Autumn is the peak season for allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever in most medical books, is a condition characterized by sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, pale and swollen nasal mucosa, caused by an allergic reaction to allergens. In addition to nasal symptoms, it is sometimes accompanied by symptoms such as tearing, facial flushing, and itchy eyes. So how can we combat rhinitis? Let's take a look together!
Tell the difference between a cold and rhinitis
Many patients come to see the doctor saying, "Why does my cold never get better?" In fact, it's not a "cold" but rhinitis.
About 60% of allergic rhinitis patients cannot get the correct diagnosis, which delays the treatment. The following three aspects can help us determine whether it is allergic rhinitis.
1. Different intervals of symptom onset
Cold symptoms often appear several days after exposure to the viral infection, while allergic rhinitis occurs almost immediately after exposure to allergens.
For example, every time you clean the room, you start sneezing and have a runny nose as soon as the dust is stirred up.
2. Different order of symptom appearance
Cold symptoms usually appear one by one, often starting with a sore throat, followed by sneezing, and then a runny nose, with less itching in the eyes and throat.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis appear all at once, such as sneezing, clear runny nose, itchy nose, nasal congestion, etc. The symptoms can be relieved by avoiding allergens, and patients often have a medical history to follow.
3. Different duration of symptoms
If the symptoms last for more than 7-10 days, it is unlikely to be a cold.
Methods for prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis
1. Know your allergies
Knowing your allergies means you must identify the allergens and understand what you are allergic to.
Next, try to avoid contact with allergens as much as possible.
Maintain cleanliness indoors, use a damp cloth to wipe away dust, regularly sunbathe bedding to prevent dust mites and fungal growth, eliminate cockroaches, and avoid keeping birds, poultry, and pets.
Although it may sound frustrating, it is the most important step.
2. Timely treatment with allergy medication
Allergies are not contagious, but there is a genetic predisposition to allergic constitution.
If the father has an allergic constitution, there is a 30% chance of inheritance in the children; if the mother has an allergic constitution, there is a 50% chance of inheritance in the children.
When both parents have an allergic constitution, their children have a 70% chance of inheriting the allergic constitution.
Allergic constitution can also occur among siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.
Children with a family history of allergic diseases tend to have more severe symptoms and more difficult treatment.
Therefore, parents with allergic diseases should seek early treatment to avoid passing it on to the next generation.
3. Comprehensive treatment for allergies
Allergic constitution is like soil that is prone to pests. Using allergy medications is like using insecticides, which have the advantage of immediate effect. However, once the effect of the medication wears off, the "pests" will come back.
In traditional Chinese medicine, rhinitis is called "bi bi". When treating it, it is important to combine anti-allergy medications (Chinese or Western medicine) with individualized adjustments based on specific symptoms and differences in constitution.
