Allergic rhinitis: Is a reaction to airborne (inhaled) allergens.
Depending on the allergen, the resulting rhinitis and conjunctivitis may
be seasonal such as hay fever or occurring year round (perennial allergic
rhinitis). This disorder commonly affects young children and adolescents
but can affect all age groups. Seasonal pollen allergy may exacerbate
symptoms of perennial rhinitis.
Cause: Hay fever results from wind borne pollens such as
grass. and weeds as well as from mold (fungal spores) in the summer and
fall perennial allergic rhinitis results from house dust, feather pillows,
cigarette smoke, animal dander, and upholstery
Symptoms:
Hay fever: sneezing, profuse watery rhinorrhea, and nasal obstruction
or congestion.
Nose and eyes may itch
Nasal mucosa may appear pale cyanotic and edematous
Eyelids and conjunctivae may appear red and edematous
Headache or sinus pain, dark circles under the eyes (allergic shiners)
May experience itchy throat, malaise, and fever
Perennial allergic rhinitis: chronic nasal obstruction often extending
to eustachian tube obstruction, particularly in children, and dark circles
under the eyes
Treatment:
To control symptoms by eliminating the environmental antigen, if possible,
and by drug therapy and immunotherapy.
Antihistamines
Tropical intranasal steroids produce local anti inflammatory effects
with minimal systemic effects