As autumn arrives, rhinitis is reported. How to prevent allergic rhinitis?

Review expert: Yuan Xiandao, deputy chief physician of the Department of Otolaryngology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University

Every time the season changes, I always feel that a lot of people around me have "colds". Their noses are like "faucets" that can't be turned off, with runny noses and a series of sneezes. Their noses are so blocked that they seem to be "cut off from oxygen". By the time they blow their noses and wipe their tears and finally breathe out, they are already exhausted.

Source: pexels

Not only that, bystanders who don't know the truth will inevitably think: "Could this person have a cold? It looks so serious, he won't be able to infect me, right? I don't want that to happen!" As they think this, they automatically move away and silently maintain a safe social distance.

This brought another blow to the victims of allergic rhinitis, making them feel even more frustrated as they already had a stuffy nose. But they had no choice but to wipe their snot and tears while tearing out tissues.

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Now is the time of season change, which is a good opportunity to "vindicate" the victims of allergic rhinitis.

The difference between rhinitis and cold

Allergic rhinitis, whose scientific name is allergic rhinitis, is actually one of many allergic phenomena.

The typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis are mainly paroxysmal sneezing, clear nasal discharge, nasal congestion and nasal itching, some of which are accompanied by allergic symptoms such as loss of smell and cough.

Typical symptoms of the common cold include nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, fever, sneezing, fatigue, and lack of energy. Accompanying symptoms include sore throat, mainly local symptoms, fever and chills.

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It can be seen that the overlap of symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, and sneezing can easily confuse rhinitis with colds. However, even twins have different characteristics, let alone two completely different diseases?

Colds are usually accompanied by fever and general discomfort, and the color of the nasal discharge will gradually change from white to yellow, and the throat will be swollen and sore. Rhinitis will not only not cause fever, but also clear nasal discharge, and there will be no sore throat, but the nose will feel more itchy. In terms of the season of onset, colds are more common in spring and winter, while allergic rhinitis occurs at fixed times or all year round.

The culprit for allergic rhinitis

For patients suffering from severe rhinitis, every attack is a painful experience! So who is the culprit of allergic rhinitis?

As we all know, our human immune system has an "exclusion function" and will identify and judge foreign substances entering the human body. When the immune system believes that the substance is beneficial to the human body and is "its own", it will let it in; if it is judged to be harmful to the human body, the immune system will "attack" and eliminate it.

Pollen under a scanning electron microscope

Source: Wikipedia

Normally, the immune system of a normal person will not react to pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander and other external substances with special inflammation. Under normal circumstances, the nasal mucosa in the nasal cavity protects our respiratory tract, and general pollen and dust will be discharged with the nasal mucus. However, some people with immune system disorders will make mistakes in judgment and regard them as pathogens that harm the body, thus producing corresponding "guards" - antibodies to arrest them.

When antibodies come into contact with these "suspects", a "battle" occurs, and the normal cells in the nasal mucosa suffer heavy casualties, causing symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, and coughing. The nasal mucosa may also become inflamed, which is allergic rhinitis.

The substances that cause inflammation, such as catkins, mites, and pollen, are called allergens.

Cat hair and dander can also become allergens

Source: pixabay

Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why the change of seasons is the peak period for allergic rhinitis. The temperature difference during the change of seasons is large, the cold and hot air alternate, and the fungal spores and dust mites in the air are scattered in the air, especially in spring and autumn, when various pollens and catkins are flying, and the hair of animals is replaced frequently. It can be said that except for rhinitis patients, everything is thriving. These allergens spreading in the air will cause allergic rhinitis when people who are susceptible to allergies come into contact with them.

How to relieve rhinitis symptoms?

Many people think that allergic rhinitis is not that serious, and they feel relieved when they hear that they have rhinitis instead of a cold. They think that rhinitis will not cause fever, and at most it will just cause sneezing and runny nose, and that it doesn't matter whether it is treated or not. However, this idea is actually completely wrong.

Cover your mouth with your elbow when you sneeze

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If allergic rhinitis is not controlled, it will always accompany you to "grow up". In severe cases, it may develop into sinusitis and nasal polyps. Long-term rhinitis may also cause bronchitis, allergic rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If it is not cured for a long time, it may cause allergic asthma. Finally, bad habits caused by rhinitis may cause adenoids. To put it bluntly, it will make you ugly.

But the cruel truth is that allergic rhinitis cannot be completely cured at present, so what should I do to relieve the suffering caused by rhinitis? After all, I don’t want to become ugly at such a young age!

First of all, avoid contact with allergens, the "culprit" that causes allergic reactions. For example, when patients with allergic rhinitis go out in spring and autumn, they should first close the doors and windows, and remember to avoid going to places with high pollen concentrations such as the suburbs and parks when going out. They must also wear masks when necessary.

Secondly, patients with allergic rhinitis should pay attention to their diet, avoid smoking and drinking, and be cautious about seafood, greasy, spicy, cold and raw foods. Once you find that you are allergic to certain foods, you must avoid eating them again to avoid aggravating the condition.

Jogging outdoors is a great way to exercise

Source: pixabay

Finally, the disorder of the immune system also reminds us that we should pay attention to regular exercise, strengthen our physical fitness, improve our immunity, and enhance our ability to adapt to allergic substances. Running, fitness, and aerobics are all good exercises. Long-term persistence will lead to significant results.

If the above methods still cannot alleviate the allergic symptoms, you should seek help from a doctor. After the doctor determines the condition and allergens, he will decide whether medication and immunotherapy are needed. Do not take antibiotics or anti-allergic drugs on your own.

Finally, I hope you and I can be free from the trouble of rhinitis and breathe fresh air freely!