Should I treat an allergic runny nose?
Allergy and runny nose caused by various allergens are often not perceived as a serious problem. Unfortunately, many people still think that special treatment is not required in this situation. In fact, both allergic reactions and allergic rhinitis (the medical name – rhinitis) cause serious impairment in the immune system. Allergy is named by the World Health Organization as one of the leading factors in the development of bronchial asthma. In addition, the allergic rhinitis sharply worsens the quality of human life: constant secretions from the nose, tearing, sneezing reduce performance, interfere with full enjoyment of life, etc.
Why is an allergic runny nose?
The most common during the warm season is seasonal allergic rhinitis, which is caused by the response to pollen of flowering plants (pollinosis). Also allergic rhinitis is quite common, which can be manifested not depending on the time of year: when in contact with the hair of animals, household dust, various chemical compounds contained in the air, etc. In the development of this disease, hereditary predisposition to allergic diseases is of key importance.
If your close relatives are ill or have bronchial asthma, allergic urticaria, various skin allergic reactions, then the risk of developing allergic rhinitis increases. Of course it is possible and necessary to try to limit contact with allergens (if you generally know what exactly provokes you runny nose and other allergic reactions – rash and itching of the skin, lacrimation, sneezing, nasal congestion), try to maintain cleanliness indoors, but this is not always possible. . However, permanent nasal congestion may also be caused by anatomical features that have been transmitted by infectious diseases of the respiratory organs, ill-treated self-medication, which only aggravated the problem. Therefore, only a specialist can return you a normal breath and help forget about the problem.
What is the risk of untreated allergic rhinitis
Most people with allergic rhinitis can get the disease on their own, and they turn to the doctor when they are already “coughed up”. A serious complication, which leads to ignoring allergic reactions, is bronchial asthma. Also, allergic rhinitis without proper treatment leads to the development of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses (sinusitis), also according to medical statistics, in half of patients with allergic rhinitis, in the absence of treatment, allergic conjunctivitis develops; as a result, the incapacity decreases sharply.
Long-term untreated rhinitis promotes the formation of polyps in the mucous membrane of the nose, which further complicates respiration and contributes to the complicated flow of colds. If you are constantly worried about the above symptoms, then you should seek advice from an allergist, as well as an examination by an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor). Since the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and the successful treatment of it must be multifaceted and complex, the therapy is carried out by two specialists.
Treatment and diagnosis of allergic rhinitis
An important point in the treatment of allergic rhinitis is the detection of an allergen. Assign allergic tests to assess the local allergen reaction, blood test for immunoglobulins – specific antibodies, which helps to identify the cause of allergic rhinitis. Also, the doctor will, if necessary, appoint a study of the paranasal sinuses – X-rays. The selection of medical treatment depends on the type of allergen detected (or several), the age of the patient, the severity of the symptoms, the presence of concomitant diseases and / or pathologies, etc.
