Allergic Rhinitis
What is allergic rhinitis?
Have you found yourself sneezing repeatedly when you’re around dust or smoke? if yes, then it’s highly possible that you’re allergic to it.
Your body’s defence system (also known as immune system) helps you fight harmful things such as germs (viruses and bacteria) and protects you. When you are allergic to something, it means that your immune system is trying to protect you from something that is completely harmless – such as dust or pollen from plants and trees and sometimes, even certain food items. An allergy can affect any part of the body, such as the skin, eyes and nose.
Allergies are very common and can affect anyone. However, if any of your family members have a history of allergies, then you may be more likely to develop an allergy.
When you are allergic to something, it means that your immune system is trying to protect you from something that is completely harmless
Allergic rhinitis refers to an allergy that specifically affects the nose. The symptoms start to show when you breathe in something you’re allergic to. These are known as allergens. The most common allergens are:
Outdoor allergens such as pollen and smoke
Indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet hair or dander and mould (fungus)
Other irritants such as cigarette smoke, perfumes, chemicals and exhaust fumes
Broadly, there are two types of allergic rhinitis – seasonal and perennial.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis is when your symptoms show or get worse only during certain periods during the year. This is more common when your allergen is something like pollen, which is found in abundance during certain periods of the year.
Perennial allergic rhinitis on the other hand, is when you have the symptoms throughout the year. This is more common when you are allergic to things which are present throughout the year, such as dust, smoke, dust mites etc.