Table of Contents
Highlights
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is the body's response to outdoor or indoor allergens. Outdoor triggers of allergic rhinitis include ragweed, grass, tree pollen, and mold spores. Indoor triggers include dust mites, pet dander, or mold that grows in humid indoor places such as carpets. Outdoor allergens cause seasonal allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever), which typically occurs during the spring and summer. Indoor allergens can cause perennial (year-round) allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis tends to run in families. If one or both parents have allergic rhinitis, there is a high likelihood that their children will also have allergic rhinitis. People with allergic rhinitis have an increased risk of developing asthma and other allergies. They are also at risk for developing sinusitis, sleep disorders (including snoring and sleep apnea), nasal polyps, and ear infections.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
- Runny nose or nasal congestion
- Frequent sneezing
- Itchy watery eyes
- Itching in nose, throat, or roof of mouth
Treatment
Home remedies for allergic rhinitis include nasal washes with a saline solution. Many different over-the-counter and prescription drugs are used to treat allergic rhinitis. These medications include oral and nasal antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, cromolyn, leukotriene antagonists [(such as montelukast )Singulair)], and decongestants. Many of these drugs have side effects. Immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) may also be an option for some patients.
Prevention
In addition to avoiding exposure to allergy triggers, people with allergic rhinitis can take precautions to control their environment. These measures include washing animals weekly, using vacuum cleaners and air conditioners with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, frequent washing of bedding and curtains, reducing humidity in the house, and removing sources of mold.
Review Date: 05/03/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical
School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
