How To Treat Nasal Allergies

Mast Cell Inhibitor Sprays

How they work: Cromolyn sodium sprays, a type of mast cell inhibitor sprays, stabilize mast cells. These cells release histamine, the substance that mediates allergy symptoms.

Some examples: You can purchase cromolyn sodium nasal sprays, such as NasalCrom, over the counter.

Key tips for use: Youll use most cromolyn sodium sprays about once or twice daily. Because they block histamine release, youll do best by starting to use them about 1 or 2 weeks before allergy season in your area starts.

Look Into Alternative Treatments

Some allergy sufferers swear by alternative home remedies for seasonal allergies. These include butterbur , acupuncture, spirulina , stinging nettle, eucalyptus oil, and bromelain . There isn’t too much evidence on these treatments, so it’s best to conduct your own research and consult a doctor with any questions.

Nasal Allergies And Sinus Problems

Allergy symptoms are bad enough on their own. But in many people, allergic rhinitis can cause or worsen other complications or conditions.

Whatâs the connection between allergies and sinus problems?

Sinuses are hollow pockets in the skull that are connected to the nasal passages. When allergies trigger swelling in the mucous membranes, the inflamed tissue can block off the sinuses. The sinuses canât drain, trapping mucus and air inside. That leads to pain and pressure.

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Allergic Rhinitis In Children

Children can develop allergic rhinitis too, and it typically appears before the age of 10. If you notice that your child develops cold-like symptoms at the same time each year, they probably have seasonal allergic rhinitis.

The symptoms in children are similar to those in adults. Children usually develop watery, bloodshot eyes, which is called allergic conjunctivitis. If you notice wheezing or shortness of breath in addition to other symptoms, your child may have also developed asthma.

If you believe your child has allergies, see your doctor. Its important to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.

If your child does have significant seasonal allergies, limit your childs exposure to allergens by keeping them inside when pollen counts are high. Washing their clothes and sheets frequently during allergy season and vacuuming regularly may also be useful. Many different treatments are available to help your childs allergies. However, some medications can cause side effects, even in small doses. Always talk to your doctor before treating your child with any over-the-counter allergy medication.

The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to manage your allergies before your body has a chance to respond to substances adversely. Consider the following preventive measures for the particular allergens youre sensitive to:

What Are The Types Of Rhinitis

There are several types of rhinitis:

• Allergic rhinitis is caused by allergies to substances called allergens.
• Seasonal allergic rhinitis is sometimes called hay fever. But, people with seasonal allergic rhinitis do not have to have a fever and do not have to be exposed to hay to develop this condition. It is an allergic reaction to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds. This type of rhinitis occurs mainly in the spring and fall, when pollen from trees, grasses and weeds are in the air.
• Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens that are present all year long. The primary causes of this type of rhinitis are allergies to dust mites, mold, animal dander and cockroach debris.
• Non-allergic rhinitis is not caused by allergens. Smoke, chemicals or other irritating environmental conditions may provoke non-allergic rhinitis. Hormonal changes, physical defects of the nose and the overuse of nose sprays may also cause it. Sometimes medications cause it. Often, the cause of this type of rhinitis is not well understood. But it is common in patients with non-allergic asthma. The symptoms are similar to allergy symptoms.
• Infectious rhinitis is possibly the most common type of rhinitis. It is also known as the common cold or upper respiratory infection . Colds occur when a cold virus settles into the mucous membranes of the nose and sinus cavities and causes an infection.

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Complementary And Alternative Medicines

Given the popularity of complementary and alternative medicines in the general population, it is reasonable for physicians to ask patients about their use of CAM in a nonjudgmental manner. Given the limited number of well-designed clinical trials examining the efficacy of CAM in allergic rhinitis, it is difficult for clinicians to evaluate these therapies and provide guidance. Nonetheless, since there will be patients who wish to pursue CAM for the management of allergic rhinitis, it is advisable to provide some information about these therapies including a discussion of the lack of high-quality studies evaluating some of these therapies.

Various CAM have been used for the management of allergic rhinitis, including traditional Chinese medicines, acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal therapies . In a number of studies, acupuncture has been shown to provide modest benefits for patients with allergic rhinitis . However, acupuncture is time consuming.

Top 9 Natural Allergy Relief Home Remedies

By Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN

• Risks and Side Effects

According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, one in five people, or an estimated 50 million Americans, suffer from some type of allergies. The chances are high that you or someone you know deals with ongoing allergies, whether seasonal allergies, food allergies or another type, and could use allergy relief at least from time to time.

Most people who struggle to find allergy relief go to the doctor to be treated and/or are routinely given pharmaceuticals ranging from acetaminophens to antihistamines, both of which may actually further aggravate the symptoms they were given for. If you prefer not to take prescriptions to keep your symptoms under a control, what can help allergies at home?

