23/10/2024
Allergic rhinitis
also know as
Hay fever; Nasal allergies; Seasonal allergy; Seasonal allergic rhinitis; Allergies - allergic rhinitis; Allergy - allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a diagnosis associated with a group of symptoms affecting the nose. These symptoms occur when you breathe in something you are allergic to, such as dust, animal dander, or pollen. Symptoms can also occur when you eat a food that you are allergic to.
Causes
An allergen is something that triggers an allergy. When a person with allergic rhinitis breathes in an allergen such as pollen, mold, animal dander, or dust, the body releases chemicals that cause allergy symptoms.
Hay fever involves an allergic reaction to pollen.
Plants that cause hay fever are trees, grasses, and ragweed. Their pollen is carried by the wind. Flower pollen is carried by insects and does not cause hay fever. Types of plants that cause hay fever vary from person to person and from area to area.
The amount of pollen in the air can affect whether hay fever symptoms develop or not.
Hot, dry, windy days are more likely to have a lot of pollen in the air.
On cool, damp, rainy days, most pollen is washed to the ground.
Hay fever and allergies often run in families. If both of your parents have hay fever or other allergies, you are likely to have hay fever and allergies, too. The chance is higher if your mother has allergies.
Symptoms
Symptoms that occur shortly after you come into contact with the substance you are allergic to may include:
Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
Problems with smell
Runny nose
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Symptoms that may develop later include:
Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
Coughing
Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell
Sore throat
Dark circles under the eyes
Puffiness under the eyes
Fatigue and irritability
Headache
Exams and Tests
The skin prick testing, special blood tests may help with the diagnosis such as IgE tests, can measure the levels of allergy-related substances.
A blood test, called the eosinophil count, may also help diagnose allergies.
If you are suffering from these symptoms you can visit to your nearest Allergy Specialist or ENT specialist for the management of Allergic Rhinitis.