Year-round allergic rhinitis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and swelling of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Allergic reactions are provoked by a whole range of irritating agents (allergens), which include dust, medicines, household chemicals, gassed air, fungal spores, food, etc.
In contrast to the seasonal rhinitis, persistent rhinitis disturbs not only during the flowering periods of trees and plants, but even in winter.
To cure the disease, it is first necessary to identify and eliminate all allergens that cause inflammation of the nasopharynx. If for some reason this cannot be done, the patient is offered to undergo a course of hyposensitizing therapy.
Due to the introduction into the body of small doses of irritating substances, the sensitivity to them is significantly reduced, due to which the main manifestations of allergies are eliminated.
Allergic rhinitis - what is it?
Year-round allergic rhinitis is a rather rare form of allergic disease, which is accompanied by repeated sneezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, shortness of breath and itching in the nasopharynx. Pathological symptoms can appear throughout the year with constant contact with provoking agents. As a rule, after the elimination of allergens, the manifestations of the disease quickly disappear, due to which the state of health significantly improves.
With persistent rhinitis, the clinical picture is not as pronounced as with hay fever. However, nasal congestion, itching, clear nasal discharge, and lacrimation can be uncomfortable for the patient.
Moreover, if you let the allergy take its course, your health condition will only worsen later.
According to statistics, inadequate and delayed treatment of allergic reactions in the nasopharynx in 25% of cases leads to the development of catarrhal otitis media and sinusitis. Inflammation from the nasal cavity quickly spreads to the auditory tube and paranasal sinuses, which inevitably leads to the development of side respiratory diseases. To prevent complications, it is necessary to diagnose and treat persistent rhinitis in a timely manner.
First signs
Allergists pay attention to the fact that the first manifestations of year-round rhinitis practically do not differ from the common cold. As with colds, patients complain of periodic sneezing, nasal congestion, unobtrusive coughing and sore throat.
The allergic nature of the disease is indicated by the absence of temperature and symptoms of intoxication. If a runny nose was provoked by allergens, body aches, nausea and headaches will be absent.
Allergic reactions appear, as a rule, within literally 2-3 minutes after contact of the mucous membrane with provoking agents. There is no point in treating allergies with antiviral and antibacterial agents. What's more, some antimicrobial drugs can even worsen symptoms.
About 2-3 hours after the start of allergic reactions, watery nasal discharge appears, the eyelids swell, dark circles appear under the eyes, and the conjunctiva of the eyes becomes inflamed. If persistent rhinitis is suspected, it is advisable to be examined by an ENT doctor. After donating blood for analysis, a specialist will be able to determine for sure the presence of specific antibodies in the body, indicating the development of allergies.
Clinical picture
According to practical observations, year-round allergic rhinitis can flow into allergic laryngitis, otitis media and bronchial asthma. It is much more difficult to cure side diseases than a banal allergy, so therapy should be started immediately after the symptoms of a persistent rhinitis are detected.
In addition to sneezing, watery eyes, and nasal discharge, patients experience the following symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis:
- dark blue circles under the eyes;
- periodic cough;
- a fold on the bridge of the nose;
- wheezing breathing;
- swelling of the face;
- rawness in the larynx;
- snoring while sleeping.
House dust is the most common cause of airway inflammation. It contains microscopic mites that feed on dead epithelial cells. Due to the inadequate response of the immune system to certain allergens, histamine is produced in the body. It is found in mast cells, which are found mainly in the nasal mucosa, gastrointestinal tract and eyes. Inflammation of the anatomical structures mentioned and becomes a key cause of the development of a runny nose, lacrimation and sore throat.
Professional allergic rhinitis is most often triggered by fumes from paints and varnishes, latex, rubber glue, etc.
Allergist recommendations
The complexity of the treatment of allergic rhinitis lies in the fact that several types of allergens can provoke pathological reactions in the nasal cavity at once. To reduce the severity of symptoms and ease the course of the disease, you need to protect yourself as much as possible from contact with potentially dangerous provoking substances.
This requires:
- give up smoking and drinking alcohol;
- minimize the use of vasoconstrictors;
- to replace pillows and blankets with natural fillers (down, wool) with new ones made of hypoallergenic materials;
- regularly rinse the nasopharynx with saline solutions, which help clear the nasal cavity of dust and other allergens;
- regularly ventilate the room and change bedding;
- humidify the air and wipe dust from horizontal surfaces at least 1 time per day;
- remove from the room all types of "dust collectors", which include: blankets, soft toys, bedspreads, carpets, etc.
