Allergy (allergic rhinitis) (hay fever)

What is the allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or present throughout the year. Seasonal allergic rhinitis normally starts with spring and ends in the fall. Allergens that cause it are most often pollen, buds, and outdoor mold. Annual allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that are present throughout the year, such as pet hair or feathers, dust, mites, mildew, or other indoor source. Some people can suffer from seasonal and annual allergic rhinitis at the same time.

No matter the allergen, allergic rhinitis symptoms are the same, whether seasonal or annual: 

• Nasal and sinus congestion;
• Headaches;
• Clear and abundant nasal discharges;
• Sneezing;
• Tearing;
• Red eyes;
• Eye, nose, and throat itching or tingling. 

However, the severity and number of symptoms that a person has can vary from one year to the next. For example, in the case of seasonal allergies, symptoms are usually more severe during hot and dry weather, in the morning, or on windy days.Although allergies are not hereditary, a person has more chances of suffering from allergies when the parents are also affected.

Can Allergies Be Prevented?

It is possible to prevent allergies by avoiding contact with the allergen. Certain measures can help reduce the allergy sufferer’s exposure to allergens:

If allergic to pollen, it is recommended to:

• Use an air conditionner or filter in the house and car in order to leave windows closed at all times and keep mildew from coming inside;
• Avoid using fans, if possible;
• Opt for outdoor activities during the afternoon since pollen count is at its peak in the morning and lowers in the afternoon;
• Take a shower or bath after spending time outdoors. This allows you to wash away the pollen your body and hair may carry before it contaminates the house;
• Avoid putting clothes out to dry.

If allergic to mildew, it is recommended to:

• Use an air conditionner or filter in the house and car in order to leave windows closed at all times and keep mildew from coming inside;
• Wear a mask during certain tasks like picking up dead leaves or working with compost or earth;
• Clean sinks, showers, and garbage bins with a mixture of water and bleach, in equal parts, in order to kill bacteria and mildew;
• Avoid using a hot or cold vapour humidifier. If this device is necessary, clean it at least once a week.
• Repair all water leaks in the house;
• Maintain the house’s humidity level between 40 and 45%, no more;
• Avoid indoor plants.

If allergic to dust mites or dust, it is recommended to:

• Avoid carpeting in the bedroom and other important rooms;
• Opt for wood, leather, or plastic furniture;
• Avoid vacuuming or making the bed. Ask someone to help you with these tasks, if possible;
• Use a vacuum with a double filtration system;
• Maintain indoor humidity between 40 and 45%;
• Avoid using a hot or cold vapour humidifier. If this device is necessary, clean it at least once a week;
• Use dust mite covers with zippers to cover mattresses and pillows;
• Wash sheets in hot water (60°C) at least every 2 weeks (ideally, each week). Only hot water can kill dust mites;
• Avoid plush and dry flowers, especially in the bedroom, because they carry dust;
• Avoid venitian blinds and opt for shades.

If allergic to pets, it is recommended to:

• Get rid of the culprit pet.

If that is not possible:

• Keep the pet in a room that does not have carpeting and outside of the bedroom at all times;
• Wash cats weekly. However, know that there is no proof that this method will efficiently ease your symptoms;
• Place the liter box in a place that is not close to the house’s air vents.

Furthermore, for all types of allergies, it is recommended to quit smoking and avoid cigarette smoke inside the house and car.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to avoid all contacts with the allergen. Such is the case for dust or pollen allergies, allergens that we cannot control.

Can Allergies Be Treated?

When the above recommendations are not sufficient to relieve or prevent allergies, or when the symptoms prevent you from sleeping or functionning normally, medication can be used to help. The most efficacious drugs to treat allergy symptoms are antihistamines. They block the body’s histamine, that chemical substance that is responsible for allergy symptoms. Antihistamines all have the same efficacy level. What differentiates them from one another are the relief duration and adverse reactions. Depending on the product, relief can last from 4 to 24 hours. Some products may cause dry mouth and drowsiness. It is therefore important to avoid taking them if you have to drive a vehicle or must take part in an activity that requires alertness. Antihistamines cannot be used by everyone. If you suffer from an enlarged prostate, asthma, or glaucoma, it is important that you consult your pharmacist before taking these products. The same warning applies to pregnant or breastfeeding women, of any person who has a pre-existing health condition.

If congestion symptoms are too severe, it is also possible to use a decongestant. These products are available in the form of sprays or tablets. As sprays, they can cause adverse reactions like nose irritation or dryness. Since they can be habit-forming, they should not be used for more than 2 to 3 days at a time. It is therefore best to choose long-lasting formulas. When you choose a decongestant in the form of tablets, the possible adverse reactions are palpitations, nausea, headaches, and insomnia. Like antihistamines, not everyone can use decongestants: people suffering from high blood pressure, heart diseases, thyroid disorders, prostate enlargement, diabetes, glaucoma, or other health disorder, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is best that these individuals consult a pharmacist before using medication of any sort. If you already take medication, you should also consult your pharmacist before taking a decongestant because it can interact with your regular medication. 

When these over-the-counter products can no longer help relieve allergy symptoms, a physician should be consulted. A cortisone nasal spray could be prescribed to alleviate and manage nasal symptoms (runny nose and congestion), and eye drops to relieve itchy eyes.

Your physician could also prescribed injections that help fight certain allergies. Ask your doctor for more information. Remember that although there is no real cure for allergies, they can be managed efficiently.
 

