Allergic Rhinitis
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What Is Allergic Rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages, usually associated with watery nasal discharge and itching of the nose and eyes.
When your body comes into contact with an allergen, it releases histamine. This is a natural chemical that is actually intended to defend the body from the allergen. However, this chemical causes many uncomfortable symptoms (allergic rhinitis) that include runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
Types of Allergens
Common allergens that can cause this condition include pollen, dust, animal dander (old skin), cat saliva, and mold.
Pollen is the biggest allergen culprit, especially during certain times of the year. Tree and flower pollen is more prevalent in the spring, while grasses and weeds produce more pollen in the summer and fall months.
Diagnosis
After a medical history, your physician will perform a physical exam. Often, the nasal mucosa (lining of the nose) is pale or violaceous because of the engorged veins. Nasal polyps may be seen. Classic signs of allergic rhinitis may include swelling of the eyelids, injected sclerae (the whites of the eyes may be red), allergic shiners (darkened areas under the lower eyelids thought to result from venous pooling of blood), and extra skin folds in the lower eyelids.
Skin testing may confirm the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Initial skin testing is performed by the prick method. Intradermal testing is performed if results of prick testing are negative.
The most common symptoms of this condition include:
sneezing
runny nose
stuffy nose
itchy nose
coughing
sore throat
itchy and watery eyes
dark under-eye circles
frequent headaches
eczema-type symptoms (extremely dry, itchy skin that often blisters)
hives (red, sometimes itchy, bumps on the skin)
excessive fatigue
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