What exactly is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is a condition in which inflammation occurs inside the nose as a result of an allergic reaction to airborne particles. These particles, which would ordinarily be innocuous to the body, are referred to as allergens.
Could you please tell me what the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are, Doctor?
Common allergic rhinitis symptoms are similar to a cold and include:
- Sneezing
- Nose itch
- A runny or obstructed nose
- Watery and red eyes
- A cough
- Itching on the roof of your mouth
When you come into touch with an allergen, you will likely experience one or more of these symptoms. Some symptoms, such as persistent headaches and exhaustion, may appear only after long-term allergen exposure. Hay fever does not cause fever.
Some people only have symptoms on rare occasions. This is more likely to happen if you are repeatedly exposed to allergens. Others have symptoms throughout the year.
Types of allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is classified into two types:
- Hay fever, also known as seasonal rhinitis, is caused by exposure to allergens in the environment, such as plant pollen.
- Perennial rhinitis, which occurs all year and is frequently triggered by allergens found in dust, animal hair, and mold,
What factors contribute to allergic rhinitis?
When you come into contact with an allergen, your body produces histamine, a natural molecule that protects your body from the allergen. This substance can cause allergic rhinitis and accompanying symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
Besides tree pollen, some other common allergens which can trigger allergic rhinitis include:
- Grass pollen
- Dust mites
- Animal dander, which is old skin.
- Cat saliva
- Mold
Pollen can be especially bothersome during certain seasons of the year. In the spring, pollen from trees and flowers is more common. In the summer and fall, grasses and weeds release more pollen.
Am I at risk now?
Anyone can get allergies, but if someone in your family has had allergies in the past, you are more likely to get allergic rhinitis. If you have asthma or atopic eczema, you may also be more likely to get allergic rhinitis.
External variables that can cause or worsen this illness include:
- Cigarette smoke
- Fumes such as chemicals
- Cold temperatures
- Wind
- Air pollution
- Hairspray
- Perfumes
So how would doctors diagnose allergic rhinitis?
The symptoms described by the affected person and their family history are frequently used to make a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. If the cause of the allergic rhinitis is uncertain, more tests may be required. These tests involve administering small doses of specific allergens to the patient to see if an allergic reaction occurs.One or more of the following tests may be included:
- Intradermal examination
An intradermal test is usually the most accurate approach to identify whether a person has allergic rhinitis. Under the skin, allergens such as grass and weed pollen are injected. After 20 minutes, the area is evaluated to see if there has been an allergic reaction, which causes the skin to turn red and irritated.
- Prick or scratch examination
The most common sort of skin test is the prick or scratch test. It entails pricking or scratching the skin prior to contact with an allergen-containing fluid. The findings are available in 10 to 20 minutes.
- The blood test
If a reaction to an allergen is predicted to be too severe for a skin test, this approach is frequently used. When exposed to different allergens, a blood test examines the level of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood. When an allergen is introduced, the more IgE there is, the more likely the affected person is allergic to that allergy. In general, the results are less accurate than skin testing.
Is it possible to cure?
Although allergic rhinitis cannot be cured in a single day, there are treatments available to control it. There are several ways to treat allergic rhinitis. Medication is one among them, as are home cures and possibly alternative therapies. Before attempting any new treatment methods for allergic rhinitis, consult with your doctor.Some medications, such as steroid nasal sprays, decongestants,antihistamines, or immunotherapy may be prescribed by the doctors.
The treatment’s effectiveness relies on your condition.Therefore,if it is unclear what is causing your symptoms or they are severe, you should always consult a doctor or expert for further health screening and treatment.
