OTC eyedrops and oral medications are commonly used for short-term relief of some eye allergy symptoms. They may not relieve all symptoms, though, and prolonged use of some of these drops may cause your condition to worsen. Prescription eyedrops and oral medications also are used to treat eye allergies. Prescription eyedrops provide both short- and long-term targeted relief of eye allergy symptoms.
Check with your allergist or pharmacist if you are unsure about a specific drug or formula. If you develop symptoms that resemble those of hay fever and that appear or become more serious at work, you may be suffering from occupational rhinitis.
Occupational rhinitis, or work-related rhinitis, is a condition in which symptoms are triggered or further aggravated by allergens in the workplace. These symptoms can include sneezing, a runny nose and watering eyes. Common triggers include cleaning products, chemical fumes, certain types of dust, and corrosive gases.
If your allergy symptoms appear at work, or seem to get worse there, ask your allergist to help you identify potential triggers and develop a treatment plan.
Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to airborne allergens, like seasonal grass or ragweed pollen or year-round allergens like dust and animal dander. Hay fever shares many of the same symptoms as a common cold but is not caused by a virus or bacteria.
Instead, it is caused by your immune system reacting to allergens you breath into your body. Hay fever is another name for allergic rhinitis, most commonly used to describe a seasonal allergic reaction to pollen such as ragweed. However, the term is often used to refer to nasal allergies caused by any inhaled allergen.
Despite the name, hay fever is not necessarily a reaction to hay, and it does not cause a fever. Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a common cold. Some common symptoms include sneezing, congestion, coughing, sinus pressure, itchy watery eyes, and itchy nose, mouth, and throat, and fatigue. It can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold and hay fever.
If you have hay fever, your runny nose will likely have a thin, watery discharge, and, despite the name, you will not have a fever. If you have a cold, you may have a thicker or yellowish discharge from your nose and may have a low-grade fever. Hay fever symptoms can begin immediately after you are exposed to allergens like pollen or animal dander , and will continue as long as your exposure continues. A cold will most likely begin a day or two after exposure to the virus and can last a few days to a week.
Hay Fever If you sneeze a lot, if your nose is often runny or stuffy, or if your eyes, mouth or skin often feels itchy, you may have allergic rhinitis, a condition that affects 40 million to 60 million Americans. On this page. Overview Allergic rhinitis — commonly known as hay fever — is a group of symptoms affecting the nose.
Seasonal: Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis can occur in spring, summer, and early fall. They are usually caused by allergic sensitivity to airborne mold spores or to pollens from trees, grass, and weeds. Perennial: People with perennial allergic rhinitis experience symptoms year-round. It is generally caused by dust mites, pet hair or dander, cockroaches, or mold. Underlying or hidden food allergies rarely cause perennial nasal symptoms.
Find expert care with an Allergist. Find an Allergist. Hay Fever Symptoms Runny nose Itchy eyes, mouth or skin Sneezing Stuffy nose due to blockage or congestion Fatigue often reported due to poor quality sleep as a result of nasal obstruction Hay Fever Triggers Outdoor allergens, such as pollens from trees, grass, weeds, and mold spores Indoor allergens, such as pet hair or dander, dust mites and mold Irritants, such as cigarette smoke, perfume, and diesel exhaust Hay Fever Management and Treatment Avoid triggers by making changes to your home and to your behavior.
Keep windows closed during high pollen periods; use air conditioning in your home and car. Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to keep pollen out of your eyes. If you smell mildew, you likely have mold. Wash your hands after petting any animal, and have a nonallergic person help with pet grooming, preferably in a well-ventilated area or outside.
Allergist James Sublett, MD. Symptoms People with allergic rhinitis generally experience symptoms after breathing in an allergy-causing substance such as pollen or dust. They are usually caused by sensitivity to airborne mold spores or to pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds. Perennial: Symptoms occur year-round and are generally caused by sensitivity to dust mites , pet hair or dander, cockroaches or mold.
Allergic rhinitis can be associated with: Decreased concentration and focus Limited activities Decreased decision-making capacity Impaired hand-eye coordination Problems remembering things Irritability Sleep disorders Fatigue Missed days of work or school More motor vehicle accidents More school or work injuries Many parents of children with allergic rhinitis have said that their children are more moody and irritable during allergy season. Types of skin tests Prick or scratch test: In this test, a tiny drop of a possible allergen is pricked or scratched into the skin.
Also known as a percutaneous test, this is the most common type of skin test. The results are known within 10 to 20 minutes. Intradermal test: A small amount of a possible allergen is injected under the skin using a thin needle. The site is checked for a reaction after about 20 minutes. This test is typically more sensitive than the prick or scratch test.
