Allergic Rhinitis

What is Allergic Rhinitis:
It is also known as Hay Fever
It is an inflammation of nasal paasage,characterized by sneezing,nasal congestion,nasal itching and discharge from the nose.
It occurs when our immune system overeacts to particles in the air that we breathe-we are allergic to them.Our immune system attacks the particles in our body and causing symptoms such as sneezing,runny nose.
There are 2 categories of allergic rhinitis:
Seasonal-Attacks occur during certain season ,especially in pollen season.
Perennial:Attacks are interspersed throughout the year.

During a process called sensitization our immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless airborne substance as something harmful. Our immune system then starts producing antibodies to this harmless substance.The next time when we come in contact with the substance these recognize it immune system release chemicals such as histamine into our blood stream,causing a reaction that leads to the irritating signs and symptoms of hay fever

•Pollen
•Dust
•Outdoor molds
•House dust mites
•Wood dust
•Exposure to certain animals
•Smoke,pollution and strong smells

•Sneezing
•Itching-nose,eyes,ears,palate
•Rhinorrhea
•Post nasal drip
•Congestion
•Anosmia
•Headache
•Earache
•Tearing
•Eyes red,swollen
•Fatigue
•Drowsiness

•Skin prick test -In this small amount of triggering material is pricked into the skin and observed the signs of allergic reaction.
•Allergy blood test -Radioallergosorbent test(RAST) can measure the immune system’s response to a specific allergens.
•Intradermal tests -The allergen extract is injected between layers of skin.

Nasal corticosteroid like Flonase,Triamcinolon,Nasonex
Antihistamines like Diphenhydramine (Benadryl),Loratidine,Cetrizine
Decongestant like Sudafed and Drixoral,nasal spray like Phenylephrine,Oxymetazoline Nasal Ipratropium
Immunotherapy
Rinsing the sinuses.