ALLERGIC RHINTIS
An allergen is an otherwise harmless substance that causes an allergic reaction. Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is an allergic response to specific allergens. Pollen is the most common allergen in seasonal allergic rhinitis. These are allergy symptoms that occur with the change of seasons.Nearly 8 percent of adults in the United States experience allergic rhinitis of some kind, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Between 10 and 30 percent of the worldwide population may also have allergic rhinitis.
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:SneezingRunny noseStuffy noseItchy noseCoughingSoar or scratchy throatItchy eyesWatery eyesDark circles under the eyesFrequent headachesEczema-type symptoms, such as having extremely dry, itchy skin that can blister and weepHivesExcessive fatigueYou’ll usually feel one or more of these symptoms immediately after coming into contact with an allergen. Some symptoms, such as recurrent headaches and fatigue, may only happen after long-term exposure to allergens. Fever isn’t a symptom of hay fever.Some people experience symptoms only rarely. This likely occurs when you’re exposed to allergens in large quantities. Other people experience symptoms all year long. Talk to your doctor about possible allergies if your symptoms last for more than a few weeks and don’t seem to be improving.
CAUSES
When your body comes into contact with an allergen, it releases histamine, which is a natural chemical that defends your body from the allergen. This chemical can cause allergic rhinitis and its symptoms, including a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.In addition to tree pollen, other common allergens include:Grass pollenDust mitesAnimal dander, which is old skinCat salivaMoldDuring certain times of the year, pollen can be especially problematic. Tree and flower pollens are more common in the spring. Grasses and weeds produce more pollen in the summer and fall.TYPESThe two types of allergic rhinitis are seasonal and perennial.Seasonal allergies usually occur during the spring and fall season and are typically in response to outdoor allergens like pollen. Perennial allergies can occur year round, or at any time during the year in response to indoor substances, like dust mites and pet dander.
RISK FACTORS
Allergies can affect anyone, but you’re more likely to develop allergic rhinitis if there is a history of allergies in your family. Having asthma or atopic eczema can also increase your risk of allergic rhinitis.Some external factors can trigger or worsen this condition, including:cigarette smokechemicalscold temperatureshumiditywindair pollutionhairsprayperfumescologneswood smokefumesDIAGNOSISIf you have minor allergies, you’ll probably only need a physical exam. However, your doctor may perform certain tests to figure out the best treatment and prevention plan for you.A skin prick test is one of the most common. Your doctor places several substances onto your skin to see how your body reacts to each one. Usually, a small red bump appears if you’re allergic to a substance.A blood test, or radioallergosorbent test (RAST), is also common. The RAST measures the amount of immunoglobulin E antibodies to particular allergens in your blood.
PREVENTION
1. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high.2. Avoid Exercising outside early in the morning.3. Take showers immediately after being outside.4. Keep your windows and doors shut as frequently as possible during allergy season.5. Keep your mouth and nose covered while performing yard work.6. Try not to rake leaves or maw the lawn.7. Bathe your dog at least twice per week to minimize dander.8. Remove carpeting from your bathroom if you’re concerned about dust mites.
Treatment
Best Homeopathic Treatment :
1.Aconitum :
This medicine is used when throat feel as if it is burning .sneezing and a hot fluid coryza. Patient is anxious restlessness and fearfulness aggravated at night . Particular symptoms of aconite patient is Unquenchable thirst for large quantity of cold water and the patient is excessive sensitive to the least touch.
2.Arum Triphyllum:
This is most suitable medicine for allergic rhinitis, there are found acrid and fluent discharge in acute cold.stuffy nose inspite of the watery discharge.,patient must breathe through the mouth.sneezing worse at night.patient constant picking at the nose until it bleeds..boring with the finger into the side of the noses another characteristic of this medicine.
3 Bromium:
This remedy indicated when coryza with corrosive soreness nose.there is pressure at the root of nose with stoppage of right nostril.Fan like motion of alaen - nasi.sneezing from inhaling dust.
4 Sabadilla:
This is a topmost sneezing remedy ,it is indicted in hay fever, influenza etc. There is spasmodic paroxysmal sneezing with copious water discharge from nose.Face is hot and eye lids red and burning with lachrymation .There may be severe pain in frontal region of head with coryza.Influenza with violent spasmodic sneezing and lachrymation on going to open air.
5.Sticta Pulmonaria:
The characteristic symptoms of this medicine is feeling of fullness at the root of nose.There is dryness of nasal mucous membrane not due to lack of secretion,but secretions dry up very rapidly leaving thick crust behind them.The patient blows his nose, but no discharge comes out, there may be incessant sneezing, hay fever.
6.Allium cepa:
This is most important medicine for allergic rhinitis .this is a left sided medicine symptoms go from left to right.The discharge from nose is also profuse and watery but acrid .excoriates the part touched by the nasal discharge.The nasal discharge drops from tip of the nose .there is spring coryza after exposer to damp north eastern wind.
7.Arsenicum album:
This is wonderful remedy in influenza like symptoms ,there are found running of nose.Thin watery excoriating discharge .Nose feel stopped up.Sneezing without relief.this prophylactic for influenza.Along with above mention medicine there are many other medicine for Allergic rhinitis as Baccillium,Rhus tox, Sang Can.,Kali our 6x etc .