Allergies can be troublesome for many because the immune system mistakenly identifies harmless substances as threats, leading to inflammation and symptoms like sneezing, itching, runny nose, and watery eyes. These persistent and unpredictable symptoms can disrupt your daily life and make you feel exhausted and distracted. Allergic Rhinitis is a seasonal allergy, also called hay fever, and has symptoms similar to a common cold. The cause of Allergic Rhinitis is usually an allergic reaction to substances in the air, such as pollen.
Allergic Rhinitis Types
Allergic rhinitis affects the sinuses and causes inflammation in the nostrils. The disease can range from mild to severe and has several types, which include:
Allergic Rhinitis
It is caused by sensitivity to substances called allergens.
Allergic Rhinitis Types
Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Sometimes called “Hay Fever”. Hay fever is another expression and terminology to refer to this disease. People with seasonal allergic rhinitis are allergic to pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds. Because this type of rhinitis occurs mainly in spring and fall, and this is also the time of hay harvest, seasonal nasal allergies are called Hay Fever.
Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
It is caused by allergens that are present all year round. The primary causes of this type of allergic rhinitis are allergies to dust mites, mold, animal dander, and cockroach remains.
Non-allergic Rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis is not caused by allergens. Smoke, chemicals, or other irritating environmental conditions may cause non-allergic rhinitis. Hormonal changes, physical defects of the nose (such as deviation of the nasal septum), and excessive use of nasal sprays may also cause this issue.
Drugs can sometimes be the cause as well. However, the cause of this type of rhinitis is not well known, but it is common in patients with non-allergic asthma, and the symptoms are similar to those of rhinitis allergies.
Infectious Allergic Rhinitis
The most common type of allergy symptoms appears in the nose, which is known as the common cold or an upper respiratory infection (URI). A cold occurs when the common cold virus enters the mucous membrane of the nose and sinus cavities and causes an infection.
Infectious Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms
Depending on what substance the patient is allergic to, symptoms can start at different times of the year. A person allergic to pollen will have more severe symptoms when the pollen count is high. Symptoms can appear within a few minutes after contact with the allergen. Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
- Sneezing
- Itchy nose
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Cough
- Itchy roof of the mouth, throat, and ears
- Sore throat
- Hoarse voice
- Ear congestion
- Mucous in the back of the throat
- Itching, redness, and watery eyes
- Loss of taste and smell
- Pressure or pain felt on the face
Allergic Rhinitis Causes
Allergic rhinitis is caused by the reaction of the nose to small particles in the air called allergens. In some individuals, these particles also lead to reactions in the lungs (asthma) and eyes.
As the name suggests, Hay fever occurs during the hay harvesting season. Historically, this activity occurred during summer, and around this time, many people experienced allergic symptoms.
Seasonal Allergies (Pollens and Dust)
Allergic rhinitis causes a runny nose and frequent sneezing due to sensitivity to pollen and allergens such as dust. The cells of the patient’s body react to these stimuli or allergens by releasing histamine and other chemicals. When exposed to allergens, most people’s runny nose is easily treated with common medications.
Allergic Rhinitis Causes
This allergic reaction results from the activation of two types of inflammatory cells in the body, called mast cells and basophils. These cells produce natural chemicals such as histamine that lead to symptoms such as nasal congestion, itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Pollen from plants pollinated by insects can act as allergens and are likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Pet Dander Allergy
Dandruff consists of small pieces of dead skin that fall from an animal’s body. Certain types of pet dander are more likely to cause an allergic reaction than others.
What Foods Cause Allergic Rhinitis?
Certain foods can worsen symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including histamine-rich foods like spicy foods, cold foods and drinks, aged cheese, processed meat, and certain fruits and vegetables that cause oral and nasal allergy syndrome. If you suspect food triggers, keeping a food diary and consulting with a healthcare professional can help identify and manage these triggers effectively.
How Long Does Allergic Rhinitis Last?
Allergic rhinitis can be both seasonal and permanent. Some people show allergic rhinitis symptoms only for a month or a few months throughout the year. This group of individuals may suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, some people show allergic rhinitis symptoms all year round, and this indicates that they have permanent allergic rhinitis.
Allergic Rhinitis Diagnosis
The doctor can diagnose allergic rhinitis by performing a physical examination and checking the symptoms. There are various medical tests to confirm the diagnosis and identify the different allergens. Identifying allergens and other triggers is often difficult, but these methods can help identify allergens.
- Remembering where and what we were doing when the symptoms occurred
- A detailed review of the home, workplace, and other environments in terms of the presence of possible allergens
Allergic Rhinitis Treatment
Allergic rhinitis treatment includes drug therapy along with reducing exposure to allergens and other triggers, and in most people, this approach can efficiently control symptoms.
Allergic Rhinitis Treatment
How to Cope Up with Allergic Rhinitis?
Avoid exposure to allergens: Sometimes, people can treat their allergic rhinitis simply by avoiding exposure to the allergens that cause symptoms. You can avoid being in an allergic environment for some time or take antihistamines a few hours before being in the place. It is best to know the source of the allergens that cause the symptoms in order to prevent the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
What is The Best Medicine for Allergic Rhinitis?
Some medication treatments include nasal corticosteroid spray, antihistamines, nasal sprays containing a glucocorticoid (steroid) along with an antihistamine, and decongestants.
Antihistamines: Antihistamines treat the itching, sneezing, and runny nose symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but they do not alleviate nasal congestion.
Nasal spray for Allergic Rhinitis: Nasal corticosteroid spray has few side effects and significantly relieves symptoms in most people.
Nasal sprays containing a glucocorticoid (steroid) along with an antihistamine: Studies have shown that these nasal sprays can relieve symptoms quicker than other medications.
Rinsing the nose with saline sprays: Rinsing the nose with special saline solutions is useful for treating pharyngeal secretions, sneezing, dryness, and nasal congestion.
Can Allergic Rhinitis be Cured Permanently?
Currently, there is no permanent cure for allergic rhinitis. However, with medication and nasal sprays or injections in severe cases, this allergic reaction can be reduced and treated.
Allergic Rhinitis Cure
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you suffer from allergic rhinitis, and you encounter the following conditions, you should see your doctor.
- When you have severe allergic rhinitis, your symptoms get worse
- When you also have asthma, and it is worsening
- When the symptoms affect the sleep cycle and daily life activities
- When you are not sure what causes lead to your symptoms
Final Word
Allergic rhinitis is a type of allergic reaction that affects mostly the nasal area. The symptoms of rhinitis depend on what substance or allergen the person is reacting to at the specific time of year. For more detailed information about this allergic reaction or treatment and how to reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, you can make an appointment with a healthcare specialist and be in touch with doctors specializing in asthma and allergies.
