By Maria Lania-Howarth, MD
Head, Division of Allergy/Immunology, Cooper University Hospital
Does your nose start to tickle and run and your eyes begin to itch as soon as the weather gets warm? Does springtime make you feel lethargic and a little heavy-headed?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you probably suffer from allergic rhinitis, or nasal allergies.
Allergic rhinitis, or nasal allergies, affects 40 to 100 million people in the United States. While the condition is very common, it is not trivial. For many, allergic rhinitis can cause the constant discomfort of nasal congestion, sneezing, sniffling, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat, and headache. For others, symptoms occur seasonally as a result of certain allergenic substances in the air, like pollens and molds.
What causes all of these symptoms?
The nasal lining of a person suffering from allergies becomes inflamed after exposure to specific allergens, e.g., tree pollen. The inflammation produces swelling or congestion, sneezing, sniffling and at times mucus production. Once this occurs, irritating substances in the air, such as perfumes, smoke or fumes, can often irritate the already inflamed nasal passages and worsen the condition.
Allergies can also hinder a person’s performance in school or on the job. People with allergic rhinitis may be kept awake at night from symptoms or from the effects of medications, resulting in lethargy and difficulty concentrating, sleeping, or exercising.
The effects on a person’s quality of life will often lead one to seek treatment. Use of over-the-counter allergy medications will often prove helpful for the control of symptoms from allergic rhinitis. However, these non-prescription antihistamine preparations may not always be enough and at times produce unwanted side effects.
Evaluation by your primary care physician or by an allergist can prove more helpful in providing the proper care and management of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. An allergist may suggest performing allergy testing. Education about avoidance and environmental control measures is of vital importance. Treatment with allergy medications is usually prescribed. These prescription medications are very effective and produce fewer side effects than the over-the-counter allergy relief. Those who do not get acceptable relief from medication alone, or feel that they do not want to rely on medications, may be candidates for allergy shots or immunotherapy – vaccination to induce tolerance to the specific allergen. There are risks, however, so patients need to discuss this with the doctor.
Relief of allergic rhinitis not only improves quality of life but also prevents unwanted complications, such as recurrent sinusitis and ear infections. In addition, there is a strong association between allergic rhinitis and asthma. Appropriate medical therapy of allergic rhinitis can sometimes improve asthma symptoms.
Remember: Don’t suffer needlessly; consult with an allergist and get control of your symptoms.
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