This is especially welcome news for asthma sufferers, because hay fever is very common among asthmatics, and hay fever can worsen asthma symptoms. Hay fever is caused triggered by an allergic reaction to common environmental substances triggers such as mold, dust mites, pet dander, and the pollens from trees, grass, and weeds. Your allergist may employ skin tests or blood tests to determine what you are allergic to, and once your allergy triggers have been identified, we will outline a personalized treatment plan to reduce or eliminate symptoms, ideally by preventing the symptoms from starting in the first place.
What about allergy shots? In many cases, when patients implement their treatment plan, including lifestyle changes and any medications, they experience significant improvements in allergy symptoms. Your physician will be happy to answer any questions you may have about allergen immunotherapy allergy shots if they may benefit you. Patients generally receive injections once or twice a week at first, and gradually reduce frequency to once a month, for several years. We treat patients of all ages, from children to adults, for allergies, asthma and immune system disorders.
Astepro azelastine hydrochloride is a nasal spray that has also been approved for nonprescription use. Second-generation antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine tend to be less sedating than first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine.
It's a good idea to consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking an antihistamine. Make sure you inform them of any allergies you have as well as other medications you might be taking. Nasal decongestants can be used in addition to antihistamines to help control your symptoms.
While Afrin oxymetazoline , a nasal vasoconstrictor, is available over-the-counter, it is more likely to cause rebound congestion than prescription nasal decongestants if used for more than three days.
You may also wish to try a neti pot or a cool-mist humidifier to help you to control symptoms. These are available at most drug stores and can help to thin your secretions, relieving symptoms such as congestion and postnasal drip. You should also be aware that symptoms such as a fever, extreme fatigue, foul-smelling nasal discharge, facial pain, or toothaches can be symptoms of a sinus infection—a common complication of allergic rhinitis.
If you have these symptoms you should see a healthcare provider since additional treatment may be needed such as antibiotics. You've probably guessed, but non-allergic rhinitis is rhinitis that is not caused by an allergy or an infection.
This condition may also be called non-infectious rhinitis, idiopathic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinities, or intrinsic rhinitis. Symptoms must persist for no less than a year to be considered chronic. Chronic non-allergic rhinitis is characterized by the same symptoms as allergic rhinitis, specifically nasal symptoms such as congestion and runny nose.
However, people with non-allergic rhinitis rarely experience eye symptoms. People with this condition may also be extremely sensitive to strong odors. Coping with non-allergic rhinitis can be tricky since pinning down a cause for your symptoms can be difficult. Depending on the root cause of your non-allergic rhinitis you may be at risk for developing complications such as sinus infections or nasal polyps.
If symptoms of rhinitis are accompanied by fever, facial pain, headaches, toothache, extreme fatigue, or foul-smelling nasal discharge, see your healthcare provider immediately. This may be a sign of a sinus infection in need of antibiotic treatment. Conditions that mimic chronic non-allergic rhinitis include rebound congestion, medication side effects, and laryngopharyngeal reflux.
It's worth noting that even though people with non-allergic rhinitis have negative skin testing for allergies some studies show that up to half of people with the condition have localized allergic reactions mainly in the nasal passageways. There are many other theories as to what causes this condition, many including abnormalities in the nervous system.
Even though it can be hard to pin down the exact cause of your symptoms some triggers have been identified. These include cold weather or extreme temperature changes, eating spicy foods, and exposure to chemicals or other substances that may be irritating for example air pollution. You may need to keep a journal to help to identify things that trigger your symptoms so that you can do your best to avoid these triggers.
Medications can be used to cope with the symptoms of chronic non-allergic rhinitis but most people with this condition find oral antihistamines unhelpful. Over-the-counter oral decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine may or may not be helpful in controlling your symptoms. Just make sure you consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before trying these and be aware of decongestants that can cause rebound congestion when used longer than three days at a time.
Medications that aid in the treatment of chronic non-allergic rhinitis include intranasal steroids like fluticasone, an intranasal antihistamine called azelastine, and an intranasal bronchodilator called Atrovent ipratropium.
There is also a newer nasal spray called Dymista that contains both fluticasone and azelastine. All of these medications are available in the United States and some require a prescription. Your healthcare provider can help you to decide if one or a combination of these is right for you. Other things that may help you to cope with chronic non-allergic rhinitis may include using a cool-mist humidifier and drinking plenty of water to help thin your secretions.
You can also try using an over-the-counter saline nasal spray, or try nasal irrigation using a neti pot, bulb syringe, or other devices. These are sold at most pharmacies.
Natural remedies have been helpful for some people in controlling symptoms but the evidence of their effectiveness if very limited.
These may include remedies such as capsaicin nasal spray with eucalyptol or acupuncture. These problems can often be treated with medication, although surgery is sometimes needed in severe or long-term cases. Find out more about the complications of allergic rhinitis. This type of rhinitis is known as non-allergic rhinitis.
Page last reviewed: 29 April Next review due: 29 April Symptoms of allergic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis typically causes cold-like symptoms , such as sneezing, itchiness and a blocked or runny nose. These symptoms usually start soon after being exposed to an allergen. When to see a GP Visit a GP if the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are disrupting your sleep, preventing you carrying out everyday activities, or adversely affecting your performance at work or school.
Find out more about diagnosing allergic rhinitis What causes allergic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis is caused by the immune system reacting to an allergen as if it were harmful. Find out more about the causes of allergic rhinitis Treating and preventing allergic rhinitis It's difficult to completely avoid potential allergens, but you can take steps to reduce exposure to a particular allergen you know or suspect is triggering your allergic rhinitis.
Further problems Allergic rhinitis can lead to complications in some cases. These include: nasal polyps — abnormal but non-cancerous benign sacs of fluid that grow inside the nasal passages and sinuses sinusitis — an infection caused by nasal inflammation and swelling that prevents mucus draining from the sinuses middle ear infections — infection of part of the ear located directly behind the eardrum These problems can often be treated with medication, although surgery is sometimes needed in severe or long-term cases.
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