Allergic Rhinitis:
Lets first understand rhinitis. Rhinitis is an inflammation or uncomfortable feeling in the nose. This uncomfortable feeling results in building up of mucus, running nose, sneezing, or even fever. So allergic rhinitis is when sneezing, or this uncomfortable feeling is due to a certain external component. In this type of allergy, the nose overreacts to some external material. This is also known as hay fever. Further, there are various triggers to this. They include pollen, pet hair, thread, dust, carpets, or any things to which a person is allergic.
1-Seasonal: This happens in the spring season or late summer or even in fall through pollen distribution. Pollen is a small powder which comes from a flowering plant. It is responsible for the reproduction of the plant. Trees, grass or weed pollens are mostly responsible for the allergy because these move through wind whereas pollen of a flower is less harmful as these are carried by insects or animals.
2-Perennial: It is a continuously recurring allergy that remains for a long time, causing nasal congestion and a runny nose. Its causes are different. The most common cause is dust along with pet hair. It can be in any season and anywhere. This allergy is more prone to boys in childhood than girls whereas the gender difference vanishes when it comes to adults.
Read Our More Detailed Article: Food Allergies: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Nonallergic Rhinitis:
It is usually thought that this disease is typically due to some allergy. However, in some cases, it is without any apparent reason. Such disease is known as nonallergic rhinitis. It can be anything in the atmosphere. In some cases, it is due to change in weather. Sometimes, it is due to medications or chronic health disease. This type of allergy is treatable through medication. It has two forms. Symptoms of nonallergic diseases are the same.
How is it different from an allergic one? It is different as it has nothing to do with the immunity system. In reality, it is not one disease; it may have more than one reason underlying.
Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms:
There are several symptoms of this disease. Some people may have more than one at a time. The symptoms are usually obvious as soon as a person is in contact with allergens. Common symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Running nose
- Running eyes
- Headaches
- Dark circles
- Hives
- Fatigue
Allergic Rhinitis Treatment:
The best treatment of allergic rhinitis is to avoid exposure to pollens. However, it can be done by wearing glasses when leaving home. Don`t hang clothes outside, as they may carry pollen. Use dehumidifier as it will leave spaces dry. Keep your conditioning unit clean. Use special pollen masks when leaving home. Clean furniture and floor with damp clothes. Don`t rub your eyes extensively; it will only worsen the situation. Avoid gardening, walking in natural areas.
There are some situations or professions in which avoiding triggers completely is not possible. In these situations, doctors have medications to offer. They can be nasal sprays, oral tablets, liquid intake, or eye drops. These medicines may have side effects. As in some medicines may contain steroids which have a long list of side effects. So always discuss side effects with your doctors. Always follow your doctor`s instructions.
Chronic Rhinitis:
Chronic usually means persistingly long term. Rhinitis can be for a short time or longer period (known as constant). So chronic rhinitis is the rhinitis in which continues for a long time. In this, symptom repeat for a year or more. It is common conditions, and sometimes reasons for it are unidentifiable. Actual triggers are unavoidable; the specific allergy is not known. It can be due to postnasal drip, causing sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. It can be classified into allergic and non-allergic chronic rhinitis, according to the basic cause of it.
Vasomotor Rhinitis:
Vaso means blood vessel and motor means involving nerves. So vasomotor rhinitis is nonallergic rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis is a repetitive one without any apparent reason. About 10% of the population suffers from vasomotor rhinitis. Symptoms of vasomotor includes fit of sneezing, large watery discharge from the nose, nasally congested mucus. In this, a person is hypersensitive towards dust, odors, dry atmosphere, weather change, pollution, spicy food, and medication. Change in temperature can be the reason too. Moreover, it is not due to any other allergy. It is not easy to diagnose, to identify it; one has to record all the previous history and examination of the nose and throat. Even a CT scan is done for its diagnosis. Its treatment includes
- Normal saline nasal douches
- Drug therapy
- Nasal steroids
- Surgery
Atrophic Rhinitis:
Atrophic rhinitis is the condition in which thick dry crust is formed in the large nasal cavity. It is due to a decrease in the size of the nasal mucous lining and underlying nasal lining. There are various symptoms of atrophic rhinitis.
- Anosmia
- Crusting
- Nose bleed
- Footer
- Frequent upper respiratory infection.
Atrophic rhinitis can be primary, or it can be secondary. Primary rhinitis doesn`t have any prior condition. It can be due to genetics, poor nutrition, environmental factors, and many others. Secondary ar is due to some known condition. It can be surgery or radiations.
Pregnancy Rhinitis
Pregnancy rhinitis is the rhinitis which affects pregnant women. This rhinitis continues for at least six weeks or even more. It attacks in the first trimester initially and then at the end of pregnancy. It vanishes after delivering the baby. Almost 18 to 42 percents of the mother will experience rhinitis. Saline washes are the best solution for pregnancy rhinitis.
Gustatory Rhinitis:
Gustatory rhinitis is the kind of nonallergic rhinitis. It is running nose due to intake of some specific food. Spices are the main reason; cold beverages can be the reason too. It is the excretion of thin nasal discharge while eating that food. The symptoms soon disappear after 10 minutes or when you stop eating that triggering food.
Conclusion:
Rhinitis is the common condition, or we may call it symptoms of allergy. It is common. There can be solutions; however, we should avoid trigger as much as possible. Ginger is another herb which is best for its treatment. However, medication should be avoided.