WHAT IS ALLERGIC RHINITIS?
Rhinitis means inflammation of the nose. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nose caused by allergies. It occurs when allergens stick to the airway mucosa and initiate inflammatory reactions. The type that occurs in certain seasons (mostly in the spring months when pollen flies) is called seasonal rhinitis. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is also known as hay fever, but this is not a correct term. There is also a type of allergic rhinitis that lasts all year round and is called perennial rhinitis. In perennial rhinitis, the cause is usually allergens such as animal hair, various chemicals or house dust that are present in the environment throughout the year.
WHICH ALLERGENS PLAY A ROLE IN ALLERGIC RHINITIS?
The most common causes of allergic rhinitis are pollens in the air and trees in our environment. However, similar reactions can also develop against allergens such as mold, animal hair, house dust and mites. Allergic rhinitis can occur when small pollens flying in the air with the wind stick to the mucosa of the airways and trigger an allergic event. These allergens are caught in the nasal mucosa due to their size and usually do not go down further and cause lower respiratory tract symptoms. However, this is not always the case. The pollens that trigger these reactions vary depending on the person and the region. Especially in dry and windy weather, the amount of pollen in the air is high and the frequency of allergic rhinitis increases.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS?
When an allergen is encountered, itching occurs especially in the mouth, nose, eyes, throat and skin. Runny nose and watery eyes are typical. Nasal congestion and difficulty in smelling may occur. Sometimes these symptoms may be accompanied by wheezing. Cough and headache may also occur.
ARE OTHER ALLERGIC DISEASES INCREASED IN PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS?
Allergic rhinitis is usually found in people who are prone to allergies, called atopic. Other allergic diseases (such as eczema, urticaria or asthma) are more common in these people than in normal people. In addition, allergic rhinitis and other allergic diseases are more common in people with a family history of allergic diseases.
AT WHAT AGES IS ALLERGIC RHINITIS SEEN?
Symptoms of the disease usually appear before the age of 40, and the complaints decrease with age. However, it is rare for the disease to completely go away on its own.
The most important thing in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is the patient's history. Knowing in which season, when encountered, and how the symptoms appear is important in reaching a diagnosis. Sometimes, even though the results of the tests performed are negative, it is possible to make a diagnosis from the patient's typical history. During the examination, the patients' nasal mucosa is pale, but the nostrils are red. Polyps have developed in these patients due to the continuous inflammation of the nasal mucosa, and these polyps are especially common in the type that continues all year round. These polyps can also cause nasal congestion. Among the diagnostic tests, the measurement of the total blood level of the antibody IgE that causes allergy and allergy tests applied to specific allergens are the most frequently used diagnostic methods. Allergy tests applied to the skin in particular are the most frequently used method. Counting the cells called eosinophils in the blood, whose numbers increase in allergic reactions, or examining these cells in a swab taken from the nose supports the diagnosis. Sometimes, the diagnosis of the allergen can be made by looking at the response after staying away from possible allergens or encountering them.
WHAT SHOULD PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS PAY ATTENTION TO?
Avoid being in dusty and pollen-rich environments, and if you have to be there, wear a mask.
Doors and windows should be kept closed during seasons when pollen is flying.
An air humidifier should be used at home, especially in heated homes, as dry home air can worsen allergic rhinitis.
Attention should be paid to the cleanliness of the room air and it should be ensured that the ventilation systems are working well.
Keeping animals and plants at home should be avoided.
Instead of feather and wool blankets, cotton and synthetic ones should be preferred.
Household items such as rugs and carpets that may collect dust should not be used.
HOW IS THE TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS?
The most important thing in allergic diseases is to avoid exposure to allergens. The precautions to be taken in this regard are explained in the section 'What should allergic rhinitis patients pay attention to?' The treatment of allergic rhinitis is aimed at eliminating the complaints, the disease cannot be eliminated with this treatment. In the treatment of allergic rhinitis, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines, which prevent the release of the substance causing the problem when exposed to an allergen, drugs that reduce the swelling in the inner surface of the nose, and nasal sprays containing cortisone. However, all of these drugs must be prescribed by the doctor after evaluating the severity of the disease and the patient's condition.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS?
Allergic rhinitis is a disease that lasts a lifetime but decreases in severity with age. Allergic rhinitis does not cause any significant health problems other than causing distress to the patient, impairing their quality of life and causing loss of work force. If the necessary precautions are taken and appropriate treatment is given, it is possible to significantly reduce the number of attacks of this disease.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS
Allergy is a response that the body develops when it encounters a foreign substance.
Substances that cause allergies are also called allergens.
Allergens can cause many allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic asthma, contact dermatitis, and urticaria.
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nose caused by allergies. It occurs when allergens adhere to the airway mucosa and initiate inflammatory reactions.
The most common causes of allergic rhinitis are pollens in the air and trees found around us.
When an allergen is encountered, itching occurs especially in the mouth, nose, eyes, throat and skin. Runny nose and watery eyes are typical.
Allergic rhinitis is most often found in people who are prone to allergies, called atopic.
The most important thing in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is the patient's history.
Among the diagnostic tests, measuring the total blood level of the allergy-causing antibody IgE and allergy tests against specific allergens are the most commonly used diagnostic methods.
The most important thing in allergic diseases is to avoid exposure to the allergen.
In the treatment of allergic rhinitis, medications such as antihistamines, which block the release of the substance that causes the reaction when exposed to an allergen, sprays that reduce swelling in the inner surface of the nose, and nasal sprays containing cortisone are used upon the recommendation of a physician.
1. recipe
Wolf's claw, sage, linden, grass, peryavşan, rosemary.
The herbs can be boiled as a whole or separately and drunk as tea with honey.
2. recipe
Black seed oil is dropped into the nose.
4. recipe
100 gr. pollen
30 gr. royal jelly
100 gr. Turmeric powder
It is mixed with 1 kg of honey and made into a paste.
5. recipe
Mix half olive oil and half lemon and drop it into the nose.
