What department should I go to for allergic rhinitis?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on August 31, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
1min 3sec home-news-image

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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
1min 5sec home-news-image

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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 6sec home-news-image

Differences between Allergic Rhinitis and the Common Cold

The differences between allergic rhinitis and the common cold are very clear. Allergic rhinitis lasts longer and causes patients to experience sudden bouts of sneezing in the morning, continuous clear nasal discharge, bilateral nasal congestion, and also includes symptoms such as itchy eyes and nasal issues. On the other hand, the common cold generally lasts for a shorter period and is usually caused by a virus or bacteria due to lowered immunity, leading to both systemic and local symptoms. Patients with a cold may experience fever, dizziness, headache, muscle weakness, muscle soreness, nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, and coughing. In terms of treatment, allergic rhinitis requires symptomatic anti-allergy treatment, while the common cold needs symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment and generally improves gradually over about a week, whereas allergic rhinitis requires a longer process.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
40sec home-news-image

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.