Southwest Allergy and Asthma Associates

Allergic Rhinitis

What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever, is swelling or inflammation of the nasal passages, which occurs after breathing in pollen, mold, dust or pet dander to which one may be allergic.

What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
Characteristic symptoms include a runny or stuffy nose, postnasal drainage, itchy eyes, ears, nose or throat and sneezing.  One may also have coughing from mucus in the throat and watery eyes.  Fatigue is frequently present and children with allergic rhinitis may have dark circles under their eyes and what’s called an “allergic salute” from using their hand to push their nose up as they attempt to stop the nasal itching.

What causes allergic rhinitis?
Many seasonal and year round allergens can cause allergic rhinitis, and they can be found both indoors and outdoors.

Perennial (year round) symptoms are frequently triggered by allergens that are in the home such as dust mites, cockroaches, mold spores and animal dander.

Seasonal symptoms may be triggered by tree, grass, weed pollen and airborne mold spores.

Some people may experience symptoms year round with worsening during certain pollen seasons.  Spring is typically associated with tree pollen allergy.  Summer symptoms may be due to grass and weed pollen, with fall symptoms caused by weed pollens.  Mold spores may cause symptoms intermittently through the year.

Allergic rhinitis affects 40 to 50 million people in the United States and may cause significant impairment in their quality of life.

Does allergic rhinitis ever cause other illnesses?
Known associations of allergic rhinitis include asthma, acute and chronic sinusitis, headaches, fatigue, cough and recurrent sore throats.  Children may develop orthodontic problems and altered facial growth from mouth breathing.  Allergy treatment can alleviate the majority of these symptoms.

How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?
We begin with a detailed history including asking whether symptoms vary according to time of day, or the season, exposure to pets and dust or other allergens.  You may be asked about your work and home environments, and your family medical history.  After the medical history a physical exam is performed with special attention to the upper and lower airway.  Often, the nasal lining is pale and purplish from engorged veins.   Swelling of the eyelids, reddened conjunctivae (the whites of the eyes may be red), allergic shiners (dark areas under the lower eyelids) may be present.  The back of the throat may have a cobblestone appearance.  Allergy testing is frequently done to reveal specific allergens that one is reacting to.  We use skin testing, the easiest, most sensitive and least expensive way of making the diagnosis, and the results are available immediately.  In rare cases, it may be necessary to do IgE allergy blood testing for specific allergens.

What treatment choices are available for allergic rhinitis?
The goal of treatment is to reduce the allergy symptoms by using avoidance, medication and immunotherapy or allergy shots if the first two are not successful.

Avoidance may be difficult but there are several ways to lessen exposure.  Seasonal allergens such as tree, grass and weed pollen are difficult to avoid outdoors but one can remain indoors with the windows closed and air conditioning on.  A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter or other filtering unit and frequent a/c filter changes will help filter pollen and mold from indoor air.  Automobile air conditioning filters and re-circulating air assist on the drive to and from work.  Excessive exposure to outdoor mold spores can be prevented by avoiding lawn mowing, leaf raking and gardening.  Outdoor air is most heavily saturated with pollen and mold spores between 5 and 10 am, so outdoor activity during that time should be avoided.

Medication usage depends on the type and severity of symptoms.  Antihistamines have been the main stay of treatment for allergic rhinitis.  The first generation antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and brompheniramine are effective, but their usefulness is limited by sleepiness.  The newer second generation antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine and cetirizine have less sedation and are available over the counter.  Antihistamines may or may not be combined with decongestants, which reduce stuffiness.

Other medications which may be useful in treating allergic rhinitis include nasal sprays.  Steroid nasal sprays are safe and effective and counter act the nasal inflammation.  Corticosteroids are sometimes injected or taken orally, but usually on a short-term basis for extremely severe symptoms.  Topical antihistamine sprays are available by prescription for the acute relief of symptoms.  Oral leukotriene receptor antagonists are available by prescription also to control allergic symptoms.  Topical decongestant sprays should be avoided except for very short periods of time since their protracted use leads to rebound nasal congestion. 

Immunotherapy, known as “allergy shots,” may be recommended for those individuals who don’t respond well to avoidance and medications. Immunotherapy can be very effective in controlling allergic symptoms.  It involves giving gradually increasing doses of the allergen to which the person is allergic, making the immune system less sensitive to that substance.  With the building of resistance to the effects of the allergen, the intensity of symptoms caused by allergen exposure is reduced.  As resistance develops, symptoms will improve.  Allergy injections are usually given at variable intervals over a period of three years.  More treatment options will be available in the near future as more research is taking place.

There are many ways of treating allergies and each person’s treatment must be individualized based on the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms.  A board certified allergy, asthma and immunology specialist is the best person to consult for evaluation of allergic rhinitis symptoms and can assist in formulating the best plan to alleviate the symptoms which are occurring.

From the Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society