To prevent the development of bronchial asthma, you should visit an allergist to confirm the diagnosis and draw up the most appropriate treatment regimen. It is possible to reduce the body's sensitivity to the action of allergens only by taking medications and undergoing hyposensitizing therapy.
If you take antiallergic drugs immediately after the first symptoms of the disease appear, the allergy will subside within 2-3 days.
Antihistamines
The occurrence of allergies is associated with an increase in the sensitivity (sensitization) of the body to certain provoking agents. During breathing, allergens are deposited on the nasal mucosa, after which they are absorbed into the bloodstream. The immune system identifies them as strangers to get rid of. The body reacts to "guests" almost instantly by producing specific antibodies. With repeated contact with them, an excess amount of histamine enters the bloodstream, which causes inflammation in the soft tissues.
Due to the peculiarities of the appearance of pathological reactions, the treatment of allergic rhinitis begins with the intake of antihistamines. They interfere with the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, due to which the edema of the mucous membrane and, accordingly, the manifestations of allergies are eliminated. Typically, the following medications are used to treat persistent rhinitis:
- Ebastin;
- Azelastine;
- Loratadin;
- Claritin;
- "Cetirizine".
Important! 2nd generation antihistamines can cause unwanted side reactions - nausea, diarrhea, nosebleeds.
Nasal allergy medications are well tolerated, but they will only help relieve allergy symptoms for a short time. It is impossible to use them on an ongoing basis, since the components of the drugs tend to accumulate in the tissues and cause side effects.
Topical glucocorticosteroids
With year-round allergic rhinitis, the nasal mucosa undergoes some changes. Due to constant inflammation, it thickens and over time begins to grow, as a result of which polyps form in the nose. To prevent the appearance of benign tumors, it is necessary to stop the inflammation in the airways. For these purposes, topical glucocorticosteroids are used. What are they?
Topical glucocorticosteroids are medications that contain adrenal hormones. Some of them, in particular a glucocorticosteroid, inhibit inflammation and allergic reactions in tissues. Using hormonal drops and pills, you can stop the manifestations of a persistent rhinitis in just a few days.
Modern glucocorticosteroids are practically devoid of disadvantages. They are not absorbed into the systemic circulation and do not lead to atrophy of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. To cope with allergic rhinitis, it is recommended to use:
- Fluticasone;
- "Mometasone";
- "Prednisolone";
- Triamcinolone.
Abuse of drugs can provoke the multiplication of opportunistic fungi in the respiratory organs, which is fraught with the development of mycoses.
Hormonal medications interfere with the production of inflammatory mediators, thereby reducing the severity of allergy symptoms. However, you should not use glucocorticosteroids without a doctor's prescription, as they have an immunosuppressive effect.
Sorbents for allergies
Therapy for allergic diseases includes a whole range of therapeutic measures. Enterosorption is one of the most important stages in the treatment of perennial rhinitis. Regular intake of medications that remove allergens and toxins from the body helps to reduce the body's sensitivity to irritants.
Typically, the treatment regimen for persistent allergic rhinitis includes:
- Karbolen;
- "Filtrum";
- Enterosgel;
- "Smecta";
- Polysorb.
During periods of exacerbation of allergies, the intake of enterosorbents allows you to eliminate itching in the nasal cavity, lacrimation and profuse nasal discharge. The active components of the drugs bind to toxins, inflammatory mediators and allergens, thereby reducing the severity of symptoms. In addition, sorbents have a beneficial effect on the condition of the liver and the immune system, as a result of which the risk of re-development of allergies is reduced.
Cromones
Cromones are the most effective medicines that can be used to defeat allergies. Medicines based on cromoglycic acid are used in the treatment of bronchial asthma, pollinosis, hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis and persistent rhinitis. Cromones belong to the stabilizers of mast cell membranes, the destruction of which leads to the release of histamine into the blood. Regular and systematic intake of medications prevents the occurrence of allergic reactions and inflammation of the mucous membranes.
To stop an allergic rhinitis and prevent its relapse, you can use the following means:
- "Ketotifen";
- "Sodium undercril";
- "Kromoglin";
- Lekrolin.
Cromones are anti-allergic agents, through which it is possible to stop inflammation in the nasopharynx and prevent attacks of suffocation.
Unlike conventional vasoconstrictor drops, cromones act slowly. To achieve a significant improvement in well-being, the drugs must be used for at least 2-3 weeks in a row. To speed up their action, it is recommended to carry out inhalations with solutions, which include cromoglycic acid. The medicinal aerosol is quickly absorbed directly into the chaga of inflammation, due to which the severity of allergic reactions decreases within 2-3 days.
