According to medical statistics, almost a quarter of the world's population suffers from allergic rhinitis, which is accompanied by stuffiness and itching in the nose, sneezing and tearing. The disease is characterized by the ingress of allergens on the nasal mucosa, causing its constant inflammation. There are two types of such a cold: seasonal, appearing at a certain time of the year, and year-round, caused by household allergens. This pathology can be difficult to distinguish from the common cold, therefore, it remains without proper treatment for a long time. This article will discuss the types, symptoms and treatment of allergic rhinitis in children and adults.
Classification of Allergic Rhinitis
It is carried out taking into account the causes, development mechanisms and severity of the disease. Depending on the period of the common cold, there are:
- Seasonal - characterized by a distinct seasonality, which is associated with flowering and pollination of plants. The reaction can be caused by several allergens or one. After exacerbation, remission occurs. With frequent exacerbations of the nasal mucosa, the disease becomes permanent.
- Year-round - symptoms of allergic rhinitis are present at any time of the year. The reason lies in domestic animals, dust mites, molds, medicines, cosmetics, food allergens. Unlike the seasonal form, the discharge from the nose is thick, sneezing is rare, lacrimation, conjunctivitis and stuffiness in the ears are added.
In addition, another form of allergic rhinitis is known - professional. It is found in medical professionals, pharmacists, livestock specialists, and confectioners.
Classification by disease duration:
- intermittent - the symptoms of the disease worry less than four days a week or less than four weeks a year;
- persistent - the manifestation of signs of the disease more than four days a week or more than four weeks a year.
According to the severity of the disease:
- lung - minor symptoms, normal sleep, good performance and activity;
- secondary - the clinic intensifies, sleep is disturbed, the quality of work suffers, activity disappears;
- severe - painful signs, inability to sleep without drugs, hard to work.
Symptoms of the disease
An allergic rhinitis is manifested by a different clinical picture. Some of them are detected immediately after the appearance of the allergen, and others - after a few days or weeks. The characteristic symptoms of the disease include:
- sustained sneezing - occurs immediately after the appearance of the allergen;
- discharge from the nose is usually watery and transparent, but with time they thicken;
- tickling, itching and discomfort in the nose, sore throat;
- tearing - appears due to blockage of the channel connecting the eye socket and nose;
- stuffy ears - swelling of the Eustachian tube occurs;
- photophobia;
- decrease in smell and taste.
In a child, symptoms of allergic rhinitis are manifested in the following:
- there are problems with appetite and sleep;
- nausea appears, snoring in a dream;
- lethargy, poor concentration;
- half-open mouth of the child with severe swelling.
Such symptoms may be present in an adult, but they give the baby more inconvenience, are more pronounced, have more serious consequences.
Diagnostics
To make a diagnosis:
- a conversation with the patient to identify complaints and clarify the symptoms of allergic rhinitis;
- general inspection;
- examination of the nasal mucosa;
- rhinoscopy;
- smear on eosinophils;
- general blood analysis;
- skin tests to determine the allergen.
After clarifying the causes, signs of the disease and the results of the studies, a course of therapy is prescribed.
Allergic rhinitis in a child: symptoms and treatment
The signs of allergic rhinitis in a baby are very similar to the manifestation of a viral infection, but there are differences, which are as follows:
- frequent sneezing
- the discharge is watery and transparent;
- persistent itching in the nose:
- stuffiness during sleep;
- swelling of the face;
- tearfulness.
When observing a child, parents notice that such symptoms appear when in contact with animals, certain foods, household items, when going out. If you find symptoms of allergic rhinitis, you should immediately consult a doctor. After the examination, he will prescribe the appropriate course of therapy. First aid at home is only a nose wash. Treatment consists of the following components:
- Elimination of the allergen - move to another place during the flowering time of the plant, exclude objects and food that causes the disease from consumption.
- The use of medications is to use drugs that block the release of histamines: Suprastin, Diazolin, Fenkarol. To facilitate breathing, vasoconstrictive drops of Xymelin Extra are used. With a mild course of the disease, these funds are quite enough to deal with an allergic rhinitis.
