Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common illnesses in the world. In the US alone, about 20 percent of the population is affected with it. Although two-thirds of these patients get inflicted with the symptoms before reaching 30 years old, it knows no bounds. There were studies that revealed that boys up to the age of 10 can suffer from it. Since anyone can have it, digging deeper into it can make you aware of how to properly deal with it.

One of the reasons why this illness affects many people is its having a strong genetic predisposition. Parents with allergic rhinitis are 50 percent likely to have offspring with the same condition. If only one parent has it, the likeliness of occurrence in his or her children is only reduced by 20 percent.

Its symptoms are quite similar with those of the common cold, such as wheezing, eye tearing, sore throat, and impaired smell. Indicators unique to this condition include repetitive sneezing, runny nose, post-nasal drip, nasal congestion, fatigue and itchy eyes, ears, nose or throat, sinus headaches, and ear plugging. Sometimes, chronic cough may also be experienced by one who has it. This, however, may only be due to the post-nasal drip.

These usually occur after exposure to one or more of the following: indoor allergens such as dust mites, animal dander, cockroaches, and mold spores; and outdoor allergens like certain trees, grass, ragweed, and other pollens.

Since its symptoms and triggers seem quite common, it might be hard to tell on your own whether you really have allergic rhinitis or just a temporary allergic response. Consulting a doctor would be best. Apart from reviewing your medical history, the doctor will also perform some tests such as skin testing through prick method. Once the results come out positive, ask your doctor for the appropriate treatment. However, the treatment cannot eliminate the illness; rather, it reduces the allergy symptoms.

The best way to minimize the ‘allergy attacks’ is to stay away from what triggers the symptoms. Backing this simple measure with prescribed medication can further lessen the occurrence of the symptoms. One of the most common medications is in the form of antihistamine, which is available in tablets, capsules or liquid form. It cannot be combined with decongestants which, on the other hand, may be taken for the clogged nose.

Nasal sprays may be used to address runny nose. Steroid nasal sprays are known to be more effective than the previous medications. However, the improvement may only be noticed a week or two after the therapy with steroid nasal sprays has started.

In case you might be unresponsive to the medicines, experience side effects from taking them or simply do not want to take them, immunotherapy might work for you. This is done by giving the patient allergy shots to make his or her immune system much more able to withstand the allergen. Before this treatment will take place, blood and/or skin tests have to be performed to confirm the specific allergens to which one has antibodies.

Note, though, that this is not a cure for allergic rhinitis as it only aims to obtain symptom relief longer than what medications offer. However, about 60 percent of those who go through it for 3-5 sessions have reduced need for medications given they maintain living in an allergen-free environment.

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Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: allergic rhinitis,rhinitis,nasal,medications,treatment,allergens,allergy