What is Allergic Rhinitis? How to Treat?

By Editor On Feb 20, 2024

What is Allergic Rhinitis? How to Treat?

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as spring fever, is one of the most common allergic diseases. If you don’t feel well at the same time every year, you may be one of those with spring allergies.

Allergy symptoms begin when the body’s immune system responds to a foreign substance (antigen). It does this by sending antibodies to the entry site of the allergen. The battle between allergen and antibody causes the release of various chemicals into the blood. Chemical substances also cause allergic disease symptoms. Although allergic rhinitis has increased in frequency in Europe in the last 10 years, it is rarely considered a serious problem because it is not a life-threatening disease and temporary benefits can be achieved with medications taken upon recommendation without going to a doctor.

What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis symptoms; These include sneezing, itching in the eyes and nose, nasal congestion, runny nose and sometimes headache. Some patients may experience hearing problems, sore throat, hoarseness and cough. While allergy complaints last all year round in some people, they increase in certain seasons in others. The complaints of people with seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring fever occur in spring and autumn. The most common allergens are; grass, tree and weed pollens. House dust mites, mold fungi and animal dander are the most common allergens in those who suffer from year-round allergic rhinitis. On the other hand, there are also studies showing that air pollution increases allergy complaints. A study conducted in Istanbul on this subject found that allergy complaints are more common in areas with air pollution.

Turkey’s allergen: Grass pollen

Pollens, foods, fungi, dust, animal dander, chemicals, some medications and environmental irritants can cause allergic reactions. Hay fever is caused by pollen. The most common allergen in Turkey is grass pollen. Some allergens are always present; such as house dust mites, pets, foods, some chemicals. The symptoms caused by these allergens often increase during the winter months when homes are closed. Mold fungi, like pollens, cause allergic reactions and are found both at home and outside. Indoor plants, humid areas, places where bathroom fungi are mostly found. Contrary to popular belief, colorful or scented flowers rarely cause allergies.

Can allergy be a serious disease?

Allergic rhinitis is rarely considered a serious problem. Despite this, allergic rhinitis has significant social, clinical and economic harms. Frequently, half of the patients experience allergic rhinitis symptoms for more than 4 months a year, and this affects their quality of life. Rhinitis also creates economic problems due to its effects such as loss of working days in adults and school days in children, as well as diagnosis and treatment costs. Allergic rhinitis can also occur with other diseases. Asthma, sinusitis, developmental disorders in teeth and mouth structure due to nasal congestion in children, middle ear diseases, conjunctivitis, food allergies, and allergic rhinitis are listed as diseases that may occur together.

How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?

Questioning has an important place in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. The patient’s age, the environments in which his complaints increase, which medications he has used before, and especially whether there is anyone else in his family with allergies should be examined. Since allergy is a genetic disease, having allergies in other members of the family is very helpful in diagnosis. In addition, allergic rhinitis is often seen as a disease of children and young adults. Then, a detailed ear, nose and throat examination needs to be performed. If the patient’s questioning and examination findings suggest allergy, allergy tests are performed. Allergy tests can be done by skin tests or by examining allergens in the blood. Especially in people who do not respond to allergy treatment, a detailed nasal examination is performed, and it is investigated whether there are adenoids in children, cartilage curvature, nasal polyps and sinusitis in adult patients. Middle ear inflammation, which may accompany especially in children, is also being investigated. On the other hand, children who have frequent middle ear infections are also questioned about allergies.

Allergic rhinitis may be related to sinusitis

Allergic rhinitis symptoms can often be confused with sinusitis. Some patients with allergic rhinitis may be treated with antibiotics for years due to the diagnosis of sinusitis. On the other hand, it is necessary to investigate whether sinusitis is present in patients with complaints such as headache and facial pain and greenish nasal discharge whose allergic rhinitis complaints do not improve despite intensive treatment. Recent studies have shown that there is a close relationship between rhinitis and sinusitis. Therefore, it is useful to investigate whether allergic rhinitis is present in people with recurrent sinusitis complaints.

Allergic rhinitis treatment and prevention

Control of allergic symptoms is achieved by applying more than one treatment method together. Prevention of allergen exposure, drug therapy and vaccine treatment can be counted among these methods. First of all, what needs to be done is; Avoiding the allergen that causes allergic complaints. Here are some suggestions for removing allergens from your environment:

Change filters in air conditioners every month
Keep windows and doors closed during pollen season
Remove plants from inside your home
Do not keep furry animals in your home
Use synthetic ones instead of feather pillows, wool pillows, duvets and bedding.
Do not smoke or have alcohol around you

Allergic rhinitis drug treatment

Another most common option in the treatment of allergic rhinitis is drug therapy. However, what should not be forgotten is that medications will have an effect on complaints as long as they are used. When drug treatment is stopped, allergy symptoms recur in a short time. Those with allergic rhinitis should start using medication at least 2 weeks before the allergy season begins. Some medications used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis may cause difficulty in use due to their side effects, and a specialist doctor should be consulted in this regard. The most commonly used drugs today are antihistamines and steroid sprays.

Allergic rhinitis vaccine treatment

Vaccine therapy is defined as a cause-oriented treatment method. However, before vaccination treatment, allergy tests must be performed and treatment must be started with the allergen or allergens that cause the person’s complaints. With this treatment method, the aim is to ensure the person’s immunity against the allergen in question by applying increasing doses of substances that cause allergic symptoms. With vaccine treatment, injections are first given once a week, and then once a month after the maintenance dose is reached. Vaccine therapy is a treatment method that is effective on allergy complaints for a long time and continues to be effective even after it is stopped. Studies show that vaccine treatment can prevent the development of new allergies and reduce the risk of developing asthma in children. However, due to the risks of side effects, vaccine treatment must be carried out by experienced people and in well-equipped centres. In recent years, vaccine treatment has also been administered through oral drops. However, the patient and the doctor must decide together which method to use.