Allergic Rhinitis

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What is Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis is also known as hay fever or nasal allergy. Although runny nose is a common symptom, it should not be mistaken for the common cold.

 

What causes it?

Allergic Rhinitis is caused by an over-reactive immune system which responds to substances in the environment like animal fur, dust and pollen. When these substances come into contact with our body, we produce chemicals like histamines which bring about symptoms like runny nose, teary eyes, itching and swelling.

 

Oh hot, dry or windy days, pollen and dust tend to remain in the air, resulting in an increased contact with these allergens. Conversely, on cold, rainy or still days, pollen and dust tend to be washed to the ground. These coincide with the months of winter or monsoon period.

 

People with allergies are pre-disposed to related conditions like asthma and eczema. Once there is an allergic reaction to a substance, the sufferer may be affected by this substance for a long time. The ear, nose and throat are organs that are closely linked, which explains why the patient may experience coughing as well as a blocked nose.

 

Your health professional will look at your medical history or ask questions pertaining to the potential allergies you may have been in contact with. A skin test may be conducted to ascertain the particular substance you have reacted to. This involves putting a small area of your skin in contact with a potential offending allergen to see if it is the cause of your allergic reaction.

 

How can it be cured?

For symptomatic treatment of runny nose and itch, you can buy antihistamines from the pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist for recommendations. These may cause drowsiness which may affect motor activities. Children below the age of two should not self-medicate. For long-term treatment of allergic rhinitis unresponsive to antihistamines, do see your doctor who will prescribe a steroid nasal spray to be used daily. Immunotherapy, or allergy injections, may be used as a last resort if the above treatments are ineffective.

 

Above all, avoid potential allergens which may trigger a flare-up of symptoms. No one wants to attract attention with all that sneezing and tearing!