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HomeTrendingHow To Help Allergies Stuffy Nose

How To Help Allergies Stuffy Nose

How Is Hay Fever Diagnosed

Stuffy Nose | How To Get Rid Of A Stuffy Nose Clear Blocked Nasal Congestion

Your healthcare provider will examine you, ask about your symptoms and evaluate you for other conditions, such as a cold or asthma. To measure your antibodies to specific allergens, your provider may take a blood sample and send it to a lab for testing. This blood test is called an immunoglobulin E test. It can detect all types of allergies, including food allergies.

Your provider may recommend a skin prick test to determine what allergens are causing your symptoms.

Sulfa Vs Sulfite Allergy

A sulfa allergy sounds like a sulfite allergy, but theyâre very different. Sulfa drugs treat health conditions. Sulfites are preservatives used in many foods, drinks , and medications.

Sulfites can trigger asthma symptoms and, on rare occasions, can cause anaphylaxis. Itâs common for people who have asthma to be sensitive to sulfites. But itâs unusual for other people.

Sulfa drugs and sulfites are not related. Neither are their allergies. Thereâs no need to give up dried fruit, wine, or other items that have sulfites if youâre sensitive to sulfa drugs.

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Prescription Treatments For Allergic Rhinitis

If over-the-counter medicines arenât giving you relief, you might need prescription drugs. Prescription treatments for allergic rhinitis include:

Steroid nasal sprays. You already know about the OTC nasal sprays. There are also some versions that need a prescription. âThe great thing about steroid sprays is that with just one medication, you can treat the congestion, the itchiness, and the sneezing,â says Corinna Bowser, MD, an allergist in Pennsylvania. Examples include beclomethasone dipropionate , budesonide , fluticasone propionate , mometasone , and triamcinolone . Budenoside, fluticasone propionate, and triamcinolone are available without a prescription.

If you are concerned about taking a steroid, experts stress that these are very safe drugs. One key advantage of nasal sprays is that they focus the medication on the affected area — in your nose — and deliver with minimal risk instead of circulating it throughout your body.

Prescription antihistamines and decongestants. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription antihistamine pill like desloratadine or levocetirizine . Some prescription antihistamines also contain a decongestant. Azelastine is a nasal spray antihistamine thatâs often used alongside steroid sprays. Antihistamines also come as prescription eye drops.

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Is My Itchy Nose A Symptom Of Coronavirus Is My Itchy Nostrils And Itchy Outside Nose A Covid

An itchy, ticklish nose can be irritating, and, sometimes, it just doesnt go away! Although nasal congestion and a runny nose are symptoms of coronavirus according to the CDC, an itchy nose, itchy outside nose, and itchy nostrils are not common symptoms of coronavirus infection. If, however, your itchy nose or nostrils is accompanied by other symptoms commonly associated with the coronavirus, you may need to consider getting tested to see if you have an active coronavirus infection.

Other symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

  • New loss of taste or smell
  • For more symptoms, please refer to the CDC website.

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Antihistamines Or Allergy Medication

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You may want to take an antihistamine or allergy medication if your nasal congestion results from an allergic reaction. Both types of medications can reduce the swelling in your nasal passages, helping to unclog your sinuses.

Combining drugs containing both an antihistamine and a decongestant can relieve the sinus pressure and swelling caused by allergic reactions.

Follow the instructions for these medications carefully. If you dont, you may make your condition worse. You should also note that antihistamines might make you drowsy. If you arent sure how an antihistamine will affect you, dont take this medication when you need to be active or productive.

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Heed Your Allergy Symptoms

Despite the misery of allergies and their complications, many people donât take the symptoms very seriously.

They donât realize the impact that their allergies have on their lives, especially when added up over years and decades, says Leonard Bielory, MD, an allergy and immunology professor at Rutgers University.

They get used to the congestion, chronic sinus problems, and mouth breathing. They get used to disturbed sleep and fatigue. After a while, they just donât remember what life was like before allergies.

When symptoms get bad, they make do. They grab over-the-counter medicines at random at the drugstore. They make guesses at the cause of their allergies and try to avoid the things they think are their triggers. But they never actually get a diagnosis.

Thereâs a better way. Given the impact that nasal allergies can have on your life, you really need to get proper medical evaluation and treatment.

When To See Your Gp

Visit your GP if the symptoms of allergic rhinitis are disrupting your sleep, preventing you carrying out everyday activities, or adversely affecting your performance at work or school.

A diagnosis of allergic rhinitis will usually be based on your symptoms and any possible triggers you may have noticed. If the cause of your condition is uncertain, you may be referred for allergy testing.

Read more about the complications of allergic rhinitis

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How You Can Treat Allergic Rhinitis Yourself

You can often treat allergic rhinitis without seeing a GP.

If you can, try to avoid the things that trigger your allergies.

A pharmacist can also advise you about medicines that can help, such as:

  • to unblock your nose
  • salt water nasal sprays or solutions to rinse out the inside of your nose

You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than a week as this can make your symptoms worse.

