Allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever or pollinosis, literally means "allergic nose inflammation," where rhino means "to do with the nose" and the ending -itis simply refers to inflammation.
Allergic rhinitis can either be intermittent or persistent. In many people with intermittent allergic rhinitis, an allergen – something that triggers an allergy – sets their symptoms off at about the same time each year. Spring attacks are usually due to tree pollen, while grass pollens dominate in the summer and weed pollens in the autumn. Most people with allergic rhinitis are sensitive to more than one allergen.
Persistent allergic rhinitis is defined as having symptoms more than 4 days a week or for more than 4 weeks a year. This condition is most common in people with allergies to allergens that are present all year. Naturally, people who are allergic to house dust mites or to their own pets tend to suffer year-round. Allergic rhinitis affects about 20% of Canadians.
Allergic rhinitis is an allergic condition like asthma, meaning that the body tends to overreact to certain types of outside substances. One way it overreacts is by producing antibodies that signal your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals. These chemicals cause the symptoms of allergic rhinitis including sneezing, itchy or runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and even coughing.
Allergic rhinitis can be inherited, but you probably don’t inherit particular allergies, such as to cat dander or ragweed. Instead, you just inherit the tendency to be allergic. Children are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis if one of their parents is affected, and are even more likely again if both parents have allergic rhinitis.
The best way to prevent allergic rhinitis is to avoid the allergen. This may mean changing your habits, or even giving away a pet or moving to another house if the symptoms are unbearable and don’t respond to medications.
Here are some tips you can try to minimize exposure to allergens:
Pollen:
Indoor molds:
Dust mites:
Keep in mind that it is not always possible to control the environment or to eliminate or avoid allergens, especially those that are airborne. Many people need medication treatment for relief. Fortunately, most people respond well to medications. The therapy of choice will depend on your symptoms, the severity of your symptoms, your past response to medications, and other medical conditions that you have, if any.
Treatment for mild symptoms is usually antihistamines taken either orally (e.g., diphenhydramine*, cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, desloratadine, bilastine, rupatadine), as a nose spray (e.g., azelastine), or as an eye drop (e.g., olopatadine). Your doctor or pharmacist can help you choose the medication best suited to your needs. For example, many oral antihistamines are now "non-drowsy." People with certain medical conditions (e.g., glaucoma, prostate problems) should consult their doctor before using certain antihistamines.
It is important to know that some products contain antihistamines plus decongestants for symptom relief. However, nasal decongestant use should be limited to 3 to 5 days, otherwise it may make the symptoms worse. Seeking advice from a health professional is recommended as those with medical conditions such as high blood pressure must use caution with decongestants.
A corticosteroid nose spray (e.g., budesonide, ciclesonide, fluticasone, mometasone) can be tried if antihistamines aren’t working. Corticosteroid sprays can be used if rhinitis symptoms are chronic and are the preferred treatment for symptoms that are moderate to severe. For seasonal allergies, some people may find that nasal sprays, eye drops, and inhalations containing sodium cromoglycate are effective in preventing allergic rhinitis if treatment is started before allergy season and used on a regular basis.
An anticholinergic nose spray (e.g., ipratropium) may also be used to help reduce runny nose symptoms. Another medication called montelukast may be tried when other medications have not worked, or have not been tolerated. Saline nose sprays and lubricant eye drops may also help with nose and eye symptoms.
Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding and children should consult their doctor or pharmacist before beginning treatment for allergic rhinitis.
If allergen avoidance and medical treatment for allergic rhinitis aren’t effective, allergen immunotherapy may be an option. Allergen immunotherapy can be given as shots or as pills placed under the tongue. With shots, small amounts of the allergen are injected regularly while slowly increasing the dosage. The hope is that the immune reaction becomes weaker and weaker as the body gets used to the presence of the allergen. Rarely, the person may have a system-wide immune reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be fatal.
Immunotherapy pills, called "sublingual allergy tablets" (or SLIT) are placed under the tongue, typically on a daily basis. These pills are less likely to cause anaphylaxis but are only available for certain types of allergies. The first dose is usually taken at the doctor’s office, after which subsequent doses can be taken at home.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Allergic-Rhinitis
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