What
is allergic rhinitis?
Do
you get nasal allergy when you breathe pollen or dust? If that so,
you are one of the people who are suffering allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis (a.k.a hay fever) is an allergy caused by
allergens. Allergens can be in the form of pollen, animal dander or
dust. In some people changes in weather, climate, seasons or
environmental temperatures can also cause their allergic rhinitis.
How
does allergen affect the nasal cavity?
Allergens
as we know are foreign bodies that go inside our respiratory system
when we breathe. Foreign bodies are not accepted in our body, so that
the antibodies of our immune system fight them. When an allergen
stimulates the immune system, our body will defend to stop it to
entering our system and finally to remove it. Thus, production of
mucus and inflammation of the mucus membrane in the nasal cavity
occur. Mucus and cilia trap allergens. When mucus production produces
excessively, the excess will be accommodated in the sinuses of the
nasal cavity. Usually the mucus must drain from sinus and must stay
there for a short time only, but when draining is prevented pressure
in sinuses will occur, which makes the person to feel discomfort,
irritable and hardly to breathe in the nose. The aperture of the
sinuses are blocked by inflamed mucus membrane, which restricts the
flow of the mucus to the nose or mouth.
What
are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
Symptoms
of allergic rhinitis are the following:
- Unstoppable sneezing
- Itchy nose, mouth, throat and eyes
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Difficulty in breathing in nose
- Sore throat
- Headache and/or migraine
- Nasal congestion
- Fatigue and irritability
- Unable to smell and ear pressure
- Coughing
- Allergy attacks on the same time always, especially in morning or night.
What
can be the management?
- Take antihistamines, decongestants, corticosteroids or combinations of any of the three drugs. Examples of these drugs would be Loratadine and Cetirizine for antihistamines; Phenylpropanolamine and Phenylephrine for decongestants; and, Dexamethasone for corticosteroid. Also the leukotriene receptor antagonist such as Montelukast can be used to treat allergic rhinitis.
- Nasal spray or drops can be used to cleanse the mucus membrane and the nose. They say if your skin is itchy and irritated you need to wash it to remove the matter that causes it. That is also applicable to the mucus membrane. Washing can remove allergens that adhered to it which cause inflammation. Nasal spray and drops contain saline solution or corticosteroids or combination of the two.
- Try to lie down and lie sideways. Breathe and feel the mucus moving from one side to the other side of your nose. If it does, then do it on the other side again. Continue do this until you feel that you can now breathe freely in your both nostrils.
- In case of watery eyes leave it there it will go away for sometime. For coughing, sore throat or itchy mouth drinking a lot of water, water can take care of them. For headache, pain reliever can be taken.
- Do or think something to revert your thoughts from your allergy. Because most allergic rhinitis attacks on short time only and can disappear quickly.
- If you have enough budget have an allergy shots (immunotherapy). This is done by exposing you to the different allergens by an immunologist. Immunologist will determine what type of allergen causes you to have allergic rhinitis and give you allergy shots per week or depends on her recommendation. Immunotherapy will help your body to recognize allergen easily, memorize it and not to react much when it is inside your body.
Prevention:
Careful
not to breathe allergens to prevent allergic rhinitis to occur. If
your livelihood is exposed to allergens you can wear mask or cover
your nose during work. Or if attacks you always you can transfer to
another work that will not cause you to allergy anymore. Drink a lot
of water always. Eat healthy food. Take vitamins to boost your immune
system.
However,
allergic rhinitis will be there forever. What you can only do is to
prevent yourself from allergens and to manage the symptoms it brings.
(This discussion is based on my true to life experiences)
