An allergy is the immune system’s irregular reaction to harmless stimuli or substances, under normal circumstances. The stimuli that trigger allergic reactions are called allergens, and they include a wide range of everyday substances, from dust to certain foods. Allergies are a common medical condition, affecting more than 40 million people in the United States alone. Nasal allergies have a strong impact on anatomical structures called turbinates.
Turbinates
Turbinates, also called nasal concha, are among several sausage-shaped structures found inside the upper nasal cavities. The inferior, superior, medial and supreme turbinates consist of thin bones encased by sponge-like mucus membranes. Turbinates serve as air filters and air humidifiers, and they warm the inhaled air that passes through the nasal chambers.
Allergic Rhinitis
The scientific name for nasal allergies that are caused by inhaled substances is allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergic rhinitis occurs in response to varying levels of pollens and airborne molds during summer, fall or spring. The term “hay fever” is synonymous with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Perennial allergic rhinitis occurs throughout the year, and is generally caused by indoor catalysts such as pet dander, dust and mold. In a nutshell, seasonal allergies are primarily caused by outdoor allergens, whereas perennial allergic rhinitis is predominately caused by indoor allergens.
Symptoms and Effects
A nasal allergic reaction involves symptoms such as watery eyes, dry cough, sore throat and itchy nose. However, symptoms involving the turbinates to a great extent include nasal congestion, a runny nose, post-nasal drip and sneezing. These reactions cause the turbinates to swell, triggering a domino effect that adds or increases existing symptoms such as severe nasal blockage, facial pressure and headaches.
While all of the turbinates are affected by allergies in varying degrees, the inferior turbinates are generally hit the hardest, in part because of their large size and frontal location within the nasal cavity. However, as the middle turbinates become enlarged from allergic reactions, they can narrow the passageways -- or the ostiomeatal complex -- of the nasal/paranasal sinuses that normally drain mucus. This phenomenon in the middle turbinates can lead to infections of the sinuses called sinusitis.
Treatments
There are invasive/surgical and non-invasive treatments for allergic effects on turbinates. Non-invasive treatments for allergies include identifying and avoiding allergens; taking antihistamines, decongestants, allergy shots or immunotherapy, nasal corticosteroids, external nose bands and other medications or aids. Invasive treatments include turbinate reduction or removal, also called turbinectomy.
References
- Encyclopedia.com; Allergy; Richard Robinson; 2006
- California Sinus Centers: Nasal Turbinates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nasal Concha
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Allergic Rhinitis
- PubMed Health; Allergic Rhinitis
- American Rhinologic Society; Brief Overview of Sinus and Nasal Anatomy; Martin J. Citardi, M.D.
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