Allergic Rhinitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Allergic Rhinitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments everyone should know. In addition, allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity caused by an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to allergenic particles in the air. Allergic Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal membranes that is characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion , nasal itching and runny nose in any combination. Although allergic rhinitis itself is not life-threatening (unless it is accompanied by severe asthma or anaphylaxis), the morbidity of the condition can be significant.

Causes of Allergic Rhinitis:  People who have other allergic diseases, such as asthma, dermatitis and allergic conjunctivitis, are at greater risk for allergic rhinitis. Other risk factors for allergic rhinitis include a family history, going to humid and stuffy places, or living in areas with a lot of air pollution.

Main Causes of Rhinitis Can Be:

• Allergy to dust, mites, animal skin peeling , tree or flower pollen, pollution and smoke.
• Viral or bacterial infection in the airways.

Several substances present in the environment are allergenic, but the main and predominant ones are dust, pollen and some foods.

House dust is the main cause of Allergic Rhinitis . This dust has several components, such as remains of animal hair, human and animal skin flakes  and remains of insects, bacteria, fungi and mites. Mites are microorganisms that adapt very well to the home environment and proliferate easily at room temperature and humid places. The proteins in the body and in the mites’ feces are extremely allergenic in people with a predisposition to Allergic Rhinitis .

Contact with pollen is another very common cause of allergic rhinitis , which usually occurs in spring and early autumn, when airborne pollen is at its highest levels. Food allergy is less frequent and usually causes symptoms other than allergic rhinitis , which also affect the skin and gastrointestinal system. While any food can cause an allergic reaction, the most common are dairy, egg , gluten, and seafood.

Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis:  Symptoms of  Allergic Rhinitis include sneezing, runny nose , stuffy nose , watery eyes, and itchy eyes, nose, and palate (roof of mouth). The occurrence of sinusitis is also frequent, characterizing a condition of rhinosinusitis (rhinitis + sinusitis). symptoms and treatment). Other common symptoms are sore throat , hoarseness, cough , and decreased taste and smell.

Two typical signs of allergic rhinitis are the accentuation of the lines of the lower eyelids (sign called Dennis-Morgan lines) and the darkening of the skin below the eyes, like a dark circle . The photo above illustrates these two signs well. Allergic Rhinitis in some people can be seasonal, occurring only at certain times of the year. However, many patients present an almost constant picture of Allergic Rhinitis , with numerous episodes throughout the year. These are usually those who are constantly exposed to allergens, whether at home or at work.

If the patient lives in an environment where he is frequently exposed to the allergen, the tendency is for the symptoms to get worse and a smaller amount of allergen is able to trigger the attacks. Some people become so sensitive that other factors can trigger rhinitis , such as exposure to cold, smoke, or a strong smell.

Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis:  The treatment of patients with Allergic Rhinitis is composed of three main pillars: environmental hygiene, medication and immunotherapy.

Environmental Hygiene:  The simplest way to prevent allergic rhinitis attacks is to avoid contact with the substance that triggers the symptoms. This is not always so easy. Carpets, curtains, rugs and stuffed animals can store dust and mites and should not be part of the bedroom. The environments of the house must always be well ventilated and sunny. Preferably, cleaning should be done with a damp cloth. Cleaning products, paints, perfumes, cigarette smoke and insecticides should also be avoided.

Prevention:  Symptoms can often be prevented by avoiding contact with known allergens. This is, in fact, the only effectively proven way against Allergic Rhinitis attacks .

Medications:  Antihistamines (antiallergics), nasal decongestants, and corticosteroids are medications used to treat an Allergic Rhinitis attack . Corticosteroid-based medications applied to the nose are prescribed for long-term treatment, and are intended to improve nasal breathing and prevent or alleviate attacks. As every drug can have side effects and the dose varies individually, look for the doctor to indicate the correct treatment.

Immunotherapy:  Allergy vaccines are also an option for cases in which there has been no improvement with medications and an alternative for cases in which contact with the allergen cannot be avoided. It is indicated if the skin or blood test proves the allergen. In this treatment, they are applied in injections or sublingual drops with controlled amounts of the substance so that the body is no longer hyper-reactive to it. The goal is that, over time, the crises are reduced and the person can even stop the medications.