ear, nose, and throat disorders
Rhinitis
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is caused by a reaction of the body’s Overview of the Immune System to an environmental trigger. The most common environmental triggers include dust, molds, pollens, grasses, trees, and animals. Both Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include itching, sneezing, runny nose, stuffiness, and itchy, watery eyes. People may have headaches and swollen eyelids and also may cough and wheeze. A doctor may diagnose allergic rhinitis based on a person’s history of symptoms. Often, the person has a family history of allergies. More detailed information may be obtained from blood tests or skin testing. The following treatments can help avoid or treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis: Avoiding the substance that triggers the allergyprevents symptoms but is often not possible. Nasal corticosteroid spraysdecrease nasal inflammation caused by many sources and are relatively safe for long-term use. Antihistamineshelp prevent the allergic reaction and thus symptoms. Older antihistamines dry the mucous membrane of the nose, but many of them also cause sleepiness and other problems, especially in older people. Some newer ones require a prescription but do not have as many of these side effects. Asaltwater solutionflushed through the nose via a squeeze bottle or a bulb syringe (nasal irrigation) or using a saltwater spray as needed also can help symptoms. Desensitization injectionsthat contain small amounts of the substance that triggers the allergy (called desensitization immunotherapy, or sometimes allergy shots) help to build long-term tolerance to specific environmental triggers, but they may take months or years to become fully effective. Antibiotics do not relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. 