Home remedies for allergies including symptoms like congested sinuses, headaches, and watery or itchy eyes include using frankincense essential oil, eucalyptus oil and quercetin. Below youll learn about nine amazing, all-natural home remedies for allergies that can help provide fast allergy relief.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis In Children

The following are the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Itchy nose, throat, eyes, and ears

• Clear drainage from the nose

Children with year-round allergic rhinitis may also have these symptoms:

• Ear infections that keep coming back

• Poor performance in school

• A line or crease across the bridge of the nose from swiping the nose

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always talk with your childs health care provider for a diagnosis.

What Are The Types Of Allergic Rhinitis

The two types of allergic rhinitis are seasonal and perennial. Seasonal allergies usually occur during the spring and fall season and are typically in response to outdoor allergens like pollen. Perennial allergies can occur year round, or at any time during the year in response to indoor substances, like dust mites and pet dander.

Allergies can affect anyone, but youre more likely to develop allergic rhinitis if there is a history of allergies in your family. Having asthma or atopic eczema can also increase your risk of allergic rhinitis.

Some external factors can trigger or worsen this condition, including:

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Key Points About Allergic Rhinitis In Children

• Rhinitis is a reaction that happens in the eyes, nose, and throat when allergens in the air trigger the release of histamine in the body.

• Common causes of allergic rhinitis include pollen, dust mites, mold, cockroach waste, animal dander, and tobacco smoke.

• Treatment options include avoiding the allergen and medicines to treat your childs symptoms.

No 1 Natural Anti Inflammatory Supplements

Incorporating natural anti-inflammatory products into our diet is fairly easy and these supplements can provide significant health rewards. Natural products, or supplements in the form of pills, are easy to find and can be taken along with a daily multi-vitamin.

They often provide a variety of benefits on top of whats needed to relieve nose allergy.

Fish Oil

The most popular anti-inflammatory is fish oil with omega 3 fatty acid. The omega 3 is a type of fat found in fish oil is said to help with heart disease, anxiety, cancer, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease.

Omega 3 is said to help heart function, skin appearance, and flexibility, joint health among others.

Ive taken 2 fish oil supplements each day for the last few years and although I didnt feel an immediate difference, over time science proves it will improve the overall health of the body. Of course, you can eat more wild-caught fish as well but not all of us want to eat fish every day.

Quercetin

This is an under-the-radar supplement that is completely natural. Its largely found as a plant pigment in vegetables and fruits like red apples, berries, leafy greens, tomatoes, and broccoli.

If you eat lots of veggies you likely already receive quercetin benefits however the antioxidant is also available as a vitamin supplement. Including quercetin in your diet can help reduce the allergic response for inflammation like rhinitis and skin rashes.

Bromelain

Butterbur

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When To Seek Medical Treatment For Allergies

Are your child’s symptoms not letting up? Talk with a doctor, who may be able to diagnose allergies by examining your child and reviewing their medical history. In some cases, the doctor may order some blood or skin tests to make a diagnosis.

Various allergy medications can safely and effectively relieve your child’s symptoms. For example, some antihistamines block the immune system from releasing histamine into the blood, stopping allergic reactions before they start or slowing them down once they have begun. Steroids work to decrease the inflammation caused by the immune reaction these can be in the form of nasal sprays, eyedrops, and pills or liquids taken orally. Allergy shots, the injection of tiny doses of an allergen, are helpful for some patients they work by producing antibodies against the allergen, preventing severe allergic reactions in the future.

Nasal Allergy Treatment Options

Over-the-counter nasal allergy treatment options are available early everywhere! Yes, there are also prescriptions available however, most patients simply treat themselves.

Pediatrician Dr. Kristen Stuppy has written an excellent post about a wide range of allergy treatments, including medications and non-medications. Check out her post for a great summary of nasal allergy treatment options.

I will discuss the different categories for nasal allergy treatment in greater detail, but I wanted to take a minute to remind you that salt water nasal washes are incredibly helpful!

I explain to my patients that we brush our teeth daily to reduce the number of bacteria in our mouths that are ready to damage our teeth. Brushing our teeth is preventative.

This exact same preventative concept applies to saline nose rinses. Cleansing the nose to reduce the number of allergens, bacteria, and viruses is a great way to prevent inflammation which leads to complications.

Nasal mucus has many protective properties, and one of them is to trap foreign substances. Blowing your nose is helpful at removing these particles, but keep salt water sprays available to get a better clean!

