Allergic rhinitis can result when the immune systems reacts to inhaled substances in the air, such as pollen. This allergic reaction causes inflammation and swelling in the nose, which can cause itching and a runny nose as well as blockage of the sinuses. Allergic rhinitis can be treated by avoiding the pollen or other airborne particles which trigger it or by treating the symptoms.
Causes
Two factors are involved in the development of allergic rhinitis. First, the patient must have an immune system that is unusually sensitive to certain kinds of molecules, known as allergens. This, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, is typically caused by genetics. Second, the patient must come into contact with the allergens that are able to trigger the allergic reaction. Patients who are allergic to pollen, such as that from some grasses and ragweed, have an allergic reaction when they inhale the pollen. The inflammation that this reaction causes leads to allergic rhinitis.
Symptoms
Allergic rhinitis can cause a variety of symptoms, Medline Plus notes. Patients can develop an itchy nose, throat, mouth, eyes or skin. They can also develop tearing of the eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing and can have problems with their sense of smell. As the condition progresses, patients can develop congestion, which can make it difficult to breath through their nose. This congestion can lead to a headache and fatigue. Mucus can also drip down the throat into the lungs, leading to a cough and a sore throat.
Complications
Allergic rhinitis can also lead to an infection in the sinuses in the nose due to an inability to clear mucus out of the blocked passages. This can cause severe pain and a fever, as well as loss of smell and a cough that gets worse at night. Children with allergic rhinitis are also more prone to developing infections of the middle ear and of the respiratory system because the inflammation from the allergies makes it more difficult for the body to eliminate mucus and other fluids, in turn making it easier for bacteria to grow.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing what allergens are causing allergic rhinitis can be essential for managing this condition. An exam from an allergist, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology explains, will entail a thorough medical history that will include questions about the settings and times of the year that the allergies are the worst. Skin testing can also be done to identify potential allergens; a skin test exposes the patient to a small amount of potential allergens to see if the compounds generate an allergic reaction.
Treatment
There are a number of different ways in which allergic rhinitis can be treated, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology notes. If possible, patients should make every attempt to avoid allergens that trigger their symptoms. Some medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, can be used as needed for symptomatic relief. Other drugs, such as antihistamines, anti-leukotrienes and decongestants, can also be used to relieve the symptoms of these types of allergies. Patients may also benefit from immunotherapy, which involves the injection of allergens over an extended period of time in an effort to desensitize the immune system.
