Rhinitis/Nasal Allergies Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Rhinitis/Nasal Allergies
Allergic rhinitis is a diagnosis associated with a group of symptoms affecting the nose. These symptoms occur when you breathe in something you are allergic to, such as dust, animal dander, or pollen. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Rhinitis/Nasal Allergies
Causes of Rhinitis/Nasal Allergies
Allergic rhinitis occurs when your body’s immune system reacts to an irritant in the air. The irritants (allergens) are so tiny that you can easily inhale them through your nose or mouth.
Allergens are harmless to most people. But if you have hay fever, your immune system thinks the allergen is intruding. Your immune system tries to protect your body by releasing natural chemicals into your bloodstream. The main chemical is called histamine. It causes mucous membranes in your nose, eyes and throat to become inflamed and itchy as they work to eject the allergen from your body.
Allergic rhinitis comes from many allergens, including:
- Dust mites that live in carpets, drapes, bedding and furniture.
- Pollen from trees, grass and weeds.
- Pet dander (tiny flakes of dead skin cells).
- Mold spores.
- Cockroaches (their saliva and waste).
Symptoms of Rhinitis/Nasal Allergies:
- Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
- Problems with smell
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Stuffy nose
- Coughing
- Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell
Can I prevent hay fever?
There’s no way to prevent hay fever, but lifestyle changes can help you live with allergies. You can relieve hay fever symptoms by avoiding irritants as much as possible. To reduce symptoms, you should:
- Avoid touching your face and rubbing your eyes or nose.
- Close windows in your home and car during the spring, summer and early fall when pollen counts are higher.
- Put covers on pillows, mattresses and box springs to protect against dust mites.
- Keep pets off couches and beds, and close doors to bedrooms you don’t want them to enter.
- Use filters in your vacuum cleaner and air conditioner to reduce the amount of allergens in the air.
- Wash your hands often, especially after playing with pets.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen when you’re outside. Change your clothes as soon as you come indoors.
Treatments
Antihistamines
Anthi medications are available with a prescription or over the counter (OTC). They work by blocking the histamine that your body releases during an allergic response. Antihistamines come as pills, liquids, eye drops, nasal sprays and inhalers. They include:
- Loratadine (Claritin).
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec).
- Fexofenadine (Allegra).
- Levocetirizine (Xyzal).
Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol when taking antihistamines, especially if you’re going to drive.
Decongestants
These medications relieve congestion in your nose and sinuses. You can take decongestants by mouth (in pill or liquid form) or use a nasal spray. They include:
- Afrin nasal spray.
- Phenylephrine nasal spray (Neo-Synephrine).
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).
Decongestants can increase blood pressure and cause headaches, trouble sleeping and irritability. Nasal decongestants can be addictive when you use them for longer than five days.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays
These sprays and inhalers reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of hay fever. The most common nasal sprays are Flonase, Nasacort and Rhinocort. Side effects include headaches, nasal irritation, nosebleeds and cough.
Leukotriene inhibitors
During an allergic reaction, your body releases leukotrienes, histamine and other chemicals that cause inflammation and hay fever symptoms. Available only with a prescription, these pills block leukotriene. The most common leukotriene inhibitor is montelukast (Singulair®). Some people experience changes in mood, vivid dreams, involuntary muscle movements and skin rash when taking this medication.
Immunotherapy
This treatment works by helping your body learn to tolerate allergens. Your provider gives you a series of injections (allergy shots or subcutaneous immunotherapy) with a small amount of the allergen. Every time you get a shot, your provider increases the amount of the allergen. Over time, your immune system develops immunity to the allergen and stops launching a reaction to it.
In certain circumstances, your provider might recommend immunotherapy in the form of a pill that you place under your tongue called oral immunotherapy. Currently, oral immunotherapy is only available for allergies to trees, grass and dust mites (in the U.S.).
When should I see my healthcare provider about hay fever?
Although hay fever usually doesn’t cause any serious health problems, you should see your provider to rule out other conditions, such as asthma or a sinus infection. Seek care if hay fever symptoms are:
- Getting in the way of your daily life.
- Making it hard for you to sleep.
- Not improving with allergy medication.
Your provider can help you identify the allergens that are causing a reaction and recommend treatments to help you feel better.
Frequently Asked Question on Rhinitis/Nasal Allergies:
Allergic rhinitis is typically triggered by exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and certain foods.
Symptoms include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itching in the nose, eyes, or throat, and watery eyes.
While the symptoms may be similar, rhinitis is not caused by a viral infection like the common cold. It is an allergic reaction to specific triggers.
Chronic rhinitis, especially if left untreated, can contribute to sinusitis, inflammation of the sinuses.
Yes, rhinitis can cause allergic conjunctivitis, leading to symptoms such as red, itchy, and watery eyes.
Allergic rhinitis and asthma are closely linked. Individuals with allergic rhinitis are at an increased risk of developing asthma.