ALLERGIC RHINITIS (HAY FEVER)

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Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common diseases of the modern era and its prevalence is rapidly increasing. In a study, it was reported that one in every two people in Europe will have allergic rhinitis after 30 years.

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What is allergic rhinitis?

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Allergic rhinitis is divided into two types: seasonal and perennial. While seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually caused by pollen from grass, trees, lawns, and meadows, allergens such as house dust (mites, dust), mold, fungus, and animal fur mostly cause perennial allergies.

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When do specific allergens cause symptoms?

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Trees mostly cause symptoms in spring, grass and flower pollens in spring and summer, weed pollens in summer and autumn, fungi in summer, dust mites all year round, and pets whenever encountered.

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How is the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis made?

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First of all, a detailed ENT examination is required. The most important step in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is a good understanding of the patient's complaints. After this, endoscopic examination of the inside of the nose is necessary. Allergy tests that can be done from the skin and blood play an important role in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

 

Why did I get allergic rhinitis?

 

Symptoms begin when allergenic substances present in the external environment enter the body, causing complaints in the nose and eyes.

Common substances such as pollen from grass, hay, flowers, grass, animal wool, and fur, cigarette smoke, cosmetic substances, odors, mold fungi, house dust mites are the most commonly seen substances.

In addition to allergenic substances, air pollution, cigarette smoke, hot and cold weather, and climate changes can also exacerbate allergic complaints.

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What happens if allergic rhinitis is not treated?

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If these patients are not treated, they may experience complaints that significantly reduce their quality of life, such as nasal congestion, headaches, recurrent sinusitis, difficulty concentrating, sleep disorders, dental problems, bad breath, frequent pharyngitis, and snoring. Moreover, untreated patients may experience respiratory problems that lead to allergic asthma.

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What is done in the treatment of allergic rhinitis?

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The treatment of allergic rhinitis consists of four stages.

1.Avoiding allergenic substances,

2.Drug therapy,

3.Immunotherapy,

4.Surgical treatment.

It is very important to avoid allergenic substances determined by tests or substances known to exacerbate the patient's complaints. Removing pets from the home, using inorganic covers instead of pillows and quilts containing animal fur, and staying away from known allergens can help reduce allergic reactions.

To reduce allergic reactions, antihistamine tablets and leukotriene antagonists can be used. Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids, antihistamines, and cromolyn can be used to reduce allergic reactions in the nose. Patients who do not benefit from drug therapy and do not have multiple allergies in allergy tests can be given immunotherapy (immunotherapy).

With immunotherapy (vaccination treatment), the goal is to reduce the patient's allergy to a substance by applying increasing doses of the substance the patient is allergic to into the skin or under the tongue. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of vaccination treatment is now being debated.

Patients with allergic rhinitis and during ENT examination, patients with midline bone deviation (septum deviation), polyps (chronic polypoid sinusitis), and growth in nasal concha (concha hypertrophy) can undergo appropriate surgical treatment to reduce their complaints.

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