What is the allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal or present throughout the year. Seasonal allergic rhinitis normally starts with spring and ends in the fall. Allergens that cause it are most often pollen, buds, and outdoor mold. Annual allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that are present throughout the year, such as pet hair or feathers, dust, mites, mildew, or other indoor source. Some people can suffer from seasonal and annual allergic rhinitis at the same time.

No matter the allergen, allergic rhinitis symptoms are the same, whether seasonal or annual: 

• Nasal and sinus congestion;
• Headaches;
• Clear and abundant nasal discharges;
• Sneezing;
• Tearing;
• Red eyes;
• Eye, nose, and throat itching or tingling. 

However, the severity and number of symptoms that a person has can vary from one year to the next. For example, in the case of seasonal allergies, symptoms are usually more severe during hot and dry weather, in the morning, or on windy days.Although allergies are not hereditary, a person has more chances of suffering from allergies when the parents are also affected.

It is possible to prevent allergies by avoiding contact with the allergen. Certain measures can help reduce the allergy sufferer’s exposure to allergens:

If allergic to pollen, it is recommended to:

• Use an air conditionner or filter in the house and car in order to leave windows closed at all times and keep mildew from coming inside;
• Avoid using fans, if possible;
• Opt for outdoor activities during the afternoon since pollen count is at its peak in the morning and lowers in the afternoon;
• Take a shower or bath after spending time outdoors. This allows you to wash away the pollen your body and hair may carry before it contaminates the house;
• Avoid putting clothes out to dry.

If allergic to mildew, it is recommended to:

• Use an air conditionner or filter in the house and car in order to leave windows closed at all times and keep mildew from coming inside;
• Wear a mask during certain tasks like picking up dead leaves or working with compost or earth;
• Clean sinks, showers, and garbage bins with a mixture of water and bleach, in equal parts, in order to kill bacteria and mildew;
• Avoid using a hot or cold vapour humidifier. If this device is necessary, clean it at least once a week.
• Repair all water leaks in the house;
• Maintain the house’s humidity level between 40 and 45%, no more;
• Avoid indoor plants.

If allergic to dust mites or dust, it is recommended to:

• Avoid carpeting in the bedroom and other important rooms;
• Opt for wood, leather, or plastic furniture;
• Avoid vacuuming or making the bed. Ask someone to help you with these tasks, if possible;
• Use a vacuum with a double filtration system;
• Maintain indoor humidity between 40 and 45%;
• Avoid using a hot or cold vapour humidifier. If this device is necessary, clean it at least once a week;
• Use dust mite covers with zippers to cover mattresses and pillows;
• Wash sheets in hot water (60°C) at least every 2 weeks (ideally, each week). Only hot water can kill dust mites;
• Avoid plush and dry flowers, especially in the bedroom, because they carry dust;
• Avoid venitian blinds and opt for shades.

If allergic to pets, it is recommended to:

• Get rid of the culprit pet.

If that is not possible:

• Keep the pet in a room that does not have carpeting and outside of the bedroom at all times;
• Wash cats weekly. However, know that there is no proof that this method will efficiently ease your symptoms;
• Place the liter box in a place that is not close to the house’s air vents.

Furthermore, for all types of allergies, it is recommended to quit smoking and avoid cigarette smoke inside the house and car.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to avoid all contacts with the allergen. Such is the case for dust or pollen allergies, allergens that we cannot control.

When the above recommendations are not sufficient to relieve or prevent allergies, or when the symptoms prevent you from sleeping or functionning normally, medication can be used to help. The most efficacious drugs to treat allergy symptoms are antihistamines. They block the body’s histamine, that chemical substance that is responsible for allergy symptoms. Antihistamines all have the same efficacy level. What differentiates them from one another are the relief duration and adverse reactions. Depending on the product, relief can last from 4 to 24 hours. Some products may cause dry mouth and drowsiness. It is therefore important to avoid taking them if you have to drive a vehicle or must take part in an activity that requires alertness. Antihistamines cannot be used by everyone. If you suffer from an enlarged prostate, asthma, or glaucoma, it is important that you consult your pharmacist before taking these products. The same warning applies to pregnant or breastfeeding women, of any person who has a pre-existing health condition.

If congestion symptoms are too severe, it is also possible to use a decongestant. These products are available in the form of sprays or tablets. As sprays, they can cause adverse reactions like nose irritation or dryness. Since they can be habit-forming, they should not be used for more than 2 to 3 days at a time. It is therefore best to choose long-lasting formulas. When you choose a decongestant in the form of tablets, the possible adverse reactions are palpitations, nausea, headaches, and insomnia. Like antihistamines, not everyone can use decongestants: people suffering from high blood pressure, heart diseases, thyroid disorders, prostate enlargement, diabetes, glaucoma, or other health disorder, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women. It is best that these individuals consult a pharmacist before using medication of any sort. If you already take medication, you should also consult your pharmacist before taking a decongestant because it can interact with your regular medication. 

When these over-the-counter products can no longer help relieve allergy symptoms, a physician should be consulted. A cortisone nasal spray could be prescribed to alleviate and manage nasal symptoms (runny nose and congestion), and eye drops to relieve itchy eyes.

Your physician could also prescribed injections that help fight certain allergies. Ask your doctor for more information. Remember that although there is no real cure for allergies, they can be managed efficiently.