What Is Allergic Nasal Disease?
Allergic Rhinitis is a condition that occurs after substances causing allergies (allergens) come into contact with the nasal mucosa and is accompanied by complaints such as discharge, itching in the nose and eyes, sneezing, and throat itching. Its cause is an abnormal reaction to airborne particles that enter the nose through breathing. The terms hay fever, summer flu, and allergic rhinitis (nasal inflammation) are also used synonymously with allergic rhinitis.
The severity of the allergic reactions that occur in this disease varies from person to person; while some patients experience these allergic reactions very mildly, in others they may be severe enough to prevent them from working and impair their quality of life.
Allergic rhinitis is divided into two subgroups according to the duration of complaints, Intermittent and Persistent, and into three groups according to severity: mild, moderate, and severe.
CAUSE OF ALLERGY
By definition, allergy is an excessive reaction developed by the immune system. The immune system develops a response against all foreign substances entering the body. Under normal conditions, this is a natural form of protection. However, some people develop a different immune response to certain substances, and unexpected excessive reactions occur when they encounter these substances again. You can contact us to obtain information about allergic rhinitis treatment.
These substances are called allergens, and the individuals are called allergic. Allergy is a genetically inherited characteristic, and when both parents are allergic, allergy is seen in approximately 50% of their children. Allergens stimulate the body to produce antibodies. These antibodies then combine with allergens and cause the release of certain chemical substances that lead to undesirable effects in the body.
Histamine is the best-known chemical substance among these. This substance causes swelling of the nasal membranes, itching, irritation, and excessive discharge.
WHICH ALLERGENS CAUSE RHINITIS?
Animal and plant proteins that are small and light enough to be carried in the air accumulate on the membranes in our eyes, nose, and throat. Pollen, fungal spores, animal hair, and house dust are among the most common of these particles.
In the early period of spring, pollen or trees commonly found in the environment cause allergic reactions. In the later period of spring, pollen originates from meadows. Colorful ornamental plants whose pollen is too heavy to be carried by the air rarely cause allergies. The pollen of these plants is carried from one place to another by insects. Some plants begin producing pollen at the end of August. This continues throughout September. Sometimes they continue producing pollen until October or until the first cold weather.
Fungi are molds that make bread moldy and cause fruit to spoil. They are also found in dry leaves, meadows, hay, seeds, other plants, and soil. Since they are resistant to cold, the allergy problem lasts a long time, and their spores are present in the air throughout the entire year except during periods when snow covers the ground. Indoors, fungi live on plants and in their potting soil. They are also found in damp places such as basements and laundry rooms, as well as in cheese and fermented beverages.
YEAR-ROUND VARIATION OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Allergens are present in the environment throughout the year, including animal debris, cosmetic materials, fungi, foods, and house dust. House dust has a complex structure consisting of cellulose shed from furniture, fungi, mites, debris shed from household animals, and insect particles. Allergy increases in winter under the influence of house dust when warm-air heating systems are turned on.
HARMS OF ALLERGY
Allergic individuals have increased susceptibility to colds, sinus infections, and ear infections. These illnesses may cause them more discomfort than people without allergies. In fact, in more severe cases, these individuals may develop asthma.
APPROACH TO THE ALLERGIC PATIENT
All patients should undergo a complete examination of the ears, nose, throat, head, and neck. It should be determined whether the complaints are caused by any infection or structural disorder, and appropriate treatment should be administered if such a problem is identified.
After the medical history and examination, skin tests or blood tests may be requested to determine which substance causes the allergic reaction. The tests reveal not only which substance you are allergic to but also the level of this allergy.
There are different groups of medications that can be used in the treatment of patients diagnosed with allergies. Different treatment protocols may be applied according to the patient’s characteristics, examination findings, and the severity of the complaints.
The main groups of medications used are antihistamines (suppress allergic reactions), decongestants (reduce swelling inside the nose), cromolyn (prevents the release of substances causing the reaction from the cells), corticosteroids (reduce reactions and may be used as injections, tablets, or sprays), and vaccines (enable the allergen to be blocked in the body without causing an allergy and reduce sensitivity to the allergen).
When an allergen causing the complaints is identified through tests or medical history, environmental control counseling aimed at avoiding these allergenic substances should also be provided in addition to medical treatment.
The sequence of approaches followed in the treatment of allergic rhinitis is as follows:
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- Eliminating contact with allergen triggers,
- Medication treatment,
- Vaccine treatment
- Surgery: It is used especially in cases of enlarged nasal turbinates causing nasal obstruction, formation of nasal polyps, and chronic sinusitis that does not respond to treatment. It helps reduce the patient’s complaints.
METHODS OF PROTECTION FROM ALLERGY
Ideally, one may choose to live away from the place where the allergy occurs. Unfortunately, this ideal practice can rarely be implemented. However, some helpful recommendations may be beneficial.
- Wearing a pollen mask while mowing the lawn or cleaning the house.
- Changing the filters in heating and ventilation systems monthly or starting to use an air-cleaning device.
- Keeping doors and windows closed during periods when pollen is very dense.
- Not keeping plants or animals in the home.
- Replacing feather pillows, wool blankets, and wool covers with those made of cotton or synthetic materials.
- Using sufficient antihistamines and decongestants when necessary.
- Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated.
- Following general health rules, exercising every day, quitting smoking and staying away from other factors that cause air pollution, eating a balanced diet, reducing carbohydrates, and adding vitamins to the diet. (vit. C) Since dry indoor air causes many allergic individuals to worsen, using an air humidifier, especially during the winter months, will be beneficial. However, the possibility of fungal growth in the humidifier should be taken into consideration.
