What department should I go to for allergic rhinitis?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Allergic rhinitis is recommended to consult an otorhinolaryngology department. Currently, allergic rhinitis is mainly due to an imbalance in one's own immune system, which, upon contact with external allergens, triggers an allergic reaction in the body. It is a relatively common nasal disease, hence the recommendation to visit an otorhinolaryngology department. Regarding examinations, allergen testing and nasal endoscopy are required. The main purpose is to identify the relevant allergens and to determine the presence of any neoplasms in the nasal and nasopharyngeal areas, such as nasal polyps. In terms of treatment, it primarily involves medication. Currently, the treatment mainly considers the use of oral medications and nasal spray medications for allergy treatment. Additionally, the use of saline to rinse the nasal cavity can be considered, along with regular follow-ups. However, overall, most patients with allergic rhinitis focus on controlling the condition, as it is difficult to completely cure.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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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.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to completely cure allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis currently has many treatment methods, but overall, only a minority of patients can be completely cured; most patients focus primarily on controlling symptoms and alleviating the condition. At present, the main treatment method for allergic rhinitis is medication. If it's purely a mite allergy and there are no other allergens, desensitization treatment can be considered. Currently, this involves subcutaneous injections or sublingual immunotherapy. Overall, about 60% to 70% of patients can achieve a complete cure with this treatment. However, for other allergies or those that cannot be identified, the focus is primarily on control and relief; it is very difficult to achieve a complete cure with either medication or surgery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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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.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to treat allergic rhinitis?

The treatment of allergic rhinitis is currently mainly divided into three categories: The first category is pharmacotherapy, the second is desensitization therapy, and the third is surgical treatment. Pharmacotherapy generally focuses on nasal sprays and oral medications, which are targeted anti-allergy treatments. This method primarily controls and stabilizes the symptoms but is unlikely to provide a cure. Desensitization therapy is mainly suitable for patients who are solely allergic to mites. Some patients may achieve a cure after undergoing desensitization therapy. Surgical treatment can also be considered, but it is not the first choice. It is mainly used for patients who do not respond well to conservative medication and have particularly severe symptoms. In such cases, surgery might be considered because, whether through pharmacotherapy or surgical treatment, most patients aim primarily to control the disease rather than achieving a cure. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
49sec home-news-image

How to completely cure allergic rhinitis?

For allergic rhinitis, most patients mainly focus on controlling and stabilizing the condition, and only a small portion of them can be completely cured, mainly those who are solely allergic to mites. It is advisable to first undergo allergy testing. If the test results show only a simple mite allergy, and the allergic reaction is severe (exceeding three levels), desensitization treatment could be considered. Currently, this mainly involves sublingual immunotherapy or subcutaneous injections. Most patients can achieve clinical cure with this treatment; however, a minority may only experience relief without achieving complete cure. Overall, for allergic rhinitis, most patients cannot be completely cured. (Use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)