Management and Treatment Avoidance The first approach in managing seasonal or perennial forms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever should be to avoid the allergens that trigger symptoms, if possible. Outdoor exposure Stay indoors as much as possible when pollen counts are at their peak, usually during the midmorning and early evening this may vary according to plant pollen , and when wind is blowing pollens around.
Avoid using window fans that can draw pollens and molds into the house. Wear glasses or sunglasses when outdoors to minimize the amount of pollen getting into your eyes.
Try not to rub your eyes; doing so will irritate them and could make your symptoms worse. Indoor exposure Keep windows closed and use air conditioning in your car and home.
Make sure to keep your air conditioning unit clean. Reduce exposure to dust mites, especially in the bedroom. Wash your bedding frequently, using hot water at least degrees Fahrenheit.
To limit exposure to mold, keep the humidity in your home low between 30 and 50 percent and clean your bathrooms, kitchen, and basement regularly. Use a dehumidifier, especially in the basement and in other damp, humid places, and empty and clean it often. If mold is visible, clean it with mild detergent and a 5 percent bleach solution as directed by an allergist. Clean floors with a damp rag or mop, rather than dry-dusting or sweeping.
Exposure to pets Wash your hands immediately after petting any animals; wash your clothes after visiting friends with pets. If you are allergic to a household pet , keep your pet out of your home as much as possible. If the pet must be inside, keep it out of your bedroom so you are not exposed to pet allergens while you sleep.
Close the air ducts to your bedroom if you have forced-air or central heating or cooling. Replace carpeting with hardwood, tile, or linoleum, all of which are easier to keep dander-free.
Intranasal corticosteroids Intranasal corticosteroids are the single most effective drug class for treating allergic rhinitis. Hay fever is often confused with the common cold. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of hay fever and how to treat them. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux. Others are asthmatic in nature. Learn more about the relationship between acid reflux and asthma.
Any substance that causes an allergic reaction or asthma attack can exacerbate your COPD symptoms. Learn how to identify and avoid common allergens. Why does your nose run when you eat? Your nasal spray could be doing more harm than good. Find out where rhinitis medicamentosa comes in and what you can do to prevent it. An incentive spirometer is a device that can help you strengthen your lungs. Learn how it works, who it helps, and where to get one. Belly or abdominal breathing offers a number of benefits for health and well-being.
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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes Chronic Rhinitis? Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M. Allergic vs. Home remedies. When to see a doctor. The bottom line. Read this next. What are the Symptoms of Hay Fever? Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol , ibuprofen or aspirin, can be used to help reduce any pain and discomfort in your face. However, these medications aren't suitable for everyone, so check the leaflet that comes with them before using them.
For example, children under the age of 16 shouldn't take aspirin, and ibuprofen isn't recommended for people with asthma or a history of stomach ulcers. Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you're unsure. Antibiotics may also be recommended if your sinuses become infected with bacteria. If you have long-term chronic sinusitis, surgery may be needed to improve the drainage of your sinuses.
Read more about treating sinusitis. Middle ear infections otitis media can also develop as a complication of nasal problems, including allergic rhinitis. These infections can occur if rhinitis causes a problem with the Eustachian tube, which connects the back of the nose and middle ear, at the back of the nose. If this tube doesn't function properly, fluid can build up in the middle ear behind the ear drum and can become infected.
There's also the possibility of infection at the back of the nose spreading to the ear through the Eustachian tube. The main symptoms of a middle ear infection include:. Ear infections often clear up within a couple of days, but paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to help relieve fever and pain. Antibiotics may also be prescribed if the symptoms persist or are particularly severe. Read more about treating middle ear infections. But this isn't always easy. Allergens, such as dust mites, aren't always easy to spot and can breed in even the cleanest house.
It can also be difficult to avoid coming into contact with pets, particularly if they belong to friends and family. Dust mites are one of the biggest causes of allergies. They're microscopic insects that breed in household dust. Concentrate your efforts on controlling dust mites in the areas of your home where you spend most time, such as the bedroom and living room. It isn't pet fur that causes an allergic reaction, but exposure to flakes of their dead skin, saliva and dried urine.
If you're visiting a friend or relative with a pet, ask them not to dust or vacuum on the day you're visiting because it will disturb allergens into the air.
Taking an antihistamine medicine one hour before you enter a house with a pet can help reduce your symptoms. Different plants and trees pollinate at different times of the year, so when you get allergic rhinitis will depend on what sort of pollen s you're allergic to.
