A man went to see his doctor because he was suffering from recurrent cold. His doctor prescribed some pills, but they didn't help. On his next visit the doctor gave him a shot, but that didn't do any good.On his third visit the doctor told the man to go home and take a hot bath. As soon as he was finished bathing he was to throw open all the windows and stands in the draft. "But doc," protested the patient, "if I do that, I'll get pneumonia."
"I know," said his physician. "I can cure pneumonia."
This best illustrates the point that allergic rhinitis, and all the other types of allergies, really can't be totally treated. Since the trait is innate, it runs in your blood, and as long as you are exposed to an 'allergen', a reaction is inevitable.
I am seeing more and more patients with this condition so I decided to post a topic regarding it. I hope that those who experience it but haven't seen the doctor yet will be 'educated' with this.
Allergic rhinitis (also called “hay fever”) happens when you breathe in something you are allergic to, and the inside of your nose becomes inflammed or swollen. Signs of allergic rhinitis are similar to signs of a common cold. But, unlike common cold symptoms,allergic rhinitis can last for more than 8-10 days and may include:
• A stuffy nose or a runny nose.
• Sneezing.
• Itchy nose, itchy eyes or watery eyes.
• Children who have alllergic rhinitis might have dark circles under their eyes, or use the palm of their hand to push their nose up as they try to stop the itching (called the“allergic salute”).
• Coughing caused by clear mucus running down the back of your throat.
Allergic rhinitis is caused by things that trigger allergies, called allergens. These allergens can be found both outdoors and indoors. When allergic rhinitis is caused by common outdoor allergens— such as mold or trees, grass and weed pollens—it is often referred to as seasonal allergies, or “hay fever.”
Allergic rhinitis may also be triggered by allergens that are in your house, such as animal dander(tiny skin flakes and saliva), indoor mold, or the droppings of cockroaches or house dust mites—tiny creatures found in the home.
The best treatment for allergic rhinitis is to avoid the allergen. When this is not possible, medication like antihistamines, decongestants, antiallergy nasal spray, corticosteroids,and allergy immunotherapy, can usually control the symptoms of the reaction.
The most effective way to manage allergic rhinitis is to avoid allergens that cause symptoms, or make them worse.You can change some things in your house that might make your symptoms better:
If you are allergic to warm-blooded animals, confine your pet to a particular area of your home. It is especially important to keep warm-blooded pets out of the bedroom. If the effects on your health are severe, consider giving your pet away.
Avoid pollen by using air conditioning, by avoiding outside activity during pollen season, and by timing your vacations away from home to benefit your health.
Check the material from which your pillows and comforters are made. Feathers, foam rubber, or pillows more than five years old are often allergens.
Avoid dust and mold. Since this is difficult and it may be impractical for you to create an "allergy-proof" home, at least make sure your bedroom is as allergen-free as possible:
- move out all unnecessary furniture
- keep windows tightly shut
- frequently clean the curtains, blinds, bedding and carpeting
- use pillows and comforters stuffed with dacron or polyester
- enclose mattresses and box springs in plastic
- cover or filter all
- move out decorative pillows, books, and stuffed animals
- keep the floors bare
- use dusting products formulated to hold the dust
- store clothing so dust will not settle on it
- never sweep - use a vacuum only
These tips may also decrease the severity of your allergic reaction and for increasing your comfort:
- Maintain a balanced diet to improve your body's ability to heal itself.
- Sleep with your head elevated to prevent nasal congestion during the night.
- Drink adequate fluids (eight 8-ounce glasses per day) to loosen the secretions in your nose and throat.
- Exercise regularly
"I know," said his physician. "I can cure pneumonia."
This best illustrates the point that allergic rhinitis, and all the other types of allergies, really can't be totally treated. Since the trait is innate, it runs in your blood, and as long as you are exposed to an 'allergen', a reaction is inevitable.
I am seeing more and more patients with this condition so I decided to post a topic regarding it. I hope that those who experience it but haven't seen the doctor yet will be 'educated' with this.
Allergic rhinitis (also called “hay fever”) happens when you breathe in something you are allergic to, and the inside of your nose becomes inflammed or swollen. Signs of allergic rhinitis are similar to signs of a common cold. But, unlike common cold symptoms,allergic rhinitis can last for more than 8-10 days and may include:
• A stuffy nose or a runny nose.
• Sneezing.
• Itchy nose, itchy eyes or watery eyes.
• Children who have alllergic rhinitis might have dark circles under their eyes, or use the palm of their hand to push their nose up as they try to stop the itching (called the“allergic salute”).
• Coughing caused by clear mucus running down the back of your throat.
Allergic rhinitis is caused by things that trigger allergies, called allergens. These allergens can be found both outdoors and indoors. When allergic rhinitis is caused by common outdoor allergens— such as mold or trees, grass and weed pollens—it is often referred to as seasonal allergies, or “hay fever.”
Allergic rhinitis may also be triggered by allergens that are in your house, such as animal dander(tiny skin flakes and saliva), indoor mold, or the droppings of cockroaches or house dust mites—tiny creatures found in the home.
The best treatment for allergic rhinitis is to avoid the allergen. When this is not possible, medication like antihistamines, decongestants, antiallergy nasal spray, corticosteroids,and allergy immunotherapy, can usually control the symptoms of the reaction.
The most effective way to manage allergic rhinitis is to avoid allergens that cause symptoms, or make them worse.You can change some things in your house that might make your symptoms better:
If you are allergic to warm-blooded animals, confine your pet to a particular area of your home. It is especially important to keep warm-blooded pets out of the bedroom. If the effects on your health are severe, consider giving your pet away.
Avoid pollen by using air conditioning, by avoiding outside activity during pollen season, and by timing your vacations away from home to benefit your health.
Check the material from which your pillows and comforters are made. Feathers, foam rubber, or pillows more than five years old are often allergens.
Avoid dust and mold. Since this is difficult and it may be impractical for you to create an "allergy-proof" home, at least make sure your bedroom is as allergen-free as possible:
- move out all unnecessary furniture
- keep windows tightly shut
- frequently clean the curtains, blinds, bedding and carpeting
- use pillows and comforters stuffed with dacron or polyester
- enclose mattresses and box springs in plastic
- cover or filter all
- move out decorative pillows, books, and stuffed animals
- keep the floors bare
- use dusting products formulated to hold the dust
- store clothing so dust will not settle on it
- never sweep - use a vacuum only
These tips may also decrease the severity of your allergic reaction and for increasing your comfort:
- Maintain a balanced diet to improve your body's ability to heal itself.
- Sleep with your head elevated to prevent nasal congestion during the night.
- Drink adequate fluids (eight 8-ounce glasses per day) to loosen the secretions in your nose and throat.
- Exercise regularly
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