Allergic rhinitis
The content of the article:
- Classification
- The reasons
- Allergic rhinitis symptoms
-
Treatment
- Antihistamines
- Corticosteroids
- Folk remedies
- Prevention
- Are they being recruited into the army with allergic rhinitis?
- Video
Allergic rhinitis - what is it? This is an inflammatory process in the nasal cavity, which develops as a result of an inadequate (IgE-mediated) response of the body to external stimuli.
Rhinitis of allergic etiology occurs due to an inadequate reaction of the body to external stimuli, for example, to pollen
The disease is characterized by a complex of symptoms: discharge from the nose, difficulty in nasal breathing, sneezing and burning in the nasal cavity. After cessation of exposure to allergens or as a result of therapy, these symptoms of the disease disappear.
Classification
The classification of allergic rhinitis (AR) is difficult because there is no universally accepted definition of rhinitis that would cover all its known forms.
With constant contact with allergens, the chronic inflammatory process can be year-round (persistent). If the disease is seasonal (intermittent), then its manifestations disappear after the flowering of plants that cause allergies stops. Most often, symptoms develop in the spring and fall. A separate group is the professional AR.
The disease can take the following forms:
- mild: the presence of minor clinical signs of the disease in which daytime activity and / or sleep are not disturbed;
- moderate: the quality of life deteriorates significantly, since the symptoms of the disease disrupt the patient's sleep, interfere with studies, work, sports;
- severe: the symptoms are severe, if untreated, the patient cannot sleep normally at night and study, work and play sports during the day.
Allergic rhinitis code according to ICD-10:
- 0 - Vasomotor and AR;
- 1 - AR caused by plant pollen;
- 2 - Other seasonal ARs;
- 3 - Other ARs;
- 4 - AP, unspecified.
The reasons
In most cases, the disease is genetic in nature. The first contact with the allergen occurs in the nasal mucosa at the level of the upper respiratory tract. In the body, antibodies are synthesized that bind foreign particles, resulting in the formation of an antigen-antibody complex. Upon repeated contact with this substance, the body reacts violently, and symptoms characteristic of the disease appear.
One of the reasons for the development of the disease is contact with dust mites
Signs of AR can occur upon contact with the following substances:
- pollen of plants;
- dust mites;
- flavored chemicals;
- molds and yeasts;
- medications;
- Food.
Household chemicals can increase the body's allergic reaction
There are certain factors that can enhance the body's response:
- active or passive smoking;
- the use of chlorinated water, foods with a large amount of dyes and preservatives, or vegetables and fruits containing nitrates and pesticides;
- unfavorable ecological situation;
- inhalation of exhaust gases;
- a pungent smell of household chemicals or perfumes.
According to psychosomatics (a direction in psychology and medicine that studies the influence of psychological factors on the onset and course of diseases), the development of AR is associated with the patient's emotional state - a feature of the perception of himself and the world around him. This is confirmed by the results of a number of studies.
Allergic rhinitis symptoms
Unlike the common cold, AR can occur instantly. The main symptoms of allergic rhinitis in adults include:
- profuse watery nasal discharge, which may be accompanied by watery eyes;
- sneezing, its attacks most often occur in the morning. The patient can sneeze 20–40 times;
- dark circles under the eyes as a result of venous congestion caused by swelling of the nasal mucosa;
- burning sensation in the nasal cavity, it may spread to the nasopharynx;
- moist cough;
- nasal congestion, snoring and snoring at night.
One of the main symptoms of allergic rhinitis is repeated sneezing
The disease may be accompanied by itching in the back of the nose, so the patient constantly wrinkles his nose. To facilitate nasal breathing and reduce itching, he involuntarily rubs his palm upward. In medicine, this gesture is called an allergic salute, it can lead to the appearance of a horizontal streak on the nose.
There are additional symptoms that some patients experience. They manifest as tinnitus and hearing impairment. Photophobia, skin irritation in the area of the nasolabial triangle may also appear.
Due to mechanical irritation of the nasal mucosa, nosebleeds are observed. AR is often accompanied by a rash, and the skin may have red spots and peeling.
Allergic rhinitis can cause nosebleeds.
