Allergic Rhinitis
Also known as hay fever, allergic rhinitis is the most common type of allergic reaction. If it is caused by outdoor irritants, such as pollen from trees or grasses, it is labeled a seasonal allergy. When it's triggered by things that are present year-round, allergic rhinitis is designated as perennial. This type of allergy is generally caused by indoor irritants, such as pet dander (dandruff-like material that collects in the animal's fur), dust mites (tiny insects that live in pillows and other soft goods in your house), mold, and cockroach droppings.
Typical Symptoms
Rhinitis — which means “inflammation of the nose” — occurs when the nasal membranes become irritated and start producing excessive mucus. Mucus is the fluid produced naturally to trap dust and other particles in the nose and keep them out of the lungs; it's usually thin and barely noticeable as it drains down the back of your throat. In a case of rhinitis, mucus becomes thick and plentiful — clogging things up and draining quite noticeably out the front of your nose. Plain old rhinitis is the stuffiness you get with a cold (this is called infectious rhinitis). Allergic rhinitis is what happens when you encounter an allergen.
How can I tell if I have a cold or allergies?
Sometimes, it can be tough to tell. But generally speaking, you'll know it's an allergic reaction by your nose (allergies produce clear mucus; colds and flu create yellowish discharge), your temperature (allergies won't produce a fever), and the duration of your symptoms (colds and flu clear up within about a week, while allergies disappear as soon as the trigger is gone — and hang around as long as the allergen does).
Pharmaceutical Treatments
The most popular conventional treatments for allergic rhinitis are overthe-counter (OTC) decongestants and antihistamines. Decongestants treat congestion by constricting the blood vessels in the nasal cavities, thereby reducing the amount of mucus that gets into your nose. Antihistamines block the actions of histamine, thereby relieving your runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing.
For mild to moderate symptoms, your doctor might suggest OTC decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or short-acting antihistamines, like OTC loratadine (Claritin) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Your doctor might also prescribe longer-acting antihistamines, like fexofenadine (Allegra) and Cetirizine (Zyrtec), as well as a nasal spray, azelastine (Astelin).
Some doctors recommend an OTC spray, cromolyn sodium (Nasal-Crom), which is a mast cell stabilizer that prevents the release of histamine.
Another type of nasal allergy treatment, immunotherapy (or allergy shots), is used to desensitize you to allergens. In immunotherapy, you'll be given a series of injections, each containing a slightly higher dose of the allergen that's causing your problems.
For cases that don't respond to decongestants and antihistamines, some doctors prescribe a leukotriene inhibitor, such as montelukast (Singulair), which blocks the substances that trigger allergic (and asthmatic) responses. Other pharmaceuticals used to treat serious allergies are corticosteroids, including skin creams and nasal sprays such as fluticasone (Flonase) and mometasone (Nasonex).
Herbal Remedies
If you'd rather skip the drugs (or limit your dependence on them), you can alleviate some of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis with these herbs:
• Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) |
Butterbur is traditionally used to treat allergies, coughs, and congestion (it inhibits both histamine and leukotriene release). Recent research has shown that a butterbur extract is as effective as the drugs cetirizine (Zyrtec) or fexofenadine (Allegra) in treating seasonal nasal allergies. |
• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) |
Echinacea is the go-to remedy for the common cold, and research shows it can lessen the severity of allergic rhinitis, too. |
• Nettle (Urtica dioica) |
Nettle is a classic hay fever remedy throughout Europe. It acts like a mast cell stabilizer to stop runny nose and other allergic rhinitis symptoms. |
• Tinospora (Tinospora cordifolia) |
Also known as guduchi, this is a classic Indian remedy for allergic rhinitis. It's been shown in recent research to provide significant relief from sneezing, itchy eyes, and other symptoms. It also acts as an immunostimulant, making it an effective form of immunotherapy. |
