Allergic rhinitis is a disease of the upper airway, in which the mucosa of the nose and sometimes also the sinuses are affected. It affects almost 25% of the world’s population.
Causes of allergic rhinitis
It is normal for us to tolerate the air we breathe with pollens, mites, animal scales or fungi. In the case of the allergic person, breathing these substances causes a disease in the nose.
Allergic rhinitis can be caused by allergy to dust mites, fungi in humidity, pets or pollens. In the first cases, symptoms may appear at any time of the year, but in the case of pollens, there are specific months in which pollens are found in the air and they usually coincide with the spring months.
What are the main symptoms?
Allergic rhinitis manifests as sneezing, mucus, itchy nose and nasal congestion. It is frequent that conjunctivitis is associated with itching, tearing and ocular reddening and it can also be associated with bronchial asthma.
It is similar to when we have a nasal cold, but the difference is that it is very prolonged in time or it never goes away.
When should we go to the doctor?
We should always consult a doctor. Depending on the intensity of the symptoms, on how much it alters the quality of life or sleep, the doctor will indicate the necessary treatments and will refer us to the allergist.
Treatment for allergic rhinitis
There are two types of treatment: symptomatic and etiological.
Symptomatic treatment consists of relieving symptoms with drugs such as antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids or anti-leukotrienes. But as soon as the drugs are withdrawn, the symptoms reappear. And there are etiological treatments, which are specific vaccines for each allergy and can cure the problem.
How to prevent it
Its complications can be prevented, such as avoiding the development of bronchial asthma or the development of other types of allergies. Prevention is done with the specific vaccines for each allergy mentioned above.
What are the possible complications?
Allergic rhinitis is the prelude to bronchial asthma. Other complications are otitis and ototubaritis, sinusitis and the development of allergies to other substances in the environment.