General signs of the disease are also possible:
- fatigue, lethargy, apathy;
- loss of appetite, nausea;
- irritability;
- frequent headaches;
- sleep disorders.
Treatment
Diagnostics is carried out by an allergist based on the medical history and examination results. Perhaps the appointment of additional studies.
How to distinguish AR from an infectious rhinitis? These diseases are distinguished by the sequence of the development of symptoms, the combination of a cold with catarrhal phenomena in the larynx, pharynx and trachea, and the nature of the discharge. Also in favor of the allergic etiology of rhinitis will be evidenced by the pale gray color of the mucous membrane during rhinoscopy, the manifestation of symptoms upon contact with causative allergens, the presence of specific antibodies in the blood serum.
An infectious rhinitis differs from an allergic one in the cause and mechanism of the disease.
To avoid the development of consequences, therapy must be comprehensive. It includes oral medications and nasal drops.
Antihistamines
Drugs in this group block H 1 -histamine receptors, which react to allergens that enter the human body. They are available in the form of tablets, sprays or nasal drops, as well as solutions for parenteral administration.
There are three generations of antiallergic drugs:
- Diphenhydramine, Suprastin, Tavegil. They are sedative and can cause drowsiness, but they are good at relieving itching.
- Loratadin, Fenistil, Cetirizin, Tsetrilev. The drugs should be taken once a day, they do not cause drowsiness and help to quickly stop the symptoms of the disease.
- Telfast, Tigofast. They are distinguished by high efficiency and minimal likelihood of side effects. These funds are also taken once a day.
Among the local antihistamines in the form of sprays and nasal drops are Kromofarm, Edem Reno. According to patient reviews, they can stop swelling and reduce the amount of nasal discharge.
Corticosteroids
If it is impossible to eliminate the symptoms of the disease with the help of antihistamines, the doctor may prescribe corticosteroids (hormonal drugs). Among the most effective of them are sprays based on mometasone and beclomethasone (Nazonex, Bekonase, Avamis).
Getting on the nasal mucosa, the active substances help to reduce edema and eliminate the inflammatory process. They are considered safe, since they practically do not penetrate the bloodstream, but the place acts. But they should be used with caution during pregnancy.
In severe forms of the disease, corticosteroids are prescribed in the form of injections (Diprospan, Kenalog, Flosteron).
Folk remedies
For therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, it is possible to use traditional medicine:
- camomile tea. 3 g of chamomile flowers are poured over 200 ml of boiling water, covered with a lid and allowed to cool, then filtered and used to wash the nose and eyes. The tool helps to reduce inflammation;
- chicken egg shells and lemon juice. The shell is ground into powder with a coffee grinder. Take 2 g of the product daily, adding 2 drops of lemon juice to it. Treatment continues for two weeks;
- decoction of the train. 3 g of medicinal raw material is poured into 250 ml of water and boiled over low heat for two minutes. After the product has cooled down, filter it and take 125 ml twice a day for a week. Also, the broth can be used topically to eliminate itching.
Prevention
To prevent an exacerbation of the disease, it is necessary:
- eat properly. Eating certain foods, including berries and fruits, can cause cross-allergies. Therefore, patients with a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, which occurs as a reaction to plant pollen, during their flowering should stop using them;
- create optimal living conditions in the room, carry out wet cleaning every day, wash curtains more often, remove carpets and soft toys, woolen and duvets. It is better to choose wallpaper smooth, without convex elements in which dust accumulates.
Also, compliance with these recommendations increases the effectiveness of the therapy.
If the disease is detected in a baby or a preschool child, you should not start treatment on your own, you should seek the advice of a doctor.
Are they being recruited into the army with allergic rhinitis?
The schedule of illnesses does not provide for the exemption from the army of persons with allergic rhinitis. During an exacerbation of the disease, a soldier will be sent for treatment, but not commissioned for health reasons.
An exemption from the army may be granted when there is significant or moderate respiratory distress due to an allergic reaction or other serious consequences.
If the treatment of the disease is not started on time, complications may arise in the form of sinusitis, frontal sinusitis or acute inflammatory processes in the middle ear.
It is quite difficult to cure an allergic rhinitis, since contact with allergens leads to a new exacerbation of the disease. All clinical guidelines must be followed to relieve symptoms.
Video
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Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
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