Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages, usually associated with water nasal discharge and itching of the nose and eyes. Allergic rhinitis affects over 20 percent of the American population and ranks as one of the most common illness in the United States.

The symptoms occur in the nose and eyes, and usually occur after exposure to dust, dander, or certain seasonal pollens in people that are allergic to these substances. Most people have symptoms of allergic rhinitis before the age of 30, but may occur at any age.

Patients can be severely restricted in their daily activities, resulting in excessive time away from school or work. Millions of dollars are spent each year on physician services and medication for treatment of this chronic illness.

Many perennial and seasonal allergens cause allergic rhinitis. Dust mites, molds, and animal dander are examples of year round allergens. Tree, grass, and ragweed pollens are primarily seasonal outdoor allergens. Seasonal pollens depend on wind for cross-pollination.

Plants that depend on insect pollination, such as goldenrod and dandelions, do not usually cause allergic rhinitis. Mold spores grow in warm, damp environments and the highest spore counts occur in early spring, late summer, and early fall. However, mold spores can be measured indoors all year round. Animal allergens are also important indoor allergens. Most animal allergens are secreted through the sebaceous glands of the animal's skin.

Characteristic symptoms include repetitive sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, ears, nose or throat, and generalized fatigue. Symptoms may also include wheezing, tearing of eyes, sore throat, and an impaired sense of smell. A chronic cough may also be secondary to postnasal drip, but should not be mistaken for asthma. Sinus headaches and plugging of the ears are also common.

To be diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, the physician will perform a physical exam. Classic signs of allergic rhinitis include swelling of the eyelids, dark circles around the eyes, and extra skin folds in the lower eyelids. Skin testing may confirm the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and intra-dermal testing is performed, if results of prick method testing come back negative.

The goal of treating allergic rhinitis is to reduce the allergy symptoms. Avoidance of the allergen or minimization of contact with it, is the best treatment, but some relief may be found with medications, including antihistamines and decongestants.

Oral decongestants alone may be helpful, and may or may not be combined with decongestants. There are no controllable risk factors for adults who wish to decrease their risk of developing allergies. This is due to the fact that allergy development is not related to lifestyle habits.

Early childhood exposure to common household microbes, environmental bacteria, and fermented foods may help to reduce a child's risk of developing allergies as they get older. Childhood exposure to pets, especially during the first year of life when the immune system is still developing, has been associated with a decreased risk of allergies to pet dander.

Most risk factors for allergies are out of the control of anyone, it is possible to reduce allergy symptoms by limiting exposure to known allergies. Healthy eating habits and exercise can further strengthen the immune system and help avoid unwanted allergic reactions.

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Allergic Rhinitis related articles from the blogosphere…

Seasonal Allergy Cure | Grass Allergies Resources

Seasonal allergies affect people during a few months, mainly due to exposure to certain allergens such as pollen. An allergic reaction to pollen, often diagnosed hay fever or allergic rhinitis can irritate the membranes around the nose …

Publish Date: 05/19/2011 12:49

http://grassallergies.co.cc/grass-allergies/seasonal-allergy-cure-2/

Sneezing? Runny nose? Itchy eyes? | Natural Wellbeing

Allergic rhinitis is an umbrella term for allergic reactions to irritants such as pollution, dust, or pollen. It may occur throughout the year, while ‘hay fever’ is usually caused by seasonal grass or pollens (so named because it was …

Publish Date: 05/19/2011 16:25

http://www.naturalwellbeing.com/blog/sneezing-runny-nose-itchy-eyes

National Asthma Patient Alliance (NAPA) Blog: Allergic rhinitis …

“The negative impact that allergic rhinitis symptoms can have on a patient’s quality of sleep is considerable, as it not only affects them physically but also emotionally,” Gary Gross of the Dallas Allergy & Asthma Center said on behalf …

Publish Date: 05/13/2011 12:21

http://napa-blog.blogspot.com/2011/05/allergic-rhinitis-linked-to-sleep.html

Causes and Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

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