What is allergic rhinitis?
• Allergic rhinitis also known as hay fever is an allergic reaction and inflammation of the nose which occurs when the immune system overreacts to inhaled substances, such as pollen and is characterized by symptoms of nasal congestion, clear rhinorrhea, sneezing, postnasal drip, and nasal pruritus .
Which age group is more affected due to allergic rhinitis?
- Allergic rhinitis is more common in males than females. Symptoms are often most severe in children and in people in their 30s and 40s.
- Adolescents aged 13–14 have a higher prevalence of rhinitis symptoms than children aged 6–7.
What causes allergic rhinitis?
The following factors have been found to cause it-
- Oversensitive immune system.
- Exposure to allergens like-
- Tree pollen especially in spring.
- Mould growing on dead leaves.
- Grass pollen, in late spring and summer.
- House mites.
- Animal dander.
- Mold Spores.
Other causes of perennial allergic rhinitis are:
- Overuse of cleansers
- Chemical exposure
- Construction material gases.
- Strong smelling perfumes
- Cosmetics
- Industrial chemicals
- Cigarette smoke
What are the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
The signs and symptoms vary in different patients, some may develop symptoms in a short period whereas certain patients may take a long time to manifest signs and symptoms like-
- Excessive nasal secretion also known as rhinorrhea.
- A sore throat.
- Nasal congestion with sneezing.
- Post-nasal drip.
- Swollen nasal turbinates.
- Itchy mouth, throat, ears, and face.
- A dry cough.
- Red, itchy, and watery eyes.
- Swollen eyelids with a headache, facial pain or pressure.
- Partial loss of hearing, smell, and taste.
- Poor concentration.
What is the differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis?
Following diseases can mimic the symptoms of allergic rhinitis –
- Sinusitis (acute and chronic).
- Vasomotor rhinitis
- Non-allergic rhinitis with eosinophilia syndrome (NARES)
- Autoimmune, granulomatous, and vasculitic rhinitis
- Nasal polyposis.
- Nasopharyngeal neoplasm
What investigations can be done to diagnose allergic rhinitis?
Some of the diagnostic tests that can be performed are-
- based on the physical symptoms of a patient.
- Skin tests.
- Blood tests for the allergen.
- nasal endoscopy
- nasal inspiratory flow test.
How can we differentiate between allergic rhinitis and the common cold?
The differences between allergic rhinitis and the common cold are:
In case of allergic rhinitis:
- Allergens cause it.
- Generally, the patient does not develop a fever or body ache.
- Nasal discharge is usually watery with sneezing.
- Watery and itchy eyes are a common symptom.
In the case of the common cold:
- Germs cause it.
- In this case, the patient generally develops fever and body aches.
- Nasal discharge is yellowish-greenish and thick.
- Sneezing and watery eyes are relatively infrequent.
How can you prevent the recurrence of allergic rhinitis?
To prevent the recurrence of this condition following measures can be taken-
- Avoid areas with dust, mites, or mould, and avoid allergens.
- Keep your home dry and well-ventilated.
- Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
- Sleep with the windows closed during pollen season.
- Use air conditioning during pollen season
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom.
What is the dietary management for allergic rhinitis?
Diet can help manage allergic rhinitis symptoms. Some foods that may help include:
- Avoid consumption of cold food.
- Packaged food should be avoided.
- Cooked the food properly because it kills the allergens.
- Intake of Vitamin C helps to raise immunity.
How can allergic rhinitis be treated with homoeopathic medicines?
Homeopathic medicines help symptomatically in this case. Some of the homoeopathic medicines which can help are:
- Arsenicum album– Best-suited medicine for allergic rhinitis, especially if presented with intense thirst. Other symptoms include thin acrid nasal discharge, nose and throat burning, and a cold that worsens at midnight.
- Arum triphyllum– Soreness of nostrils with acrid excoriating discharge is an indication for this remedy. The patient usually displays a habit of constantly picking up the nose until it bleeds.
- Sanguinaria canadensis- A remedy for chronic rhinitis with congested and dry nasal membrane. Throat feels dry,constricted and swollen specially at right side.
- Allium Cepa– Acrid discharge from the nose but plain discharge from the eyes is a common indication. Burning and itching of the nose/eyes improve when in the open air.
- Sabadilla– Most commonly used in cases with frequent sneezing but scanty nasal discharge. Some other indications are hay fever-like symptoms, frontal pain, and watery discharge from the eyes.
