ALLERGIC RHINITIS: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Over the past 50 years, the medical community has witnessed a dramatic increase in allergic diseases (allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis), which has been described by many as an “allergic epidemic”.
Allergic rhinitis in particular is showing a frightening increase and is now estimated to affect 10–20% of the world’s population, making it the most common chronic non-communicable disease. Whether this increase is real or reflects changes in definition and diagnosis is still a matter of debate.
Allergic rhinitis, precisely because of its high prevalence, but also because of its significant socioeconomic cost, is a major public health problem. It significantly affects the quality of life of patients, who are mostly children and young adults. In addition, it causes a significant financial burden on health systems.
Allergic rhinitis can begin at any age. If someone did not have symptoms in childhood or adolescence, it does not mean that they cannot develop an allergy later in life.
The characteristic symptoms of allergic rhinitis, namely runny nose, itching, sneezing and nasal congestion, may also be present in other forms of rhinitis. The chronicity of the symptoms, their seasonal variation and the appearance of symptoms in a specific environment or in contact with a specific allergen, create a strong suspicion of allergic rhinitis.
The allergens that cause allergic rhinitis are usually “innocent” substances in the environment that we all inhale. Pollens from plants and trees, mites, mold spores and animal allergens are the most common causes of allergic rhinitis.
The intensity of the symptoms of rhinitis depends on the amount of allergen that is in the air we breathe. However, other factors, such as pollution, the amount of humidity in the air and airborne dust, seem to affect the severity of allergic rhinitis.
In every case of chronic rhinitis, a check-up by an Specialist Allergist should be performed to determine whether or not allergic sensitization exists. It is very important to clarify whether the rhinitis is of allergic or non-allergic etiology, as the treatment in each case is different.
Unfortunately, we cannot, except in a few cases, avoid the substances that cause allergic rhinitis. Fortunately, however, today we have very effective and safe medications to treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. In addition, for patients with severe symptoms and significant medication use, we have the option of desensitization, a specialized treatment that can permanently rid the body of the allergy.
