Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction that causes sniffling, sneezing and other cold-like symptoms. It can be caused by allergies to dust, dander and other substances. When it's caused by an allergy to pollen, it goes by the common name of hay fever. Hay fever afflicts about 20 percent of the population, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Causes
An allergy occurs when the immune system perceives a threat in a harmless substance like pollen or dust and overreacts. When it encounters that harmless triggering substance, called an allergen, the body starts to defend itself as if it were under attack by a virus or bacteria. It releases chemicals like histamine that cause cold or flu-like symptoms.
Both environmental and genetic factors increase your risk for allergies, according to MedlinePlus. Hay fever is triggered by the pollen of trees, grasses and ragweed.
Symptoms
Symptoms include itchy nose, mouth, eyes, or skin; runny or stuffy nose; sneezing; sinus pressure; tearing; trouble smelling or tasting things properly; clogged ears; sore throat; puffiness or darkness under the eyes; tiredness; irritability and headache.
Hay fever or allergic rhinitis won't cause a thick, yellow discharge from the nose, fever, or body aches. Those symptoms indicate a cold or flu is the more likely culprit. Also, cold symptoms clear up in a week, but hay fever persists as long as the allergen is around.
When To See a Doctor
See a doctor if your symptoms are severe and don't resolve on their own, if allergy medicines aren't helping or stop working, or if side effects are a problem. Some conditions like asthma or sinus infection can worsen hay fever symptoms and may need treatment.
Treatments
The most effective treatment for most people is a nasal corticosteroid spray, which treats nasal symptoms, according to MedlinePlus. Other options include antihistamines, decongestants or a leukotriene modifier, which blocks an immune system chemical that causes allergy symptoms.
Some people who face severe, year-round symptoms are good candidates for allergy shots, which reduce symptoms by slowly building up a tolerance for an allergen. A daily nasal rinse with salt water is another helpful strategy.
Prevention
Allergic rhinitis can be prevented by avoiding the specific allergen that triggers symptoms. For hay fever, that may require avoiding the outdoors at certain times of year, keeping windows and doors closed and the air conditioning on, adding an allergy filter to the ventilation system or wearing a mask when outside.
If dust or dander is the trigger, special steps to keep the house clean of these allergens will help. These include vacuuming frequently with a filter-equipped machine, using allergy-proof covers on bedding, frequent washing of pets and bedding and using an air conditioner or dehumidifier.
