Allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms, mostly in the nose and eyes, which occur when you breathe in something you are allergic to, such as dust, dander, insect venom, or pollen.This article focuses on allergic rhinitis due to outdoor triggers, such as plant pollen. This type of allergic rhinitis is commonly called hay fever.
For information on other types of allergies, see:
· Allergies
· Allergy to mold, dander, dust
· Asthma
CAUSES, INCIDENCE, AND RISK FACTORS
An allergen is something that triggers an allergy. When a person with allergic rhinitis breathes in an allergensuch as pollen or dust, the body releases chemicals, including histamine. This causes allergy symptoms.
Hay fever involves an allergic reaction to pollen. (A similar reaction occurs with allergy to mold, animal dander, dust, and similar allergens that you breathe in.)
The pollens that cause hay fever vary from person to person and from area to area. Tiny, hard to see pollens more often cause hay fever. Examples of plants that cause hay fever include:
· Trees
· Grasses
· Ragweed
The amount of pollen in the air can affect whether hay fever symptoms develop. Hot, dry, windy days are more likely to have increased amounts of pollen in the air. On cool, damp, rainy days most pollen is washed to the ground.
Some disorders may be linked to allergies. These include eczemaand asthma.
Allergies are common. Your genes and environment may make you more likely to get allergies.
Whether or not you are likely to develop allergies is often passed down through families. If both your parents have allergies, you are likely to have allergies. The chance is greater if your mother has allergies.
SYMPTOMS:-
Symptoms that occur shortly after you come into contact with the substance you are allergic to may include:
· Itchynose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
· Problems with smell
· Runny nose
· Sneezing
· Tearing eyes
Symptoms that may develop later include:
· Stuffy nose(nasal congestion)
· Coughing
· Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell
· Sore throat
· Dark circles under the eyes
· Puffiness under the eyes
· Fatigue and irritability
· Headache
· Memory problems and slowed thinking
SIGNS AND TESTS
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms. Your history of symptoms is important in diagnosing allergic rhinitis. You will be asked whether your symptoms vary by time of day or season, and exposure to pets or other allergens.
Allergy testing may reveal the substances that trigger your symptoms. Skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing.
If your doctor determines you cannot have skin testing, special blood tests may help with the diagnosis. These tests can measure the levels of allergy-related substances, especially one called immunoglobulin E (IgE).
A complete blood count (CBC) test called the eosinophil white blood cell count may also help diagnose allergies.
PREVENTION:
The best way to control your symptoms is to avoid being exposed to the allergens that trigger your symptoms. These steps may help.
If you have hay fever, during days or seasons when airborne allergens are high:
· Stay indoors, and close the windows.
· Use an air conditioner in your home and car.
· Avoid using fans that draw in air from outdoors.
· Don't hang laundry outside to dry.
· Bathe or shower and change your clothes after being outside.
· Use a HEPA air filter in your bedroom.
If you have year-round allergies:
· Cover your pillows and mattress with dust mite covers.
· Remove carpet and install tile or hardwood floors. Use area rugs and wash them often in very hot water.
· Use blinds instead of curtains.
· Keep pets out of the bedroom.
· Use a HEPA filter on your vacuum.
· Use an air purifier.
· Wash bedding and toys such as stuffed animals in very hot water once a week.
HOMOEOPATHIC APPROCH TO ALLERGIC RHINITIS
In homeopathy, there are two ways of looking at the problem of hay fever and allergic rhinitis. Ideally the best way to eradicate the tendency to the condition from the body would be to have long-term treatment from a professionally registered classical homeopath. Believe it or not, one of the best times to begin the treatment of seasonal allergies is during the least troublesome months, although naturally very few of us remember to do this because once the season has passed, we forget all about it until the symptoms manifest themselves again.As a homeopath, despite repeatedly reminding summer hay fever patients to come for winter treatment, I rarely see them again until the following spring! Treating the whole constitution over several months can improve general health and wellbeing and, because homeopathy works deeply on reducing our susceptibility to the illnesses we habitually get, allergies ought to be removed as the constitution becomes stronger. Be prepared, though, for this to take some time! Any honest homeopath will tell you that to eradicate allergic response completely can take up to two years, although symptoms should thankfully reduce as treatment progresses.
The majority of people seeking homeopathic help with seasonal rhinitis will come once the symptoms have actually started and this is not normally the best time to start constitutional treatment because the remedy indicated for the whole person may do little to reduce the acute flare up. Most commonly a homeopath will take the temporary measure of calming the symptoms with what is called an acute remedy. This is a remedy that is not selected to treat the underlying constitution but is intended to control the symptoms in the least suppressive way until the season is over and deeper treatment can be started or resumed.
The following remedies are some acute prescriptions used temporarily to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms. Unlike conventional medicine, and as with all homeopathic remedies, tablets are most effective when taken only in response to the symptoms. For example, if a remedy is accurately chosen, very few doses will actually be needed throughout the season. One tablet should be sucked or chewed each time symptoms relapse sometimes this can be several days or even weeks after the first dose!
Because allergic rhinitis can be quite severe, it is often preferable to use a homeopathic remedy in a higher potency to gain more rapid and long-term relief. Generally a single dose of the appropriate constitutional remedy in 200c does far more than repeated use of a 6c or 30c.
Some important medicines are given below
1) ALLIUM CEPA
2) ARSENIC ALB
3) NATRUM MURIATICUM
4) NUXVOMICA
5) PULSATILLA
6) SULPHUR
7) NUX VOMICA
8) PHOSPHORUS etc
Any information given above is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. There for it is very important that the patient should avoid self treatment and rather contact OLIVE HOMOEO CARE or a qualified classical homoeopath and take treatment under his proper guidance and advice.
