Popular Science - Allergic Rhinitis

"If you are lucky enough to live in Jinan in spring, then no matter where you go in your life, pollen, sandstorms, and flying catkins will always be with you, because allergies are a moveable feast."

1. What is allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa induced by allergens and mediated by IgE. Common clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis:

1. Sneezing: Several times a day, in paroxysmal attacks, more than three sneeze per time, mostly in the morning, at night, or immediately after contact with allergens.

2. Clear nasal discharge: A large amount of clear watery nasal discharge may sometimes drip from the nostrils unconsciously.

3. Nasal congestion: intermittent or continuous, unilateral or bilateral, with varying degrees of severity.

4. Itchy nose: Most patients experience itching in the nose. Patients with hay fever may also experience itchy eyes, ears, and throat.

2. What factors cause allergic rhinitis?

1. Environmental factors: Many substances can cause human allergies, such as mites, animal hair and dandruff, mold, pollen, etc.

2. Genetic factors: If one or both parents have allergy-related diseases, their children are more likely to develop allergies.

3. Why is allergic rhinitis mild during the day and severe in the morning and evening?

1. It may be directly related to allergens. Because you have cats and dogs at home, you will be exposed to them when you get home from get off work at night, and the symptoms will be more obvious.

2. The vagus nerve tension is high at night, making nasal congestion and runny nose more likely.

3. The problem of temperature difference between day and night. Generally, we are more sensitive in cold environments or when the temperature changes.

4. What are the common allergens?

1. Inhaled allergens: such as mites, pollen, fungi, insects and animal hair and dander.

2. Food allergens: such as milk, peanuts, seafood, nuts and eggs.

3. Other factors: cold air, formaldehyde, etc.

5. How to detect allergens?

At this time, we need to conduct allergen testing to identify the allergens. Serological testing and skin prick testing are commonly used methods of allergen testing. Only when the allergens are identified can more targeted treatment be provided.

6. What will happen if allergic rhinitis is not treated for a long time?

If you have allergic rhinitis, if you leave it alone or do not treat it properly, it may cause complications, such as allergic asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, sinusitis, nasal polyps, secretory otitis media, mouth breathing, upper respiratory tract infection, etc. Once complications occur, the patient's life will be more affected. Therefore, allergic rhinitis must be treated promptly and in a standardized manner.

7. What should I do if I have allergic rhinitis?

1. Avoid contact with allergens: Try to avoid contact with substances that cause allergic symptoms in your daily life.

2. Drug treatment: Use drugs to relieve the discomfort caused by allergic attacks, such as corticosteroids, antihistamines, anti-leukotrienes, chromones, nasal decongestants, etc.

3. Desensitization treatment: If the relevant examinations meet the desensitization criteria, desensitization treatment can be performed to better control the condition. Common desensitization methods include sublingual and subcutaneous.

Spring is the season when pollen is concentrated. Many herbs (such as wormwood and ragweed) transmit pollen at this time. In autumn, the weather is clear and cool, and allergens are more likely to be suspended in the air and drift around. In addition, the human nasal mucosa becomes sensitive and fragile due to dryness, so autumn is the peak season for allergic rhinitis. For patients with allergic rhinitis, we can check the allergens, find the specific allergens, and perform desensitization treatment. Only by treating both the symptoms and the root causes can the condition be effectively controlled.

At present, Shandong Provincial Public Health Clinical Center can provide more comprehensive allergen testing, with up to 31 allergen items. For patients with clear allergens and desensitization drugs, they can go to Hainan Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone to receive internationally advanced drug treatment. (Author: Tang Wei)