  • Boil a pint of water, then leave it to cool.
  • Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.
  • Wash your hands.
  • Stand over a sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it.
  • Sniff the water into 1 nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.
  • Repeat the first 5 steps up to 3 times a day until your nose feels more comfortable.
  • If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

    Horizontal Nasal Line Indicates Possible Allergy

    Nasal Lavage | How to use nasal Lavage on Kids | Clear Stuffy Nose …

    When children rub their nostrils up and down and wiggle their nose side to side, the movement creates a wrinkle or crease on top of their nose. Often, the line or crease is white or reddish in color. If a child has been dealing with an itchy, sneezy, runny nose for weeks, and we see a horizontal line on the nose, we suspect allergies, explains Dr. Lee. That crease is pretty much exclusive to allergy sufferers who rub their nose.

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    When To See A Doctor

    Most causes of morning congestion should ease up within a week or two, either on their own or with simple lifestyle changes. But if your symptoms arent getting better after 10 to 14 days, see your doctor to have the problem evaluated, Dr. Jang says.

    Pay attention to congestion paired with any of the following red flags, too:

    • Persistent high fever
    • Eye swelling or vision changes
    • Unexplained headaches

    How To Treat And Unclog Your Dogs Stuffy Nose

    We all know how awful having a plugged-up nose is, and the last thing that you want is to watch your dog struggling with one.

    If your dog has been having difficulty breathing through their nose, there could be several causes, so its important to first understand why their nose is clogged up. Is it a cold or allergies? Or is it something else?

    We go over the causes and symptoms of a stuffy nose, how to treat it yourself, and when its necessary to take your dog to the vet.

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    Start With Some Home Remedies For Cold And Allergy Symptoms

    When you start feeling icky, some simple home remedies can provide temporary relief. For starters, try to get more rest. Both allergies and colds can cause tiredness, so listen to your body and take it easy.

    Also, take advantage of saltwater to soothe irritated nasal passages and scratchy or sore throats.

    For your nose, use a neti pot. A neti pot can be picked up at any local drugstore or online, and typically comes with packets to mix with warm, distilled water to create a saltwater solution to pour through your nasal passages.

    For your throat, simply mix a quarter or half teaspoon of table salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Take a sip and gargle for a few seconds like you would with mouthwash. Then spit and repeat until the solution is gone. You can do this a couple times a day.

    When To Contact A Medical Professional

    Home Remedies for Stuffy Nose / Congested Nose / Blocked Nose

    Contact your provider for any of the following:

    • A stuffy nose with swelling of the forehead, eyes, side of the nose, or cheek, or that occurs with blurred vision
    • More throat pain, or white or yellow spots on the tonsils or other parts of the throat
    • Discharge from the nose that has a bad smell, comes from only one side, or is a color other than white or yellow
    • Cough that lasts longer than 10 days, or produces yellow-green or gray mucus
    • Nasal discharge following a head injury
    • Symptoms that last more than 3 weeks
    • Nasal discharge with fever

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    What Are The Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis

    Hay fever symptoms can appear throughout the year. Outdoor allergies are worse in the spring, summer and early fall. In warm weather, weeds and flowers bloom, and pollen counts are higher. Indoor allergies, such as those that result from pet dander and dust mites, can get worse in winter because people spend more time indoors.

    Symptoms of hay fever include:

    • Nasal stuffiness , sneezing and runny nose.
    • Itchy nose, throat and eyes.
    • Headaches, sinus pain and dark circles under the eyes.
    • Increased mucus in the nose and throat.
    • Fatigue and malaise .
    • Sore throat from mucus dripping down the throat .
    • Wheezing, coughing and trouble breathing.

    Causes Of Allergic Rhinitis

    Allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction.

    Common allergies include:

    • pollen from trees, grass and weeds
    • house dust mites
    • animals such as dogs and cats
    • wood dust, flour dust and latex

    You’re more likely to get an allergy if people in your family also have them or conditions such as eczema and asthma.

    Allergic rhinitis is different from non-allergic rhinitis, which is caused by things like having a cold, very hot or cold temperatures and humidity.

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    What Is Allergic Rhinitis

    Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for hay fever or nasal allergies. By definition, allergic rhinitis is swelling of the nasal passages caused by allergens. Its important to note that while many people refer to it as hay fever, it is not caused by hay. Nor does is cause a fever. Allergic rhinitis is triggered by having allergies. You have an allergy when your body overreacts to things that dont cause problems for most people. These things are called allergens.

    There are 2 forms of allergic rhinitis:

    • Seasonal :Caused by an allergy to pollen and/or mold spores in the air. Pollen is the fine powder that comes from flowering plants. It can be carried through the air and is easily inhaled. Symptoms are seasonal and usually occur in spring, late summer, and fall. This is the most common form of allergy.
    • Perennial:Caused by other allergens such as dust mites, pet hair or dander, or mold. Symptoms occur year-round.

