Rhinitis, allergic
The best way to prevent allergic rhinitis is to avoid the allergen that causes it.
Butthis isn't always easy. Allergens, such as dust mites, aren't always easy to spot and can breed in even the cleanest house.
It can also be difficult to avoid coming into contact with pets, particularly if they belong to friends and family.
Below is some advice to help youavoid the most common allergens.
Dust mites are one of the biggest causes of allergies. They're microscopic insects that breed in household dust.
To help limit the numberof mites in your house, you should:
Concentrate your efforts on controlling dust mites in the areas of your home where you spend most time, such as the bedroom and living room.
It isn't pet fur that causes an allergic reaction, but exposure to flakes of their dead skin, saliva and dried urine.
If you can't permanently remove a pet from the house, you may find the following tips useful:
If you're visiting a friend or relative with a pet, ask them not to dust or vacuum on the day you're visiting because it will disturb allergens into the air.
Taking an Antihistamines one hour before you enter a house with a pet can help reduce your symptoms.
Different plants and trees pollinate at different times of the year, so when you get allergic rhinitis will depend on what sort of pollen(s) you're allergic to.
Mostpeople are affected during the spring and summer months because this is when most trees and plants pollinate.
To avoid exposure to pollen, you may find the following tips useful:
Moulds can grow on any decaying matter, both in and outside the house. The moulds themselves aren't allergens, but the spores they release are.
Spores are released when there's a sudden rise in temperature in a moist environment, such as when central heating is turned on in a damp house or wet clothes are dried next to a fireplace.
To helpprevent mould spores, you should:
and how to get rid of damp and mould .
<p><strong>Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the inner nose which is caused by allergens, such as flower pollen, dust or animal hairs. </strong></p><p><strong>Many individuals suffer from this condition, hence it is very common. Allergic rhinitis is associated with similar symptoms to the common cold, such as sneezing, a congested, dry nose, itching etc. In some individuals these symptoms are mild, and in others they are more severe and present at all times. In some patients, symptoms are present all year round, whereas for others, they only appear seasonally. </strong></p><p> </p>
<p><strong>Allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction which occurs in the human body when it falls in contact with an allergen, which may be dust, flower pollen, animal hair etc. The allergens trigger the onset of several symptoms. Our natural immune systems interpret the presence of allergens as they would the presence of an infectious agent, and hence the immune response to allergens is the same response that your body would organize against a bacterium or virus. People who are highly sensitive to allergens produce antibodies against them. Several common allergens include:</strong></p><p><strong>1. Common house dust (in linens, carpets and other household items)</strong></p><p><strong>2. Flower pollen (usually in spring and autumn)</strong></p><p><strong>3. Remnants from domestic animals (dogs, cats, horses, rabbits), which include hair, urine, spit etc. </strong></p><p><strong>People with a family history for allergies are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis. </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p>
<p><strong>After inquiring for a thorough family history of the patient, the doctor may order the following tests:</strong></p><p><strong>1. Scratch test (the arm is scratched with a needle containing an allergen, and the skin is observed for any subsequent development of a rash).</strong></p><p><strong>2. A blood test to measure for the levels of IGE immunoglobulins, which are elevated in case of an allergic reaction. Another indicator is the elevated level of eusinophiles. </strong></p><p><strong>3. In cases when the condition concurrs with another condition, (like for example nasal polyps or sinusitis), other examinations are required, such as : nasal endoscopy, or a nose scanner. </strong></p><p> </p>
<p><strong>Treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms of rhinitis. Medication usually involves interfering in order to relieve congestion in the nose. An allergic patient should know that the best means of treatment is avoiding or eliminating exposure to the allergen. Other types of medication used do not cure the allergy, they just treat the symptoms. Types of treatment used include:</strong></p><p><strong>1. Salt solutions used to rinse out the nose, they may be applied up to several times a day.</strong></p><p><strong>2. Taking anti-histamines, which lower the levels of histamines in the bloodstream. Histamines are the compounds which trigger an allergic reaction. </strong></p><p><strong>3. Cortisones are a type of medication which helps in lowering inflammation and secretion. They can be taken in the form of a nasal spray or a tablet. </strong></p><p><strong>4. Leukotriene antagonists: leukotrienes serve as one of the mediators of inflammation, and antagonists of such compounds serve as decongestants. </strong></p><p><strong>If all of the above yields no satisfactory results, then immunotherapy is employed, as well as the usage of vaccines with allergen content, in order to lower the patient's sensitivity to the allergen.</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p>
<p><strong>Continous suffering from the symptoms of allergic rhinitis may be cause for other health complications which include:</strong></p><p><strong>1. The development of nasal polyps (small tissue masses similar to a teardrop, which are caused by constant inflammation).</strong></p><p><strong>2. Large polyps may cause breating difficulties, especially while asleep, a reduced sense of smell, a blockage of the sinuses, and at times resulting in chronic sinusitis. </strong></p><p><strong>3. Middle ear infections, an infection of the eustachian tube may spread to the middle ear. Symptoms associated with this is ear pain, high fever, reduced hearing capability. </strong></p><p><strong>4. A case of allergic rhinitis which has been medicated poorly or has gone unmedicated, may lead to the development of a bronchial asthma or in cases of preexisting asthma, a worsening of the asthma symptoms. </strong></p><p> </p>
<p><strong>Preventing the condition is the best medication available for allergic rhinitis, meaning either avoiding or eliminating exposure to the allergen. This is not an easy feat to perform, and not always possible. </strong></p><p><strong>1. To prevent the formation of house dust the patient is advised to use: antiallergenic mattresses, linens and other types of covers. The house should always be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner.</strong></p><p><strong>2. When the allergy is caused by domestic animals: if you cannot remove the animal from the house, then you must make sure they do not enter your bedroom, and the house must be cleaned often. Do not allow the animals to tread upon carpets. </strong></p><p><strong>3. When the allergy is caused by pollens: avoid pollination season (usually spring/autumn), use sunglasses, and ventilate the house frequently, avoid grassy areas and parks.</strong></p><p><strong>4. When the allergy is caused by spores, maintain a dry and well-ventilated household. </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p>