- Specific Immunotherapy (SIT). The procedure is carried out in a hospital setting or on an outpatient basis in the treatment room and only if the allergen is known. It is administered in small doses subcutaneously to the patient, gradually increasing its amount. The immune system produces protective antibodies that block irritating reactions. This contributes to the reduction or disappearance of the common cold. The effectiveness of treatment is manifested after 3-4 courses.
Vasomotor allergic rhinitis: symptoms and treatment
Vasomotor runny nose is a chronic disease that is associated with impaired regulation of the blood vessels of the nasal mucosa. As a result, there is swelling of the nasal concha with the appearance of excess mucus. Allergic rhinitis is a form of vasomotor rhinitis. The most common allergens are plant pollen and animal hair, although food, insects, and drugs may be in their role. Allergies most often occur in people who have:
- genetic predisposition;
- frequent use of food additives, medicines, household chemicals.
Nasal congestion is the main symptom of allergic vasomotor rhinitis. It manifests itself periodically and intensifies under the influence of an allergen, physical activity and in a supine position. Other symptoms include:
- nasal voice;
- sneezing
- drainage of mucus in the throat;
- loss of sensitivity to odors;
- itching in the nose;
- conjunctivitis.
With the exudative form of the disease, a large amount of transparent watery mucus is secreted, sneezing appears, relief of symptoms is observed at night, and vice versa during the day. Obstructive rhinitis is characterized by a constant runny nose, secretion of thick mucus. At night, health deteriorates compared to daytime.
For the treatment of allergic rhinitis, the symptoms of which were described above, as well as its prevention, apply an integrated approach: eliminate the cause, use massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy, folk remedies, drugs of the following groups:
- Antihistamines - neutralize the effects of histamine, which causes inflammation: “Desloratadine”, “Zirtek”, “Levocetirizine”.
- Mast cell membrane stabilizers - Cromohexal. Prevents the release of histamine, which provokes allergies.
- Hormonal drugs - stop the allergic reaction, reduce pain and inflammation: Avamis, Flixonase, Nazonex.
- Washing preparations "Morenazal", "Salin", "Aqua-Maris". They remove excess mucus and prevent infection from entering.
- Vasoconstrictors - "Naphthyzin", "Sanorin", "Nazivin" relieve the condition, reduce swelling.
Sometimes immunotherapy is carried out, leading to the production of antibodies that block allergies. The procedure is carried out with a clarified allergen.
Treatment for allergic rhinitis in adults
The disease in adults in its development has three stages:
- periodic nasal congestion;
- the nose is blocked regularly; vasoconstrictors have to be used to facilitate breathing;
- a strong edema forms in the nasal cavity, the doctor ascertains the cyanosis of the mucous membrane, breathing through the nose is impossible, drops from a cold do not bring relief.
Treatment of allergic rhinitis in adults (symptoms see above) and the time of recovery depends on the severity and form of the disease. The following drugs are prescribed:
- Vasoconstrictor drops. They eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane and for some period of time give the opportunity to breathe freely. Do not increase the dosage and time of taking the drug - this leads to addiction.
- Antihistamines. They have different forms of release: tablets, drops, bottles for injection. They are used for exacerbations of year-round rhinitis, and the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis are prevented by the preliminary use of these funds. In this case, the severity of the disease is reduced. With prolonged use of medications, preference is given to drugs of the latest generation, which are not addictive and do not give severe adverse reactions.
- Mast cell membrane stabilizers are drugs that prevent the release of histamine, which affects inflammatory responses. They help eliminate puffiness of the mucosa.
- Hormonal drugs. They are used if there is no effect of antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs. They are taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor.
- Enterosorbents - free the body of toxins.
