Allergic Rhinitis

What is allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis (reye-NEYE-tis) is also called hay fever. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the inside of the nose. Some people have allergic rhinitis only at certain times of the year, such as spring or fall. This type is called seasonal allergic rhinitis. Others may have it any time during the year, which is called nonseasonal (or perennial) allergic rhinitis. Treatment may make you feel better but will not cure the problem.

What causes allergic rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is caused by substances in the environment called allergens that can cause allergic reactions in some people. Allergens that may cause seasonal allergic rhinitis are pollen from weeds, grass, and trees. Allergens that may cause nonseasonal allergic rhinitis are house dust, mold, and animal dander (dried skin flakes).

What are the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis?

You may sneeze a lot and have an itchy, runny, or stuffy nose. Your eyes may also be itchy, red, swollen, burning, or watery. Other signs are an itchy throat or coughing. You may also have plugged ears or decreased taste or smell. Symptoms that last a long time can be mistaken for a cold that does not go away. Some people may not sleep well or feel unusually tired during the day. Symptoms can be severe enough to cause learning problems in school age children.

How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?

Your caregiver will ask you questions about your health and the symptoms that you have. He may do skin or blood tests to learn more about possible allergies that you may have.

How is allergic rhinitis treated?

• Avoid allergens: Avoid things that make your symptoms worse. Some things you can do to avoid possible allergens are:
  
  
  • Have someone else do the yard work and mow the lawn.
    
    
  • Change your clothes after you have been outside.
    
    
  • Do not let indoor pets sleep in the bedroom or sit on furniture.
    
    
  • Dry your clothes in a dryer and not on a clothesline outside.
    
    
  • Keep windows and doors closed and use the air conditioner if needed.
    
    
  • Keep your house as clean as possible. Get an air cleaning filter for your house and have all the vents and ducts cleaned. Wearing a facemask while you do the cleaning may be helpful.
    
    
  • Wash bed sheets every week in hot water (hotter than 103 degrees F).
    
    
  • Clean carpets, cloth upholstery, drapes and stuffed toys every week because they collect dust and pollen.
    
    
  • If you smoke, you should quit. It harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. Smoking may also cause rhinitis to get worse. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. It is never too late to quit. Not only will you help yourself but also those around you. If you have trouble quitting, talk to your caregiver about ways to quit. Ask people who live with you to stop smoking.
  
  
• Other treatments: Your caregiver may also suggest ways to rinse out your nose to decrease your symptoms.

What medicines may I need to use to treat allergic rhinitis?

You may need medicines to decrease the symptoms that you have and to keep you from having symptoms later. You may need to use one or more of the following medicines:

• Antihistamines: These medicines work well and quickly to treat most symptoms. Some antihistamines can make you sleepy. If this is a problem, ask your caregiver about antihistamines that do not make you sleepy.
  
  
• Decongestants: These medicines are used to treat a stuffy nose. Do not use decongestant nose sprays for more than a few days because your symptoms may get worse.
  
  
• Nasal corticosteroids: These medicines are used to decrease swelling in the nose.
  
  
• Immunotherapy (allergy shots): These shots may be given if your symptoms do not get better with other medicine. Allergy shots may help your immune system to become resistant (not react) to allergens over time. They may also help to decrease the need for allergic rhinitis medicines in the future.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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