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Allergic rhinitis treatment

Allergic rhinitis is a long term condition, and almost 20% of the US people are affected by it. When you inhale any dust particle or pollen, your immune system over reacts. Your body releases certain chemicals in a reaction that triggers allergic symptoms. There are two types of allergic rhinitis – Seasonal and Perennial. Seasonal rhinitis occurs mostly during autumn when there is a massive amount of tree and grass pollens in the air. But the Perennial rhinitis can happen all year-round. People who have a history of allergy in their family, or have a weaker immune system are more vulnerable to this.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis :

Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is a common allergic condition that causes inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis can vary in severity and duration, but some common ones include:

1. Sneezing
2. Runny or stuffy nose
3. Itchy nose, throat, or eyes
4. Watery or red eyes
5. Postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of your throat)
6. Fatigue or tiredness
7. Headache
8. Difficulty sleeping
9. Decreased sense of smell or taste

These symptoms are usually triggered by exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor about a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

What causes allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is caused by an immune system reaction to allergens, which are substances that trigger an allergic response. When an individual with allergic rhinitis is exposed to an allergen, their immune system produces an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE) which triggers the release of histamine and other chemicals in the body. These chemicals cause inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages, leading to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Common allergens that can trigger allergic rhinitis include:

1. Pollen from trees, grass, and weeds
2. Dust mites
3. Pet dander from cats and dogs
4. Mold spores
5. Cockroach allergens
6. Certain foods or medications (less common)

Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or year-round, depending on the allergens that trigger the reaction. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually caused by pollen from trees, grass, or weeds, while year-round allergic rhinitis is usually caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, or mold.

What are the types of allergic rhinitis:

There are two main types of allergic rhinitis:

1. Seasonal : This type of allergic rhinitis is also known as hay fever and is triggered by allergens that are present during specific seasons. The most common seasonal allergens include pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds.
2. Perennial : This type of allergic rhinitis is present throughout the year and is caused by allergens that are present year-round, such as dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores.

There are also other types of allergic rhinitis that are less common, including:

1. Occupational Allergic Rhinitis: This type of allergic rhinitis is triggered by exposure to allergens in the workplace, such as chemicals, dust, or animal proteins.
2. Non-allergic Rhinitis: This type of rhinitis causes symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis, such as a runny nose and congestion, but is not caused by an allergic reaction. Non-allergic rhinitis can be triggered by irritants such as smoke, strong odors, or changes in temperature or humidity.
3. Mixed Rhinitis: This type of rhinitis involves both allergic and non-allergic triggers and can have symptoms that are present year-round or seasonally.

Risk factors for allergic rhinitis:

There are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing allergic rhinitis:

1. Family history: Individuals with a family history of allergic rhinitis or other allergies are more likely to develop the condition.
2. Age: Allergic rhinitis can develop at any age, but it often starts in childhood or adolescence and can persist into adulthood.
3. Exposure to allergens: Exposure to allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, can increase the risk of developing allergic rhinitis.
4. Environmental factors: Environmental factors such as air pollution, tobacco smoke, and changes in climate can increase the risk of developing allergic rhinitis.
5. Other allergies or asthma: Individuals with other allergies or asthma are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis.
6. Gender: Allergic rhinitis is more common in males during childhood and adolescence, but more common in females during adulthood.
7. Obesity: Studies have shown that obesity may increase the risk of developing allergic rhinitis.
8. Certain occupations: Certain occupations, such as farming or woodworking, can increase the risk of developing occupational allergic rhinitis.

How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?

To diagnose allergic rhinitis, a healthcare provider will typically start by reviewing the patient’s medical history and asking about their symptoms. The provider may also perform a physical examination of the patient’s nose and throat.

In some cases, the provider may recommend allergy testing to determine the specific allergens that are triggering the allergic reaction. Allergy testing can be done through skin tests or blood tests.

Skin tests involve exposing the skin to small amounts of allergens and monitoring for a reaction. Blood tests measure the amount of allergen-specific antibodies in the blood.

In addition to allergy testing, a healthcare provider may recommend imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI to rule out other conditions that may be causing the patient’s symptoms.

Overall, the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is based on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and the results of any tests or exams performed by the healthcare provider.

Allergic rhinitis treatment

The treatment is divided into two major parts – Preventive and Remedial.

allergic rhinitis treatment -Preventive stage:

If you are concerned enough about your allergic problem, you should take some precautionary measures to keep yourself free from the allergic attack. The TO-DO list includes:

1• Control the dust inside your house. Dust it regularly and wash the bed linens in hot water.
2• Clean your bathtubs and shower regularly.
3• Control pet allergens by limiting them in certain areas.
4• Use lightweight bed sheets and curtains.
5• Avoid going out in the open when the pollen count is high in the air.

Allergic rhinitis treatment-Remedial stage:

Even after doing all these, there is no guarantee that allergens won’t attack you. If so happens, you can do the following things:
• Take 2 cups of warm water and mix one tsp. of salt and a pinch of baking soda with it. Then take in the mixture from one nostril and take it out from the other. Then reverse the technique. Do it a couple of times daily.
• Have some boiling water in a big bowl and add one slice of medicated menthol. Cover your head with a big towel and take the vapor in your nostrils. You can also perform this procedure with ginger.
• If your condition is out of control, please consult with a doctor.