Rhinitis Treatment

Rhinitis treatment consists of avoiding triggers, taking antihistamines and using nasal sprays. Over-the-counter drugs can help control the symptoms, but more serious conditions require medical attention from an allergy specialist. Patients who experience chronic rhinitis should see an allergist, especially if it affects their quality of life. Allergists can perform tests to determine the underlying cause of your Rhinitis. This allows for appropriate treatment that will reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life.비염치료

Allergic rhinitis is most commonly caused by environmental allergens such as pollen, mold and animal dander. It may be seasonal, perennial or persistent (perennial) and can cause itching, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. Allergic rhinitis is also associated with asthma and conjunctivitis. It is often a long-standing condition that goes undiagnosed in the primary care setting. It is important to screen for allergic rhinitis in asthmatic patients since it has been shown that allergy-related rhinitis is present in up to 95% of these patients.

A thorough history and physical examination are required to establish the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Allergen skin testing is considered the primary method for identifying specific allergens that trigger this condition. This test involves placing a drop of a commercial extract of an allergen on the forearm or back and then pricking it with a small device that causes the allergen to penetrate the skin. Within 15-20 minutes, a wheal-and-flare response will occur if the test is positive.

Allergen immunotherapy is an effective immune-modulating treatment for allergic rhinitis. It is usually recommended if pharmacologic therapy with second-generation oral antihistamines and/or intranasal corticosteroids is not effective or cannot be tolerated, or if the patient chooses this form of treatment. Sublingual immunotherapy is a convenient and easy-to-use treatment that involves dissolving immunotherapy pills under the tongue. This type of immunotherapy is only available for certain types of allergies, however.

Nonallergic Rhinitis

Nonallergic rhinitis is less common than allergic rhinitis, but it can be just as unpleasant and disruptive to daily activities. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as infection, medications or irritants and is sometimes referred to as vasomotor rhinitis.

Nonallergic rhinitis is often asymptomatic, but in some cases can be aggravated by colds or sinus infections. It is important to identify the underlying cause and treat the underlying problem in order to improve symptoms. Like with allergic rhinitis, nonallergic treatment includes avoiding triggers and the use of over-the-counter antihistamines. A patient’s response to these medications can provide valuable information about the underlying cause of their rhinitis. For example, a good response to first-generation anticholinergics (e.g., brompheniramine maleate [Dimetane], chlorpheniramine maleate [Chlor-Tripolon] and clemastine) suggests that the inflammation is nonallergic and can be effectively managed with these medications. In addition, patients should be encouraged to monitor their rhinitis and report any changes in their symptoms to their physician.라경찬한의원