In this day and age, having allergic rhinitis can be hard to deal with. The sniffling immediately sets off several warning bells, and a lot of the symptoms can cause worry for the uninformed. What is allergic rhinitis, and how does one deal with it?
What is Allergic Rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever, is often overlooked as a common cold. It is the inflammation of the nasal passages caused by allergens. Though it eventually passes, the sickness and discomfort that it causes can impede daily life. As allergic rhinitis affects a person’s sinuses, it also affects a person’s breathing patterns. In turn, it also affects a person’s whole body.
Allergic Rhinitis: Causes and Symptoms
Allergic rhinitis is caused when allergens come in contact with the body. Allergens, a type of antigen, produce an abnormally strong reaction from the body’s immune system. When the body detects allergens, these foreign particles are perceived as a threat. The immune system fights allergens off, and the allergic reactions that are experienced are the symptoms of an allergic rhinitis attack.
There are several allergens that can trigger allergic rhinitis. The most common allergens are dust, pollen, mold, and animal dander. Sometimes, certain food or even strong scents can also cause allergic rhinitis. Knowing what to avoid can help lessen the chances of experiencing rhinitis attacks.
Common symptoms may include all the signs of a common cold, like sneezing or a stuffy and runny nose. Coughing, a sore throat, or itchy and watery eyes can also be expected. More severe cases have symptoms that include frequent headaches, excessive fatigue, and even eczema-type symptoms. Depending on a person’s period of exposure to allergens, they can experience symptoms of allergic rhinitis only during certain times of the year, or experience symptoms all year long.
How to Manage and Treat Allergic Rhinitis
Treatment for allergic rhinitis focuses on relieving the symptoms that people often experience when they get it.
The best way to manage symptoms of allergic rhinitis is to know allergen triggers that affect you and learning how to avoid them. Taking an allergen test can help you determine what to be careful of.
Proper nasal hygiene can also help you manage your allergic rhinitis symptoms. Regularly
cleaning your nasal passages with a seawater solution like Aqua Maris Strong nasal spray can help bring relief from pesky allergic rhinitis symptoms.
