| Allergic rhinitis | |||||
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- What is allergic rhinitis?
- Symptoms of allergic rhinitis
- Causes of allergic rhinitis
- Treatment of allergic rhinitis
- Important allergic rhinitis facts
Allergic rhinitis is a condition in which there are a group of symptoms that typicall affect the nasal mucous membranes (these become itchy and inflamed) and also the eyes (these also become itchy and inflammed).
Allergic rhinitis is basically another name for hay fever.
Allergic rhinitis causes the body's immune system to over-react and cause an allergic reaction to specific non-infecting particles such as:
- animal fur
- chemicals (any type)
- foods
- dust mites
- insect bites
- medication
- mould
- plant pollens
- tobacco smoke
- Congestion - of the nose and sometimes the lungs, as they become clogged with all the mucous that is being produced
- Inflammation - redness of the nose and eyes especially
- Itching - especially the face, eyes, nose, soft and hard palate in the mouth
- Lethargy - the body becomes quickly exhausted if this condition goes on for a while
- Mucous production - the nasal mucous membranes are stimulated to produce a lot more mucous
- Sneezing - one of the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis
- Swelling - of any part of the body that is affected
- Wheezing - if the lungs become congested with mucous it may be a little hard to breath properly
- Anaphylaxis - this is a serious allergic reaction and should be treated immediately with adrenaline
While not very pleasant, most of these symptoms (except anaphylaxis) are not serious nor life-threatening and will resolve within a relatively short period of time, especially if treatment is given.
Allergic rhinitis is caused by an over-reactive immune system response.
When the susceptible person breathes in the allergen, the immune system mistakenly recognises it as a dangerous substance that needs to be expelled quickly and produces antibodies (IgE) againts the allergen. The antibodies are stimulated to produce histamine which is part of the body's inflammatory response to expel dangerous substances.
The histamine response causes symptoms such as itching, excessive mucous production, swelling and sometimes hives in more sensitive people, although symptoms vary for each person.
This is the reason that anti-histamines are sold as remedies for people with allergies - to stop the histamine response and stop the allergic reaction.
Treatment of allergic rhinitis
Diagnosis and testing
Allergic rhinitis is diagnosed by a doctor through the following methods:
- History of symptoms - your doctor will ask a series of questions about the symptoms
- Physical examination - to detect the severity of the condition and symptoms
- CAT scan - the CAT scan test can provide a good view of the sinus and nasal passage which can be diagnosed and allow better treatment of symptoms
Treatment - first steps and in general
- Avoid the allergen(s) - keep your home free from the allergic triggers (dust, animal fur, chemicals)
- If you have pollen/grass allergies and have to go outside, take a shower as soon as you get home to get rid of the allergens from your body
- Wear protective "wrap around" sunglasses, which wrap all the way around the eyes to prevent allergic eyes
- Keep windows closed during the day to keep out pollens, dust and other particles
- Try to stay home on days which are especially windy as this may exacerbate symptoms to a high level
Conventional Treatment
- Antihistamine tablets - non-sedating medication that control itching, sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes
- Medicated eye drops - help to stop the itchiness from the eyes
- Nasal spray - corticosteroid medication that decongests the nasal passages to be able to breath properly through the nose
- Oral decongestants - open up nasal blockages by constricting blood vessels in the nasal membranes
- Oral steroids - useful for more controlling the symptoms of severe allergic rhinitis in case of emergency, but should not be used for long periods
Complementary / Alternative Treatment
- Dietary changes - foods that trigger allergies should be avoided
to reduce symptoms
- Avoid foods causing mucous - certain foods such as dairy, processed foods (high sugar and high fat foods) tend to cause more mucous to form which can make symptoms worse
- Drink more fluids - water helps to hydrate the body and moisten the mucous membranes to keep the allergens out and prevent them from causing symptoms
- Eat more garlic and onions - as much as can be tolerated either fresh, cooked or as garlic supplements; both have anti-inflammatrory properties which help reduce symptoms
- Eat more salmon - this contains omega 3 fatty acids which may reduce inflammation and severity of symptoms
- Eat more fruit and vegetables - these natural foods have a high content of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients such as antioxidants which may reduce severity and length of symptoms
- Eat more nuts - these foods contains essential fatty acids which may reduce inflammation and severity of symptoms
- Eliminate food allergens - such as cow's milk products, food additive, colours and preservatives and any others
- Garlic and onions - these are two powerfoods that should be eaten on a daily basis to assist with preventing symptoms (if able to be tolerated, as some people's digestive system may not be able to handle them)
- Herbs - a few herbs have been used to alleviate the symptoms and are commonly found in many supplements in health fod stores
- Echinacea - studies show this potent herb is an excellent anti-viral which has a positive effect on stimulating the immune system to work properly
- Fenugreek - traditionally used to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection
- Garlic - studies show this potent herb / food which clears nasal congestion and prevents infection
- Horseradish - traditionally used to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection
