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Allergic rhinitis
Is allergic rhinitis easy to treat?
Allergic rhinitis is a relatively common disease in otolaryngology, and overall, its treatment is quite simple. Most patients consider pharmacotherapy, primarily consisting of oral medications and nasal sprays, which are targeted anti-allergy treatments. After pharmacological treatment, most patients can effectively control their condition and alleviate symptoms. However, in general, allergic rhinitis is mainly managed rather than cured, as curing it is quite difficult. It is advisable to undergo allergen testing and avoid contact with allergens in daily life as much as possible. For patients who are solely allergic to mites, there is an opportunity for desensitization therapy, which can potentially cure a portion of patients. Nevertheless, whether through pharmacotherapy or desensitization therapy, a large number of patients cannot be completely cured. Therefore, the focus is mainly on controlling and stabilizing the condition. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)
Difference between Allergic Rhinitis and Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis and rhinitis are issues of a specific concept versus a broader concept. Allergic rhinitis is a type of rhinitis caused by a hypersensitivity reaction, which is an allergic response of the body leading to inflammation of the nasal passages. Rhinitis, however, includes allergic rhinitis as well as chronic rhinitis, hypertrophic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, atrophic rhinitis, etc. Thus, it's a matter of differentiating between a more specific and a general concept. Clinically, it is particularly important to differentiate their diagnosis and treatment. For example, the primary treatment for allergic rhinitis is anti-allergy medication, whereas treatments for conditions like chronic and atrophic rhinitis are completely different. Therefore, it is crucial to differentiate these accurately in clinical practice to ensure the correct medication is used.
How to check for allergens in allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis can be screened for allergens. Currently, allergy testing is mainly conducted through two methods. The first method is blood testing, and the second method is a skin prick test. Blood testing is more commonly used and typically involves various allergens, such as dust, pollen, pets, hair, and it could also be due to allergies to seafood or mold, plants. Both skin prick tests and blood tests can be used. If one method does not provide sufficiently clear results, both types of allergen tests can be performed simultaneously for a more accurate comparison.
Allergic rhinitis should be seen in the department of otolaryngology.
It is recommended to see an otolaryngologist for allergic rhinitis, as it is a relatively common nasal disease. The clinical symptoms include an itchy nose, runny clear nasal discharge, and frequent sneezing. Regarding treatment, it mainly involves oral medications and nasal sprays, specifically targeted anti-allergy treatments, and allergen screening can also be conducted. In daily life, it is necessary to avoid contact with allergens as much as possible. For patients who are solely allergic to mites, desensitization treatments can be considered, which may effectively cure the condition in some patients, although individual differences exist.
What are the allergens of allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is a relatively common otolaryngological disease with various clinical symptoms. The most common symptoms include itchy nose, clear nasal discharge, and sneezing. It is advisable to consider allergen testing. Common allergens in clinical settings include seafood, cats, dogs, pollen, and there may also be dust, mugwort, and pigweed. There is generally significant individual variation, and clear identification can be acquired through skin prick tests or blood tests. Once identified, it is necessary to avoid contact with the allergens in daily life as much as possible. Additionally, if the clinical symptoms are severe, it may be necessary to combine oral medications and nasal sprays for targeted treatment.
Causes of Mite Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis caused by mites is a common ailment in daily life, often occurring in southern regions, with over 90% being allergic to dust mites. Allergens can be identified through allergen tests. Patients with allergic rhinitis often experience a series of symptoms such as nasal itchiness, runny nose, and sneezing. After confirming an allergy to dust mites, it is important to frequently wash and sun-dry bedding in daily life, keep bed hygiene products clean, and prevent mite breeding that triggers allergic rhinitis. If an allergic rhinitis episode occurs, the patient can use steroid nasal sprays and oral antiallergic medications to control the onset of allergic rhinitis. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)
How to treat allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis refers to a pathological reactive disease of the nasal cavity caused by an allergy to certain substances. The main clinical treatments for allergic rhinitis include the following points: First, it is essential to avoid contact with the allergens that cause allergic rhinitis as much as possible. Second, medication treatment is implemented, mainly antiallergic drugs such as loratadine and cetirizine. Additionally, local use of corticosteroid nasal sprays is used for treatment. Third, specific desensitization treatment can be carried out, mainly for mite allergies. Fourth, some surgical interventions can be performed, such as surgery to correct the nasal framework and turbinate reduction treatment for enlarged inferior turbinates, or corrective treatment for a deviated nasal septum. These treatments are auxiliary and help improve allergic rhinitis but are not direct treatments for the condition. (Medication usage should be based on specific circumstances and under the guidance of a doctor.)
How to Diagnose Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is a common and frequently occurring disease clinically. The definite diagnosis of allergic rhinitis primarily relies on the following points: First, the medical history, such as a history of living in an allergenic environment or a family history, along with a past history of the condition. Second, the clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis, such as rhinitis, paroxysmal sneezing, a large amount of clear watery nasal discharge, and upon nasal examination, the nasal mucosa appears pale and swollen with clear watery discharge present in the nasal cavity. Additionally, supportive examinations can reveal an increase in eosinophils or lymphocytes in the complete blood count, or the detection of allergens, and specific IgE tests, etc. With these medical histories, clinical symptom manifestations, and supportive examinations, allergic rhinitis can be definitively diagnosed.
"What is allergic rhinitis allergic to?"
Allergic rhinitis is a type of pathological reactive disease that occurs in the nasal area. The allergens of allergic rhinitis usually require examination, and there are many methods of examination, such as skin prick tests, hat tests, etc. According to the epidemiological survey of allergens for allergic rhinitis, the main allergens include allergies to dust mites, pollen, and ragweed. In the eastern coastal regions, allergies to dust mites are more common, while in the north and west, allergies to ragweed are more frequent. During the spring season, pollen allergies are relatively common.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are numerous. Common clinical symptoms include repetitive itching of the nose, runny nose, and sneezing, which can occur consecutively several times and are directly triggered by contact with allergens. Common allergens include dust, pollen, seafood, and pets. If the allergic reaction is severe, contact with these allergens can quickly trigger the aforementioned clinical symptoms, characterized by sudden onset of nose itching, clear nasal discharge, and sneezing. In terms of treatment, oral medications and nasal sprays are primarily used. A small portion of patients might consider desensitization therapy or surgical treatment, but it is generally difficult to achieve a complete cure.