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Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is an allergic reaction to tiny particles in the air known as allergens. It is mainly associated with a group of symptoms that affect the nose. When a person breathes allergens through his nose or mouth, the body reacts by synthesizing a chemical known as histamine. Symptoms can also develop when you eat foods you are allergic to. Allergic rhinitis can affect people of any age. However, children are more vulnerable to developing seasonal rhinitis, whereas adults are more prone to developing perennial rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis usually occurs when the body's immune system reacts to air-borne irritants. The irritants or allergens are so tiny that a person can easily inhale them. Normally, allergens do not harm, but you might have allergic rhinitis if your immune system considers allergens as intruders. The immune system releases a chemical called histamine to protect your body. As a result, the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and throat become inflamed and itchy. So, allergic rhinitis can result from allergens, including dust mites, grass and weeds pollen, pet dander, and mold spores.

You might confuse allergic rhinitis, common cold, and nonallergic rhinitis because these conditions mostly present similar symptoms. However, allergic rhinitis is nothing but the inflammation of the inner part of the nose caused by allergens. It typically presents with common cold-like symptoms, including sneezing, an itchy nose, red and watery eyes, runny nose, cough, fatigue, malaise, headache, and itchiness in the roof of the mouth.

There is no specific cure or treatment plan for allergic rhinitis, but the symptoms can be eased with nasal sprays and antihistamines. Sometimes, the doctor might recommend immunotherapy to provide long-term relief. Allergic rhinitis occurs due to multiple factors, so the treatment mainly includes liquids, pills, nasal sprays, injections, and eye drops. In addition to medications, it is important to follow lifestyle modifications, avoid allergens or irritants, and use filters to reduce the number of airborne allergens.

You can avail certain prescription drugs for allergic rhinits via iCliniq First. However, please note that we only prescribe specific drugs, and only for eligible patients. For more information on available drug options or your eligibility for them, consult a doctor at iCliniq First.

Many over-the-counter medications are available for allergic rhinitis, but not all need to work. Look for antihistamines because they block the release of histamine, which produces symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Several over-the-counter medications like oral antihistamines, antihistamine nasal sprays, decongestants, and corticosteroids are available to help overcome allergic rhinitis symptoms. However, do not buy everything that contains antihistamines. Instead, consult your doctor to know more about the prescription medications available to treat allergic rhinitis.

The treatment of allergic rhinitis varies according to its severity and the causes. Mild allergic rhinitis can be treated without consulting a doctor. For example, you can avoid foods, places, or other substances that trigger an allergic response. In addition, you can purchase nasal sprays and oral antihistamines without a prescription, but do not use them for more than a week as they can worsen your symptoms. However, if your allergic rhinitis persists even after taking over-the-counter medications, consult your doctor at the earliest to get the exact cause of your problem diagnosed.

Antihistamines are one of the most effective drugs against allergic rhinitis because they inhibit the release of histamine that triggers the symptoms like itchiness and inflammation in the nose, sneezing, and runny nose. Several antihistamines treat allergic rhinities, but studies report that oral H1 antihistamines are the best for allergic rhinitis. These medications mainly include Fexofenadine, Loratadine, and Levocetirizine. They block the H1 receptors, and their onset of action is 15 to 30 minutes.

The patient experiences similar symptoms in allergic rhinitis and common cold. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis are listed below:

• Sneezing.
• Itchiness in the nose.
• Nasal congestion.
• Headache.
• Sinus pain.
• Sore throat.
• Wheezing.
• Respiratory difficulties.

Nasal sprays are of different types and can be used for allergic rhinitis. They work faster than medications and can be used against allergic rhinitis to ease the symptoms. The different types of nasal sprays effective against allergic rhinitis are listed below:

• Decongestant sprays.
• Antihistamine sprays.
• Steroid nasal sprays.
• Cromolyn sodium sprays