Understanding Allergic Rhinitis

You've probably heard the term "Allergic Rhinitis" bantered about lately.  Here is a little background as to allergic triggers, testing and treatment.  This information is just that... informational... it should not be considered medical advice.  As always - see your healthcare provider.  If you live in the NYC area, I invite you to contact me for a consultation - and we'll get you back outside to enjoy the beautiful autumn weather.Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms, mostly in the nose and eyes, which occur when you breathe in something you are allergic to such as dust, dander, or pollen. The World Health Organization estimates 400 million people worldwide suffer with allergic rhinitis. Allergic Rhinitis puts the patient at risk for asthma and other allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, and nasal polyps.Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis manifest shortly after contact and include:

• Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
• Problems with smell
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Tearing eyes
• 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
• Memory problems and slowed thinking

To properly treat Allergic Rhinitis your health care provider will question you about the history of your symptoms and perform an exam. The history of your symptoms is important, share with your doctor whether the symptoms vary according to time of day or the season, and if you are exposed to pets or other allergens.Your doctor will probably order a Skin Test, the most common method of allergy testing. See this post on skin testing for more information.In some cases, avoidance is a viable strategy to avoid your allergy triggers. If in the event medication is required, there are many different medications and strategies to treat allergic rhinitis.  Only an allergist can determine which treatment plain is appropriate for your individual condition.A nasal wash can be helpful for removing mucus from the nose in mild allergic rhinitis conditions.Treatments for allergic rhinitis include:Antihistamines may work well for treating symptoms, especially when symptoms do not happen very often or do not last very long.

• Some antihistamines may be bought over the counter. It is important however to talk to your doctor before giving these medicines to a child, this form of medication may affect learning. These medications include loratidine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec). Other antihistamines are available by prescription.
• The nasal spray Azelastine (Astelin) is an antihistamine that is used to treat allergic rhinitis.

Nasal corticosteroid sprays are the most effective treatment for allergic rhinitis.

• They work best when used nonstop, but they can also be helpful when used for shorter periods of time.
• Many brands are available. You will need a prescription from your doctor. They are safe for children and adults.

Use extreme caution when using decongestants.

• Decongestants may be helpful in reducing nasal congestion.
• Nasal spray decongestants should not be used for more than 3 days.
• Be careful when using over-the-counter saline nasal sprays that contain benzalkonium chloride. These may actually worsen symptoms and cause infection.

Singulair, a leukotriene inhibitor,  is a prescription medicine approved to help control asthma and to help relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies.Your allergist can determine if you are a candidate for immunotherapy treatments.

• Allergy Shots are vaccines that work to “turn off” your body’s overreaction to your allergy triggers.

I invite you to peruse nycallergydoctor.com for more information.  For individual attention it is important to contact your healthcare provider. Feel free to contact my office at 866-632-5537 for a consultation in the NYC area.