Symptoms & Causes
Causes of Allergic Rhinitis
The bout of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) can be triggered by a number of allergens. Allergens are substances that can induce an ‘allergic reaction’ in the body.
These are some common allergens in cases of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy):
- Pollen
- Dust, Wood Dust
- Outdoor Moulds
- House Dust Mites
- Exposure to certain animals (including pets)
- Cockroaches, Rodents
- Smoke, pollution, and strong smells, some chemical exposure.
When a susceptible person is exposed to any of the allergen, the body releases certain chemicals which include ‘histamine’. This in turn is responsible for allergy symptoms such as itchy feeling, swelling, and mucus production.
Certain other factors those are responsible in the development of Allergic Rhinitis (nasal allergy):
Weather: Hot, dry, windy days are more likely to trigger an allergy attack as compared to cool, damp, rainy days.
Genetics:: Heredity seems to play an important role in allergic diseases.
More over the triggers of an attack may vary from person to person and the patient himself has to figure out which of these causative factors precipitates the episodes in him.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) is not an easy disorder to live with though it may not sound so to a non-sufferer, only the patient knows how troublesome this condition is. Just imagine a sudden episode of constant sneezing in the middle of an important meet or class?!
- Repetitive Sneezing
- Runny nose (rhinorrhoea)
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy nose, ear, throat, eyes
- Watery eyes
- Reduced sense of smell
- Post-nasal discharge
Chronic cases of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) may develop additional symptoms like:
- Cough (due to the post nasal discharge)
- Sinus headaches
- Blocked ears
- Nasal polyps
- Eyelid swelling
- Injected sclera (redness of the white of an eyes)
Self-Care Guidelines
Here are some of the tips that have been derived from our vast experience of treating many patients of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) over the last 90 years at our centers. These tips have been clinically verified in our patients and have been found useful.
• Keep a food diary to ascertain food intolerances
• Increase your antioxidant intake by taking plenty of fruits and vegetables if they don’t increase your complaints.
• Avoid or decrease the use of those things that are likely to increase your complaints
(Note: Extent and nature of benefits of treatment varies among individuals and has been gathered from patients themselves & past clinical records)
Though we consider Allergic Rhinitis a stubborn and difficult condition to treat, individuals have a better long term prognosis on completion of Homeopathic treatment.