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Symptoms Of Nasal Allergies In Children

• Itchy nose, throat, eyes and ears
• Clear discharge from the nose

There is a growing concern of long-term use of dose related side effects of corticosteroids, antihistamines etc. So, there is a growing interest in Ayurvedic herbal remedies for nasal allergies among parents for their children for better clinical efficacy and safety profile.

Top 7 Home Remedies To Treat Nasal Allergies Naturally

The immune system is a complex system. When it is in balance, it does a seamless job of identifying and eliminating potential threats such as bacteria, viruses, dust, smoke, pollution etc. However, sometime our immune system responds too vigorously to a particular substance in the environment that is usually harmless such as pollen, mold, animal dander etc. As a result, there is an experience of uncomfortable symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, coughing, itchy, watery eyes etc.

Nasal allergies affect a large percentage of the population and can significantly limit activity. Although the body can mount allergic responses to many things, including food, medicines, foreign material etc.

Here we will discuss the common phenomenon of nasal allergies.

The symptoms of nasal allergic reaction communicate sensitization to certain antigens in the environment. The initiation of antigen reaction stimulates mast cells to release histamines into the blood which interacts with the blood cells to produce most of the allergy symptoms.

Drugs that block the action of histamine are known as antihistaminic drugs while the drugs preventing mast cells from releasing histamines are considered as anti-allergic drugs.

According to Ayurveda, Mandagni as the root cause of nasal allergies which produces Ama . Therefore, Ayurvedic treatment of nasal allergies include herbal remedies that are deepan, pachan and vishghana in nature.

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Ways On How To Treat Allergic Rhinitis Naturally At Home

Allergic rhinitis is one of the common problems which both adults and children can suffer from. Those who suffer from this problem may feel uncomfortable and annoyed. If someone has serious allergic rhinitis, it will drive them crazy. Thus, if it happens to you, what will you do? Do you take some medicine or try using natural remedies at home? Today, VKool will present to you 17 ways on how to treat allergic rhinitis naturally at home. You ought to read and try applying them at your sweet home to say goodbye allergic rhinitis.

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.

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Itchy Nose And Seasonal Allergies

If a man thinks about his nose at all, he’s likely to think of it as a simple organ of smell. It’s true, of course, that the nose is responsible for the sense of smell, but smell means much more than the ability to enjoy pleasing scents. Because smell contributes importantly to taste, it plays a central role in maintaining good nutrition. Smell can also warn us of dangers ranging from toxic fumes and smoky fires to spoiled food.

Allergic rhinitis can blunt the sense of smell, and it can also interfere with the other important functions of the nose. When your nasal passages are functioning normally, about five to eight quarts of air pass through them each minute. Your nose has the job of conditioning that air before it reaches the sensitive tissue of your lungs. Your nose adds moisture, but to do that, it must produce large amounts of mucus. It also warms the air, with help from a large network of blood vessels. Finally, the nose traps small particles, keeping them out of the lungs.

If you have allergies and your nose traps pollen or other particles to which you are sensitive, an inflammatory process starts right in your nose. Immune system mast cells in the nasal tissue release chemicals such as histamine and leukotrienes. Blood vessels swell, causing nasal congestion, and mucus production soars, creating a runny nose. Just like that, you’ve developed some of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and some of your nose’s normal functions have been compromised.

How Well Do Nasal Sprays For Allergies Work

As a general rule, nasal steroid sprays are the most effective in treating nasal allergy symptoms, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy.

This is because they treat most major symptoms of nasal allergies, such as inflammation, congestion, runny nose, or sneezing.

compared the nasal steroid mometasone furoate with other available steroids on the market. The researchers found mometasone furoate showed better symptom control compared with other steroid nasal spray types.

Examples of comparisons included beclometasone, budesonide, triamcinolone acetonide, and fluticasone propionate.

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Know When To Take Your Allergy Medications

Did you know you can start taking your allergy medication before symptoms even arrive?

While allergy seasons seem to be starting earlier and lasting longer these days, pollen seasons are somewhat predictable. So, start taking allergy medications about two weeks before the allergy season and your symptoms begin. Then, continue taking them regularly throughout the rest of the season. Once inflammation starts, it may take longer to get relief.

Oral antihistamines take about a half hour to get into your system. Bedtime is a good time to take allergy medications. Many last 24 hours, which means theyll be working through the next day.

If Your Nose Is Itching It May Be Allergic Rhinitis

It’s easy to dismiss hay fever as a minor nuisance. But call it by its proper name, allergic rhinitis, and you’ll be on the way to recognizing it as a legitimate medical problem. Add the fact that it affects about one of every five Americans and drains the economy of billions of dollars each year, and you’ll see that it’s an important problem indeed. Fortunately, it’s also a problem that responds very well to treatment.

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