Captain Shrirang Shinde Memorial ENT And Cancer Center

Hi,

I am Dr. Vijay Shinde, ENT Specialist. Today I am going to talk to you on allergic rhinitis in general. What is allergic rhinitis? This is the disease caused by allergens in ears which reaches there through the nose. When they inhale small particles they cause a problem and release certain chemicals which leads to the various symptoms like running nose, itching in the nose, eyes and the throat, nasal blockage, headache. In Pune, allergic rhinitis is on is common. Most of the population are prone to allergy. So, each and every person gets an allergy at some or the other stage of life. So, how can it be diagnosed? Skin prick allergy test can be performed or some other blood tests can be performed. Allergy is on rise. This usually leads to a disturbed lifestyle. Disturbed sleep, loss of school days for children, decreased efficiency in the work. So, we have to take care of this allergy. So, whenever a patient comes to us, they want to get rid of the allergies. I always tell them that it is such a disease like hypertension or diabetes. It is a lifestyle disease and merely it can be kept under control. It can not be totally cured. Because it works as per your normal body response. Like any person has hypertension, blood pressure.

Either you can say if it is normal then it is normal. If many allergens are there in your body then it can lead you to disease. So, what we have to see what type of allergens you are encountering in daily life. Basically, we divide allergy into 2 types. Allergy which occurs all throughout the year or it can be a seasonal allergy. Most of the time allergy occurs when it is a flowering season, pollens, rainy season, mites. Especially in such season, you get allergies. You can also get the allergy through dust, pets which can be encountered all throughout the year. If you are getting any allergy and suffering from it from more than a 4 weeks then we call it a persistent allergy. So, we always need to look into the factors that are causing the problem. Like you are dusting your home and all of sudden you start sneezing. So, take simple precautions like cover your nose, use vacuum cleaner. There are other methods also in avoidance major what we call as the main modality of control of allergy. One is the avoidance of allergy. I always explain to my patients that you must have heard of food allergy.

What we usually do, we avoid eating. When it is respiratory allergy we don't exactly your allergy is up to. So, we have to see when you get the symptoms. When you are dusting, are you getting symptoms at that time then it is obvious that you are allergic to the particle of dust so you have to cover your nose either or you see dust doesn't rise. If you are traveling to a certain place and getting allergy then you have to see whether you are allergic to pollens. So, these are the trigger factors which lead to the allergy. Then other things are also there like covering pillows, wash your linens. If the allergy is due to your molds in your house, it can be because of lesser ventilation in the house. Now treatment modality what we usually do is wither treat it medicinally or there are certain nasal sprays. Most of the time patients are stopping the medicines once their symptoms are stopped. But if this is not treated properly then symptoms come immediately. Nowadays good sprays are also available to take care of allergies. Allergies can be kept under control without any tablets. Sprays are also available with minimal side-effects if properly used.

Especially we are worried about children as they are taking medicines. There are certain complications due to allergies. If the allergy is longer than the expected time then it can be converted into asthma. In that case, you also have to take the medicines for allergic rhinitis as well. Then you have to start your consultation for respiratory problems also. All other activities are also hampered. Sinusitis can also be caused. If an allergy is not under check then nasal polyps can also be caused. Otitis media is one of the major problems. Allergy gets an increase in adenoids as well as tonsils which gives the children turning into snores. Nasal obstruction is also there altogether. Then children start breathing from the nose. It can lead to disturbed sleep pattern also. That also has to be monitored so that children should not land into the complication. Children also have to be taught for proper precautions and proper habits not only the hygienic habits but also we have to tell what all rules they need to follow.

So, this is the brief about allergic rhinitis and if allergic rhinitis is taken care in a proper way, it is a really manageable disease. So to conclude, this is a very common disease. It can be controlled with medications. We need to maintain a good lifestyle. For allergies, there has to be adequate treatment. If it is hampering your lifestyle then you have to take prolonged treatment. For some patients, surgery can also be required for obstructive or other symptoms.

Thank You!