In fall, it is common to see people suffering from respiratory symptoms such as sneezing and runny nose. Of course, it may be due to a cold, but if sneezing continues for more than two weeks without other symptoms such as fever, it is better to suspect ‘allergic rhinitis’. It doesn’t seem like there is as much pollen as in the spring, so why do the number of allergic rhinitis patients increase in the fall?
The number of allergic rhinitis patients increases in fall | Source: Getty Image Bank
Pollen and cold winds in fall cause allergic rhinitis
Pollen is considered the main cause of seasonal allergies. In fact, although the pollen concentration is lower in fall than in spring, it is still a time when caution about pollen is needed. This is because pollen from weeds such as mugwort and ragweed mixes in the air and irritates the respiratory tract.
There is also the influence of the cold, dry air that is unique to fall. Allergy symptoms tend to worsen as the nasal mucosa, which should be moist, dries out. In addition, due to the large daily temperature difference between day and night, the capillaries in the respiratory tract repeat contraction and relaxation, which makes them more sensitive to external stimuli, causing frequent symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, and stuffy nose.
In fact, according to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of patients visiting hospitals with rhinitis last year was highest in April, followed by October. In particular, the number of patients began to increase rapidly in September, reached a peak in October, and tended to decrease again as the weather got colder. As pollen spreads and daily temperature differences increase, the number of allergic rhinitis patients also increases.
Symptoms such as stuffy nose and sneezing… If left untreated, complications may arise.
The representative symptoms of allergic rhinitis in the fall are respiratory symptoms, which mainly include sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion. In severe cases of nasal congestion, headaches may occur, and the nasal mucosa may become irritated, causing severe itching. In particular, symptoms of nasal congestion due to vasodilation become worse at night, and runny nose and sneezing tend to worsen after waking up in the morning.
Of course, most symptoms of allergic rhinitis tend to disappear over time. However, it is not recommended to just leave it alone. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, allergic rhinitis can cause complications such as sinusitis, nasal congestion, sleep disorders, otitis media, and asthma. In addition, children are more likely to develop malocclusion due to chronic nasal congestion and the habit of breathing through the mouth, and adults also have a lower quality of life due to breathing discomfort, so it is best to receive timely treatment when symptoms appear.
You must wear a mask and manage your indoor environment… Nasal washing and taking medicine are also helpful.
In order to relieve allergic rhinitis symptoms in the fall and keep the respiratory system healthy, the first priority is to avoid contact with allergens or factors that worsen symptoms. In particular, △cigarette smoke, △polluted air, and △cold wind can worsen allergy symptoms, so caution is required. It is also helpful to wear a mask as much as possible when going out to reduce contact with pollen or dust in the air.
Managing your home environment is also important. As dry weather in the fall affects rhinitis symptoms, it is best to maintain appropriate indoor temperature and humidity. During the spring and fall seasons, it is recommended to set the indoor temperature to 19~23℃ and humidity to about 50%. In addition, it is a good idea to clean the house regularly to prevent dust from accumulating in the house, and to ventilate by opening the windows during and after cleaning.
After bending your upper body to 90 degrees, slowly injecting a nasal wash such as saline solution into the nose and rinsing it out can also help relieve symptoms. If symptoms such as stuffy nose or runny nose do not improve, you can relieve symptoms by taking antihistamines. However, since antihistamines can cause drowsiness, caution is needed when taking them in situations that require concentration, such as driving.
Sejin Ahn, Hidoc Health and Medical Reporter [email protected]