- Hypersensitivity. This technique is used when the type of allergen is known. For this, the individual is injected into the body of the individual in small doses, after getting used the symptoms of allergic rhinitis in adults fade and can completely disappear. The procedure is very lengthy and is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
Allergic chronic rhinitis
The inflammatory process that constantly takes place in the nasal mucosa, which is caused by the body's reactions to some kind of irritant, is called chronic allergic rhinitis. The disease is not contagious, it can occur in people of any age and gender. As soon as the irritant enters the nose, the immune system immediately begins to fight it, producing a special protein called immunoglobulin E. It affects not only the allergen, but also the healthy cells of the body, starting the inflammatory process, a runny nose appears. Chronic rhinitis is not tied to the season, the disease worsens at any time if provoking factors appear:
- house dust mites;
- fungal and mold spores;
- down of birds;
- saliva, excrement and animal hair;
- various insects;
- cosmetical tools;
- household chemicals;
- medications;
- Food.
An important role is played by the hereditary factor, poor ecology, pathological changes in the nasal cavity, and infections.
Symptoms of chronic allergic rhinitis are less pronounced than with an acute cold, but they cause sensitive discomfort. These include:
- swelling of the nasal mucosa;
- congestion;
- abundant transparent discharge;
- difficulty in nasal breathing, trouble sleeping;
- sneezing
- burning in the nose;
- conjunctivitis;
- problems with smell;
- sore throat, dry cough.
Constant inflammatory processes in the nasal cavity contribute to the appearance of bacterial infection and purulent discharge. Persistent violation of nasal breathing leads to swelling of the auditory tube, the appearance in the ears of unpleasant sensations.
Treatment of chronic allergic rhinitis
To obtain positive results in the treatment of the disease, it is necessary to use drugs and the patient to comply with all the doctor's instructions. The problem worsens if children become patients. The treatment of allergic rhinitis in the child, the symptoms of which we have already mentioned, and the correct formation of the palate and nasopharynx depend on the parents fulfilling all the doctor’s requirements. To eliminate chronic runny nose, the following complex therapy is used:
- eliminate contact with the allergen;
- take antihistamines that relieve swelling and facilitate breathing;
- vasoconstrictors are used strictly as prescribed by the doctor;
- special sprays are used to relieve burning sensations in the nose;
- if necessary, use hormonal agents;
- washed nasal passages with saline;
- carry out hyposensitizing therapy.
When treating chronic allergic rhinitis, one should strictly adhere to the recommendations of the attending physician.
Treatment with folk remedies
Traditional medicine always comes to the rescue in the fight against the disease. Do not forget that plant materials can cause allergies, so you should be very careful in choosing them. The first time to use the minimum dose and monitor well-being, if it worsens, stop using immediately. To treat allergic rhinitis with folk remedies (you already know the symptoms of the disease) and prevent the disease, use:
- Mummy. Take 1 g of the substance and dissolve in a liter of warm water. Drink the solution during the day. For children, reduce the dosage two or three times.
With seasonal allergies, the drug for prevention should be taken two to three weeks before the flowering of the plant begins.
- A series of. For use at home, it is better to use pharmacy raw materials. Some varieties of herbs contain toxic substances. For a decoction, take 20 g of grass in a glass of water. Take a tablespoon three times a day after meals.
- Celandine. To prepare the infusion, take a tablespoon of dry grass in half a liter of water. Drink half a glass, children - a quarter, morning and evening.
- Calendula. Prepare the infusion from a tablespoon of dried flowers in a glass of water. Take twice a day.
- Several times during the day, rinse the nasal passages with saline, it flushes the allergen.
In addition to phytotherapeutic treatment, daily physical activity is needed to strengthen the respiratory system and immunity in order to alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Prevention and consequences
To prevent the disease, the following measures should be taken:
- carry out constantly wet cleaning of the room;
- beware of allergen in the body;
- use drugs that prevent exposure to the stimulus;
- flush the nasal passages more often.
Long-term allergic rhinitis promotes the penetration of bacteria on the inflamed mucosa, affects performance, reduces mental activity and leads to depression. The chronic form of rhinitis can cause otitis media, and in children there may be disturbances in the development of the nasopharynx. This disease is present in a person all his life, so you need to learn to coexist with him and take preventive measures to prevent severe symptoms of allergic rhinitis.