[이데일리 이순용 기자] Some people have a hard summer. These are pollen and grass seed allergy sufferers. It is so small that it is invisible to the naked eye and enters our body defenselessly and causes rhinitis. Constant runny nose, sneezing, and inflammation interfere with daily life, making it impossible to enjoy the change of seasons. Allergens aren’t just pollen or grass seeds. Various causative agents are scattered around. Learn about allergic rhinitis with the help of professor Kim Dong-hyun, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, Catholic University of Korea.
Q. What is allergic rhinitis and why does it occur?
A. Allergic rhinitis occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens (antigens that cause allergic disease) such as pollen, dust, or pet hair. When an allergen enters the body, it induces the release of a chemical called histamine, which causes inflammation and irritation of the nasal passages. The immune system misidentifies these foreign substances as threats and creates antibodies to fight them. As a result, they complain of allergic rhinitis symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, and itching.
Exposure to tree, grass, and weed pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet hair, as well as exposure to certain irritants, such as cigarette smoke and pollution, can also trigger symptoms of allergic rhinitis. If one of the parents has an allergic disease, the child is more likely to have it too. There are also reports that the prevalence of allergic rhinitis is higher in cities than in rural areas as an environmental factor, and that mental stress, obesity, lifestyle of the upper class, and global warming are related to the increase in prevalence.
Q. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis are often confused with cold symptoms. Is there a way to tell the difference between a cold and allergic rhinitis?
A. There is a slight difference between allergic rhinitis and cold symptoms. The common cold is caused by a viral infection and usually lasts 7 to 10 days. It is accompanied by a sore throat, cough, body aches, and a slight fever, and nasal symptoms include a runny nose or stuffy nose. Runny nose is also sticky than clear runny nose, and sneezing is also relatively infrequent and lasts all day.
Allergic rhinitis, on the other hand, is caused by an allergic reaction and can last for weeks or months if not properly treated. Nasal symptoms may be accompanied by a runny or stuffy nose, but the discharge is usually clear and watery. Itching around the eyes, nose, and throat is also a common symptom of allergic rhinitis and does not appear with a cold.
Q. Patients with allergic rhinitis are on the rise. Are there any age groups that are particularly prevalent?
A. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has increased over the past decades. Although it can affect all ages, many begin in childhood or adolescence, and prevalence is highest in children and young adults. According to studies, the highest prevalence occurs in people in their 20s and 30s, and it is known that about 10-30% of the total population is affected by allergic rhinitis. It is not a situation to be relieved of as research results suggest that the prevalence may increase in the elderly.
Q. What are the treatments for allergic rhinitis?
A. Depending on the cause of allergy and severity of symptoms, it is generally classified into avoidance therapy, drug therapy, immunotherapy, and surgical therapy. The first step in treating allergic rhinitis is to avoid exposure to allergens as much as possible. The second is drug therapy, which uses various types of oral medications such as antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, anticholinergics, and antidepressants, as well as intranasal spray preparations. Immunotherapy is a fundamental treatment method that induces immune tolerance to a corresponding antigen and reduces hypersensitivity by repeatedly injecting a causative antigen into a patient in small amounts and in small increments. Lastly, surgical treatment is mainly used to resolve nasal congestion, and special instruments such as lasers and coblator are used. In addition, there are nasal saline washes that can help clear mucus and allergens from the nasal passages. Above all, allergic rhinitis is a common disease that can be effectively managed with the right treatment plan. Actions to avoid or minimize exposure to allergens as much as possible by identifying the specific allergens that cause symptoms through testing can help reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms. You should receive appropriate management and treatment through consultation and treatment with a professional medical staff.
◇ Lifestyle tips to prevent allergic rhinitis
1. Wash bedding regularly to remove house dust mites or pet hair.
2. When I get home, I wash my clothes and take a shower.
3. Store clothes in a closet and not in the bedroom.
4. When there is a lot of pollen or air pollution, reduce outdoor activities and wear a mask and glasses when going out.
5. Clean the room and keep it clean.
6. Drink plenty of fluids.
7. Eat enough fruits and vegetables and reduce the intake of instant food or food with a lot of chemical seasonings.
2023-07-20 22:27:59
#goodbye #dreaded #allergic #rhinitis
