Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Overview

Hay Fever, which is also known as Allergic Rhinitis, occurs when the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed due to an allergic reaction to an allergen, such as pollen, dust mites, molds, or pet dander. Symptoms include sneezing, nasal stuffiness, itchiness in the nose, watery eyes, and postnasal drip. Hay Fever is not contagious and is different from a typical cold. The diagnosis process for Hay Fever involves a medical professional's clinical assessment, as well as allergy testing if necessary. In addition to the elimination of allergens, treatment options include prescription medications and, in some cases, immunotherapy.

What is Allergic Rhinitis?

Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of your nasal lining due to allergens, which can include dust mites, mold, pollen, or pet dander. 

Allergic rhinitis occurs when your immune system responds to these tiny bits of matter in the air that others may be able to tolerate with no problem. Allergens you breathe in, through your nose or mouth, can cause your body to release a chemical called histamine. This histamine causes swelling and congestion in your nose. It may also cause your eyes to water. 

While many people use the term “hay fever”, hay doesn’t cause this condition, and a fever doesn’t occur in most people. You can’t catch allergic rhinitis from other people, and it isn’t caused by a virus; hence, it is different from the common cold. Alternatively, an allergic reaction is produced from an overactive response of the immune system in this case. 

Children and adults can be affected either seasonally or year-round. Millions of individuals suffer from allergic rhinitis symptoms every year. Allergic rhinitis typically doesn’t cause severe complications. However, it can affect your work performance or school success if not properly treated. It may even lessen the quality of your life in general.

What Causes Allergic Rhinitis?

The main cause is exposure to allergens in your environment. Outdoor causes can include pollen from trees, grass, and weeds. For example, pollen increased in the spring, summer, and early fall. If wind carries pollen long distances, exposure increases. Seasonal factors contribute to symptom triggers. Many notice that their symptoms crop up at certain times every year, including tree pollen in spring, grass pollen in late spring, summer, and weed pollen in late summer and early fall. In some areas, weather patterns stretch out pollen seasons.

Indoor allergens can fuel symptoms year-round. Dust mites live in bedding, carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture. Pet dander consists of minute flakes of skin shed by animals. Mold can grow in damp areas like the bathroom or basement. Cockroach droppings and saliva can elicit allergic reactions. Indoor allergens are often worse in winter when closed up inside with the windows tight.

Common Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

Some of the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include the following:

• Sneezing is frequently the first symptom of allergic rhinitis, often occurring in repeated bursts. 

• A runny nose with clear discharge is also common. 

• Some people may experience nasal blockage instead. If the nasal passages swell inside, it becomes difficult to breathe through the nose. 

• Nasal itching is another common symptom. Many people feel the itching deep in the nose or the back of the throat. 

• Watery, red, and irritated eyes usually accompany nasal symptoms when they occur, since the same allergy affects them also. 

• Postnasal drip occurs when the excess mucus flows down the back of the throat. This causes throat irritation, leading to coughing or a need to clear the throat. 

• Some people also have sinus pressure, mild headache, or may feel tired or have dark circles under their eyes because of the continuing inflammation. 

• Symptoms come on quickly after certain exposures and may last for days or weeks, depending on the degree of exposure. 

Seasonal symptoms will get better when the pollen count goes down. Perennial symptoms may persist year-round.

Risk Factors of Allergic Rhinitis

Two major factors that increase the risk of Allergic Rhinitis are:

1. Heredity: If one parent has a history of allergies, asthma, or eczema, the risk for a child is that much greater. Families often pass on allergies because genetics plays a role in the manner in which the immune system responds to allergens.

2. Current asthma condition: The two conditions are closely intertwined. For many with asthma, nasal allergies exist as well, and there may be inflammation of the airways and nasal passages at the same time. 

The greater the exposure to substances that trigger symptoms at home or work, the greater the danger. Simply put, if you live with lots of pets, work in dusty situations, or in an environment where pollen counts run high, exposure will elicit or exacerbate an allergic response. Jobs may commonly involve substances such as irritants and allergens, including construction work, dirt and dust from farming, work in cleaning services, and caring for animals.

Diagnosing Allergic Rhinitis

The first step is a thorough clinical evaluation. 

When a healthcare provider suspects allergic rhinitis, they will ask questions about the symptoms you have, when they began, and what seems to trigger them, and will take a history of your medical problems. If you have had asthma or eczema, or if someone in your family has had allergies, it is relevant to your diagnosis. 

Next, an examination will focus on your nose, throat, and eyes. The provider looks for swollen nasal passages, pale or bluish nasal lining, and the presence of excess mucus. They will also examine the patient for signs of a sinus infection or anything else that may imitate allergic rhinitis.

Allergy tests may be suggested when symptoms are chronic and debilitating. With these tests, called an immunoglobulin E (IgE) test, blood is drawn to measure IgE in your body in response to allergens. Another option is a skin prick test. During this procedure, drops of allergens are placed on your skin. If one or more of them causes a reaction, your doctor will know that you’re allergic to it, and the area becomes red and swollen in minutes. This pinpointing helps the doctor understand your exact problem and how best to tailor a treatment approach.

Treatment Options for Allergic Rhinitis in Dubai

In Dubai, allergy treatment is available, including Medcare’s Allergic Rhinitis Treatment centre, staffed by ENT specialists and allergy discipline, who understand the nature of allergic rhinitis and how best to assess (with a patented computer protocol) and manage (with a patented computer protocol as well) that condition in the individual patient.

Management entails:

• avoidance of the allergens

• medical therapy

• long-range allergy Management Strategies

• immunotherapy in select cases

Medications and Preventive Measures for Nasal Allergies:

• Medical therapy is aimed at controlling the inflammation and relieving nasal obstruction. Moisture and stabilisation of the irritant action at the origin of nasal inflammation is the aim.

• Antihistamines can relieve sneezing and nasal itching by competing with histamine for binding sites to the upper lining of the nose.

• Nasal corticosteroid sprays control the swelling of the tissues lining the nasal passages.

• Decongestants may help relieve blockage of the nasal passages for short periods.

• Avoidance of the allergens is the first step of management in this case.

• Counselling may be established, including reducing exposure to irritants at work and home.

• Excluding pets from sleeping areas, wearing dust mite-proof covers, not airing down bedding or bed curtains during bad pollen seasons in winter and spring, and extending the swing of major appliances and fans can be major help.

• In rare instances, leukotriene inhibitors might be advised

• People with asthma are often partnered in their care by both their allergist and their asthma specialist.

• For some, immunotherapy (usually allergy shots) is a good option. This therapy delivers small amounts of allergen over time to gradually make the immune system less sensitive. 

Some people reduce the severity of their symptoms and their need for medication with this therapy. Doctors do not prescribe immunotherapy lightly; it is usually reserved for people whose symptoms are more severe or lower quality of life, and whose need for medications is real. For these people, long-term allergy management means staying on top of it. Doctors follow the symptoms of all their patients to see how they respond to treatment.

Medcare provides a thorough allergy testing programme, carefully and methodically rendering evidence-based treatment that aims at controlling symptoms and improving quality of life.