treat our allergic rhinitis in several ways which may include medications, as well as home remedies and possibly alternative medicines. Talk to the doctor before trying any new treatment measure for allergic rhinitis.
Antihistamines
It can be used to treat allergies. They work by stopping your body from making histamine.Some popular over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines include:
• fexofenadine (Allegra)
• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• desloratadine (Clarinex)
• loratadine (Claritin)
• levocetirizine (Xyzal)
• cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Doctor consultation is important before starting any new medication to make sure that the new allergy medication won’t interfere with other medications or medical conditions.
Decongestants
To relieve a stuffy nose and sinus pressure, decongestants can be used over a short period, usually no longer than three days. Longer usage can cause a rebound effect meaning the symptoms can get even worse once you stop using it. Some popular decongestants include:• oxymetazoline (Afrin nasal spray)
• pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• phenylephrine (Sudafed PE)
• cetirizine with pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D)
If you have heart disease, abnormal heart rhythm, history of stroke, anxiety, a sleep disorder, high blood pressure, or bladder issues, it would be advisable for you to speak with your doctor before using a decongestant.
Nasal sprays and Eye drops
Nasal sprays and Eye drops can help relieve itchiness, sneezing and other allergy-related symptoms for a short time. However, you may need to avoid long-term use.Just like decongestants, overusing certain eye drops and nasal drops can also cause a rebound effect.
Corticosteroids can help with inflammation and immune response and it do not cause a rebound effect. Steroid nasal sprays are commonly recommended for a long-term to manage allergy symptoms.
Always consult to your doctor before starting a regimen of any allergy treatment to make sure you are taking the best medications for your symptoms. Your doctor can also help you to determine which products are made for short-term use and which are designed for long-term management.