Do you also get a runny nose when you wake up in the morning? Or do you suddenly start to feel a runny nose when you're dusting your house or walking by a beautiful flower garden? Your nose is stuffy, your eyes are red, and you're itching? You may think that these are just common colds, but perhaps you have a common " cold " that many people have. So let's talk about this very simply and in a friendly way today.

Simply put, what is this pain?

Allergic rhinitis, also known as allergic rhinitis , is an unwanted reaction of our body's immune system. Think about it this way. Things like dust, pollen , pet dander, and mold in our environment are actually harmless to our bodies. However, the body of someone with allergies mistakenly identifies even these harmless things as a big enemy, an invader.

To fight this "enemy", our body cells release a lot of chemicals like `( Histamine )`. This histamine is the main factor responsible for all your annoying symptoms. It is what causes stuffy nose, itchy nose and eyes, watery eyes, and constant sneezing.

Some people may be allergic to more than one thing, and some may have seasonal allergies, while others may have year-round allergies.

What happens to these sinuses?

You've probably heard the word "sinus." Sinuses are the empty air cavities around our nose, in our cheeks, on our forehead, and between our eyes. We also call these the `Paranasal Sinuses.` These cavities are lined with a thin layer of mucus called `Mucous Membrane.`

When you have an allergy, the histamine I mentioned earlier causes these mucous membranes to swell. When this swelling occurs, the pathways for mucus to drain out of the sinus cavities become blocked. Then the mucus and air get trapped inside, causing discomfort such as a stuffy nose, facial pain , and pressure. This is when many people say, "I have sinusitis."

What are the main symptoms of nasal allergies?

Allergy symptoms can vary slightly from person to person, but there are some common symptoms.

How do you know for sure if this is an allergy?

Your doctor can usually determine if it's an allergy by listening to your description of your symptoms and when they occur.

However, if your symptoms are more severe, or if you want to find out exactly what you are allergic to, you may be referred to an allergist. He or she may perform a skin prick test.

Very rarely, a blood test may be done, but blood tests are not as accurate as skin tests for diagnosing nasal allergies.

How is it treated? What do we do about this?

The good news is that nasal allergies can be managed well, and there are a variety of treatments available.

Medicines that can be purchased at a drugstore without a prescription (OTC - Over-the-Counter)

• Antihistamines: These are the most commonly used. These medications block the irritating chemical histamine. `Cetirizine`, `Loratadine`, `Fexofenadine` are the most commonly used types that cause less drowsiness.
• Decongestants: These reduce swelling in the nose and relieve congestion. Pseudoephedrine is one such drug. Some antihistamines are also called decongestants and are often combined with the letter "D" (e.g., Claritin-D).
• Nasal Sprays: Never use decongestant nasal sprays (e.g. Afrin) for more than 3 days at a time. Doing so may worsen nasal congestion.
• Steroid Nasal Sprays: These are the most effective treatments for nasal allergies. Fluticasone and Budesonide are such medications. These reduce the swelling of the nasal mucosa and control the symptoms. These should be used as directed by your doctor.

Prescription Treatments

If OTC medications don't help, your doctor will prescribe you prescription treatment.

• Strong antihistamines like `Desloratadine` and `Levocetirizine`.
• Antihistamine nasal sprays such as `Azelastine`.
• A medicine called `Montelukast` is also sometimes used.
• Immunotherapy: We also call this "Allergy Shots." This is a long-term solution. It involves injecting very small doses of the substance you are allergic to over a period of time. This allows your body to become accustomed to the substance and stop reacting to it. This does not work for everyone, but if it is successful, it can lead to long-term relief after 3-5 years of treatment.

Home care and control methods

In addition to medication, there are many simple things you can do yourself to manage symptoms.

• Nasal Irrigation: Rinsing the inside of the nose with a salt water mixture removes allergens, bacteria, and excess mucus. Very important: Use only boiled, filtered, and clean water for this purpose.
• Controlling the environment: It's best to stay away from things that you're allergic to.
• If you are allergic to dust mites, use special mattress covers for your mattresses and pillows. Wash bedding regularly in hot water.
• If you are allergic to pollen, keep the windows closed during periods of high pollen counts.
• If possible, use an air conditioner or air purifier with a HEPA filter.
• Maintain humidity: If the air is dry, nasal discomfort may increase. In such cases , use a humidifier, take a hot bath, or inhale steam from a bowl of water.
• Protection: Wear a mask when cleaning houses or gardens.

Nasal Allergies, Allergic Rhinitis, Sneezing, Nasal Congestion, Cold, Allergy, Antihistamine, Decongestant, Steroid Nasal Spray, Sinus, Histamine