Hay fever sufferers know that the disease, medically known as "allergic rhinitis," can be debilitating. Allergic rhinitis symptoms can greatly limit your enjoyment of everyday activities. There are many biological and environmental triggers for allergy and asthma attacks. Physical exercise can induce rhinitis symptoms in sensitive individuals.
Symptoms and Causes
A rhinitis attack often mimics a cold with symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology identifies two kinds of rhinitis: allergic and non-allergic. Although the symptoms are the same, allergic rhinitis is usually seasonal and is brought on by particles such as dust, molds and pollens that you breathe in from your environment. Non-allergic rhinitis tends to be year around and may be a side-effect of medication. A combination of factors can contribute to exercise-induced "allergic" rhinitis including breathing rate and air temperature.
Identification
Diagnosing allergic rhinitis involves testing to see whether your body produces antibodies -- immunoglobulin -- in response to trigger substances, or allergens. Skin testing is the most common method. With this procedure, an allergist injects small amounts of serums containing allergens to various substances in rows along your back, upper arm or forearm. After 15 to 20 minutes, the physician looks at each injection site to see if a significant allergic reaction has occurred. Blood tests and food elimination testing are other methods for testing allergies.
Considerations
Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain -- during or after exercise -- are not symptoms of allergic rhinitis. If you are having attacks of this nature, you should stop exercising until you can see a physician. You could have a condition known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, or EIB. EIB is a form of asthma, caused from narrowing of your bronchial tubes as you breathe during exercise. You don't have to have asthma to have EIB, but you are more susceptible if you have allergic rhinitis.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of your allergies, many treatment options are available such as over-the-counter antihistamines, prescription drugs and inhalers. Severe allergies are best treated with a regular course of long-term, allergy injections that builds your tolerance to significant allergens.
Prevention
You don't have to avoid exercising just because you have allergic rhinitis. However, common sense tells you not to engage in strenuous activities when your allergies are flaring. Don't exercise in places where you are likely to encounter allergens or other triggers such as strong odors and chemical pollutants. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology also advises you to participate in stop-and-go activities, rather than long, endurance activities. Always carry a syringe of adrenalin with you if you are allergic to insect stings and are exercising outdoors.
References
- AAAAI.org: Tips to Remember: Rhinitis
- AAAAI.org: Get Exercise-Induced Asthma Under Control
- Carleston et al: Exercise-induced Asthma, Respiratory and allergic disorders in elite athletes: Epidemiology, Mechanisms and Diagnosis, (2008)
- National Institutes of Health Medline Plus: Allergy Testing
- AAAAI.org: Tips to Remember: Asthma and Exercise
- ACAAI.org: Exercising with Allergies and Asthma