Most people are affected during the spring and summer months because this is when most trees and plants pollinate. Moulds can grow on any decaying matter, both in and outside the house. The moulds themselves aren't allergens, but the spores they release are. Spores are released when there's a sudden rise in temperature in a moist environment, such as when central heating is turned on in a damp house or wet clothes are dried next to a fireplace. Home Illnesses and conditions Ears, nose and throat Allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About allergic rhinitis 2. Causes of allergic rhinitis 3. Diagnosing allergic rhinitis 4. Treating allergic rhinitis 5. Complications of allergic rhinitis 6. Preventing allergic rhinitis. About allergic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergen, such as pollen, dust, mould, or flakes of skin from certain animals.
It's a very common condition, estimated to affect around one in every five people in the UK. Signs and symptoms Allergic rhinitis typically causes cold-like symptoms , such as sneezing, itchiness and a blocked or runny nose.
When to see your GP Visit your GP if the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are disrupting your sleep, preventing you carrying out everyday activities, or adversely affecting your performance at work or school. Read more about diagnosing allergic rhinitis What causes allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is caused by the immune system reacting to an allergen as if it were harmful. Read more about the causes of allergic rhinitis Treating and preventing allergic rhinitis It's difficult to completely avoid potential allergens, but you can take steps to reduce exposure to a particular allergen you know or suspect is triggering your allergic rhinitis.
Read more about treating allergic rhinitis and preventing allergic rhinitis Further problems Allergic rhinitis can lead to complications in some cases. These include: nasal polyps — abnormal but non-cancerous benign sacs of fluid that grow inside the nasal passages and sinuses sinusitis — an infection caused by nasal inflammation and swelling that prevents mucus draining from the sinuses middle ear infections — infection of part of the ear located directly behind the eardrum These problems can often be treated with medication, although surgery is sometimes needed in severe or long-term cases.
Causes of allergic rhinitis Allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction to an allergen, such as pollen, dust and certain animals. Oversensitive immune system If you have allergic rhinitis, your immune system — your natural defence against infection and illness — will react to an allergen as if it were harmful. Common allergens Allergic rhinitis is triggered by breathing in tiny particles of allergens. House dust mites House dust mites are tiny insects that feed on the dead flakes of human skin.
Pollen and spores Tiny particles of pollen produced by trees and grasses can sometimes cause allergic rhinitis. Rhinitis can also be caused by spores produced by mould and fungi. Animals Many people are allergic to animals, such as cats and dogs. Work-related allergens Some people are affected by allergens found in their work environment, such as wood dust, flour dust or latex. Who's most at risk? Diagnosing allergic rhinitis Your GP will often be able to diagnose allergic rhinitis from your symptoms and your personal and family medical history.
Your GP may examine the inside of your nose to check for nasal polyps. Allergy testing If the exact cause of allergic rhinitis is uncertain, your GP may refer you to a hospital allergy clinic for allergy testing.
The two main allergy tests are: skin prick test — where the allergen is placed on your arm and the surface of the skin is pricked with a needle to introduce the allergen to your immune system; if you're allergic to the substance, a small itchy spot welt will appear blood test — to check for the immunoglobulin E IgE antibody in your blood; your immune system produces this antibody in response to a suspected allergen Commercial allergy testing kits aren't recommended because the testing is often of a lower standard than that provided by the NHS or an accredited private clinic.
Further tests In some cases further hospital tests may be needed to check for complications, such as nasal polyps or sinusitis. For example, you may need: a nasal endoscopy — where a thin tube with a light source and video camera at one end endoscope is inserted up your nose so your doctor can see inside your nose a nasal inspiratory flow test — where a small device is placed over your mouth and nose to measure the air flow when you inhale through your nose a computerised tomography CT scan — a scan that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body.
Treating allergic rhinitis Treatment for allergic rhinitis depends on how severe your symptoms are and how much they're affecting your everyday activities. In most cases treatment aims to relieve symptoms such as sneezing and a blocked or runny nose. If you have mild allergic rhinitis, you can often treat the symptoms yourself.
Self-help It's possible to treat the symptoms of mild allergic rhinitis with over-the-counter medications, such as long-acting, non-sedating antihistamines.
Cleaning your nasal passages Regularly cleaning your nasal passages with a salt water solution — known as nasal douching or irrigation — can also help by keeping your nose free of irritants. To rinse your nose: stand over a sink, cup the palm of one hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it sniff the water into one nostril at a time repeat this until your nose feels comfortable — you may not need to use all of the solution While you do this, some solution may pass into your throat through the back of your nose.
Medication Medication won't cure your allergy, but it can be used to treat the common symptoms. Visit your GP if your symptoms don't respond to medication after two weeks. Antihistamines Antihistamines relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis by blocking the action of a chemical called histamine, which the body releases when it thinks it's under attack from an allergen.
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