    What Is A Sulfa Allergy

    Stuffy Nose from Allergies? What an Allergist recommends.

    A sulfa allergy is a rash or more serious reaction to sulfa drugs. These drugs can treat a range of health problems from eye infections to rheumatoid arthritis .

    Sulfa drugs, also called sulfonamides, include antibiotics as well as other types of drugs. Allergies happen most often with antibiotics. About 3 percent of people have some type of reaction to them.

    Tell your doctor right away if you think youâre having a reaction to a sulfa drug. Theyâll decide whether to take you off the drug and how to treat your symptoms.

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    When Do People Usually Get Hay Fever

    You can have hay fever any time of the year. Seasonal allergies occur in the spring, summer and early fall when trees and weeds bloom and pollen counts are higher. Perennial allergies can happen year-round. They result from irritants that are always around, such as pet dander, cockroaches and dust mites.

    How Is Allergic Rhinitis Treated

    Several allergy medications can improve symptoms and help you live with hay fever. These treatments come in many forms, including liquids, pills, eye drops, nasal sprays and injections. Talk to your provider before taking any medication, especially if youre pregnant or have other health concerns. Your provider may suggest:

    Antihistamines: Antihistamine medications are available with a prescription or over the counter. They work by blocking the histamine that your body releases during an allergic response. Antihistamines come as pills, liquids, eye drops, nasal sprays and inhalers. They include:

    • Levocetirizine .

    Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. Avoid alcohol when taking antihistamines, especially if youre going to drive.

    These medications relieve congestion in the nose and sinuses. You can take decongestants by mouth or use a nasal spray. They include:

    • Afrin® nasal spray.
    • Phenylephrine nasal spray .
    • Pseudoephedrine .

    Corticosteroid nasal sprays: These sprays and inhalers reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms of hay fever. The most common nasal sprays are Flonase®, Nasacort® and Rhinocort®. Side effects include headaches, nasal irritation, nosebleeds and cough.

    Your provider might recommend immunotherapy in the form of a pill that you place under your tongue.

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    Is A Stuffy Nose A Sign Of Covid

    COVID-19 is a viral infection that primarily targets your respiratory passages and lungs. Runny nose, stuffiness of nasal cavity, fever, sore throat and fatigue are symptoms seen in the seasonal cold and COVID-19 infection. While not every case of a stuffy nose points to COVID-19, if you are not sure where the infection came from, you have been in contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 or you experience high fever along with shortness of breath, you should call your doctor to get tested the virus and start treatment if needed.

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    Treating Allergies And Sinusitis

    Diffuser Blends

    Allergies

    • Know your allergy triggers and avoid exposure to them when possible. Board certified allergists at Carolina Asthma and Allergy Center can help to identify the specific things you are allergic to.
    • Over the counter medications including antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays can be effective in controlling mild allergy symptoms. If you are not responding to these medications, your allergist can discuss prescription medications.
    • Some patients benefit from allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots. This involves injections of tiny amounts of the allergens to which you are allergic to help the immune system develop tolerance to them.

    Sinusitis

    • If your symptoms are not responding to allergy treatment and are lasting for more than 7-10 days, you may need further evaluation by your physician. In the meantime, over the counter treatments such as antihistamines, decongestants, and saline sinus rinses can provide symptomatic relief.

    Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center is a regional care center with 15 board certified allergists to serve you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our allergy practices in the Charlotte area.

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    Questions To Ask Your Doctor

    • Could anything else, such as a cold or the flu, be causing my symptoms?
    • How do I figure out what Im allergic to?
    • Is my allergy seasonal?
    • I am allergic to _____. Am I at risk for any other allergies?
    • What changes can I make at home to relieve my symptoms?
    • Will any over-the counter medicines relieve my symptoms?
    • What should I do if my symptoms get worse or dont respond to the treatment youve prescribed?
    • Do I need to see an allergy specialist ?

    Can I Prevent Hay Fever

    There is no way to prevent hay fever, but lifestyle changes can help you live with allergies. You can relieve hay fever symptoms by avoiding irritants as much as possible. To reduce symptoms, you should:

    • Avoid touching your face and rubbing your eyes or nose.
    • Close windows in your home and car during the spring, summer and early fall when pollen counts are higher.
    • Enclose pillows, mattresses and box springs in dust mite covers.
    • Keep pets off couches and beds, and close doors to bedrooms you dont want them to enter.
    • Use filters in your vacuum cleaner and air conditioner to reduce the amount of allergens in the air.
    • Wash your hands often, especially after playing with pets.
    • Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen when youre outside. Change your clothes as soon as you come indoors.

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    What Causes Allergic Rhinitis

    When your body comes into contact with an allergen, it releases histamine, which is a natural chemical that defends your body from the allergen. This chemical can cause allergic rhinitis and its symptoms, including a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.

    In addition to tree pollen, other common allergens include:

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