Advice from your Allergist You may have allergic rhinitis if … You sneeze a lot, often in rapid succession…your nose is runny, congested or stuffy…you’re bothered by itching of the nose, eyes, throat or roof of the mouth…you’re nagged by postnasal drip… your ears pop or are plugged… you have a decrease sense of smell…and/or you get sinus headaches. What is allergic rhinitis? Known to most people as hay fever (see box below), allergic rhinitis is a very common medical problem affecting more than 15% of the population, both adults and children. Allergic rhinitis takes two different forms – seasonal and perennial. Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis surface in spring, summer and/or early fall and are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to pollens from trees, grasses or weeds, or to airborne mold spores. Other people experience symptoms year-round, a condition called perennial allergic rhinitis. It’s generally caused by sensitivity to house dust, house dust mites, animal danders and/or mold spores. Underlying or hidden food allergies are considered a controversial cause of perennial nasal symptoms. Some people may experience both types of rhinitis, with perennial symptoms worsening during specific pollen seasons. As will be discussed later, there are also other causes for rhinitis. What causes the sneezing, itchy eyes, and other symptoms? When a sensitive person inhales an allergen (allergy-causing substance) like ragweed pollen, the body’s immune system reacts abnormally with the allergen. The allergen binds to allergic antibodies (immunoglobulin E) that are attached to cells that produce histamine and other chemicals. The pollen “triggers” these cells in the nasal membranes, causing them to release histamine and the other chemicals. Histamine dilates the small blood vessels of the nose and fluids leak out into the surrounding tissues, causing runny noses, watery eyes, itching, swelling and other allergy symptoms. Is allergic rhinitis ever the cause of other problems? Some known complications include ear infections, sinusitis, recurrent sore throats, cough, headache, fatigue, irritability, altered sleep patterns and poor school performance. Occasionally, children may develop altered facial growth and orthodontic problems. Allergy treatment can eliminate or alleviate most of these problems. Are all...