- Olive leaf - studies show this herb reduces inflammation and clears up congestion
- Immunotherapy - gradually increasing doses of the substance (or allergen) to which the person is allergic over time, this has the effect of making the immune system less sensitive to that allergen and reducing symptoms
- Lifestyle - various strategies can be used to limit and reduce exposure to allergens that cause this condition
- Avoid allergens - if allergic to dust mites, use a vacuum cleaner with an air filter, if allergic to certain foods, avoid them, if allergic to other substances, avoid them as much as possible
- Remove carpeting - having hardwood (or tiled floors) assists people with a great reduction in symptoms and prevent build-up of inflammation in sinuses
- Rest - sleep and rest gives the body the best chance of quicker recovery
- Shower after being outside - especially if it has been a windy day, this will remove any dust, pollens and other substances from your skin which could continue to cause allergies
- Minerals - studies show several minerals could be beneficial for treating this condition
- Magnesium - this mineral relaxes body tissues and may help with inflammation and anxiety associated with the condition
- Selenium - studies show this powerful antioxidant may reduce length and severity of symptoms
- Zinc - studies show zinc can reduce length and severity of symptoms
- Nasal douching - salt added to lukewarm water is added to a "netti pot" and used to wash over the eyes and into the nasal passages to help clear them and decongest them (this can also be done with a bowl of lukewarm water and salt)
- Nasal spray - either one with just saline (salt and water) or with other nutrients such as zinc and eucalyptus, natural nasal sprays provide relief of symptoms of inflammation
- Nutrients - studies show certain nutrients have a beneifical effect on reducing length and severity of symptoms
- Alpha-lipoic acid - is a potent antioxidant which can boost the immune system to help reduce sympoms
- Essential fatty acids - studies show they reduce inflammation and severity of symptoms
- Quercetin - studies this nutrient assists in reducing infammation and also reducing severity of symptoms
- Steam inhalation - the steam breaks up the mucous in the nasal passages and lungs, so lessens nasal congestion and wheezing and also assists with better sleep
- Vaseline - application of a little vaseline to the outside of the nostrils protects them by traping pollen grains from entering the inner nose
- Vitamins - studies show that certain vitamins, known for their antioxidant properties may assist with reducing severity and length of symptoms
- Betacarotene - this is the precursor to vitamin A, so has the same properties
- Bioflavonoids - together with vitamin C, these nutrients support the immune system to function correctly
- Vitamin A - required to keep the mucous membranes soft, moist and healthy to prevent allergens from entering the body and causing a problem in the first place
- Vitamin B complex - these vitamins support the immune system to function correctly
- Vitamin C - together with bioflavonoids, these nutrients support the immune system to function correctly
- Vitamin E - studies show this antioxidant vitamin helps to reduce symptoms of nasal congestion
Important allergic rhinitis facts
- Try to stay indoors on hot, dry, windy days when there is likely to be more pollen and other allergens in the air
- People with known allergens to certain substances should try to avoid them
- It is better to try to avoid the allergens in order to stop the symptoms from happening in the first place
- Blood levels of the antibody IgE are raised in people with allergic rhinitis
- Allergy testing can be done in a variety of ways but the most effective way is through skin prick testing, where a small amount of the allergen is placed on the skin and these areas are pricked or scratched to allow the allergen to go into the skin. If the skin develops a raised, itchy area (called a wheal) then there is a definite allergy to that substance - this test is normally done by a medical doctor
- Another type of allergy testing is the allergy blood test, which looks for antibodies to certain allergens to test if there is an allergy to them
- Other conditions, such as sinusitis, nasal polyps and asthma commonly occur alongside allergic rhinitis
Last reviewed: 14 January 2007 || Last updated: 21 September 2007
Related Articles
references
- Cordray S, Harjo JB, Miner L. Comparison of intranasal hypertonic dead sea saline spray and intranasal aqueous triamcinolone spray in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Ear Nose Throat J. 2005 Jul;84(7):426-30
- Kompauer I, Heinrich J, Wolfram G, Linseisen J. Association of carotenoids, tocopherols and vitamin C in plasma with allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitisation in adults. Public Health Nutr. 2006 Jun;9(4):472-9
- Nagel G, Nieters A, Becker N, Linseisen J. The influence of the dietary intake of fatty acids and antioxidants on hay fever in adults. Allergy. 2003 Dec;58(12):1277-84
- Osiecki H. The Physicans Handbook of Clininical Nutrition, 6th Edition. Bioconcepts Publishing QLD, 2001
- Plaut M, Valentine MD. Allergic Rhinitis. NEJM. 2005 Nov; 353(18):1934-1944
- Marshall Plaut, M.D., and Martin D. Valentine, M.D.
- Shahar E, Hassoun G, Pollack S. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on the regular treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2004 Jun;92(6):654-8
- Thornhill SM, Kelly AM. Natural treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Oct;5(5):448-54
- Walls RS, Heddle RJ, Tang MLK, Basger BJ, Solley GO, Yeo GT. Optimising the Mmanagement of Allergic Rhinitis: an Australian Perspective. MJA 2005; 182 (1): 28-33
To learn more, go to the the following sites:
- Australasian Socety of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
- National Asthma Council Australia
- Asthma QLD (Australia)
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
