Experts in this article: Wang Qiuyuan, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, MD
looking forward to
looking forward to
The warm spring has finally arrived
However
Facing the sky full of pollen and catkins…
Some people’s troubles also follow
Patients with allergic rhinitis:
Yes, it’s my pain
According to the World Health Organization survey, the global prevalence of allergic rhinitis is 11%, while the average incidence of allergic rhinitis in China is 10% to 15%, so my country is a typical allergic rhinitis country.
In life, because the symptoms of the two are relatively similar, many people mistake allergic rhinitis for a cold and do not receive timely and correct treatment.
What is allergic rhinitis? How can I tell if I have allergic rhinitis? How to alleviate it? After reading this, you will understand!
What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis, also known as allergic rhinitis (Anaphylactic Rhinitis, AR), is a non-infectious inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa. Its pathogenesis often starts from the close contact between allergic individuals and allergens in the skin, mucous membranes, nasal mucosa and other parts. Inflammatory factors such as amines, leukotrienes, and bradykinin are released in local skin, mucous membranes or blood vessels, causing local telangiectasia, increased vascular permeability, smooth muscle contraction and increased glandular secretion. As a result, the body is in a state of allergy, and the typical symptoms such as sneezing, clear nasal discharge, nasal congestion, and nasal itching are manifested in the nose.
So, what are the common allergens?
In fact, for different races and people in different regions, AR allergens are often different. According to research reports, common allergens are mainly insects, pollen, chemical dust, plant fibers, mites, feathers, etc., while AR patients often use one or several allergens as the trigger point to induce the body. Allergic reactions, or from the nasal mucosa, or from the skin and mucous membranes, as long as allergens come into contact with the body, AR may occur.
How to distinguish a cold from allergic rhinitis?
According to the diagnostic criteria described in the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis, the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis should be based on clinical manifestations, allergic history and consistent allergen test results. The diagnosis is based on: 2 or more symptoms such as sneezing, watery mucus, nasal itching and nasal congestion, and the symptoms last for more than 1 hour per day. On physical examination, the nasal mucosa was pale and edematous, and the nasal cavity was watery. Finally, at least one allergen skin prick test (SPT) or serum-specific IgE positivity is required.
To put it simply, there are significant differences in clinical symptoms between colds and AR. Most patients with colds may have symptoms of viremia such as limb pain and soreness, and the symptoms of aversion to cold and fever are also more obvious. The incidence of patients with rhinitis has obvious seasonal and regional characteristics, and is very easy to develop in a certain season or region, and does not have the above-mentioned typical clinical manifestations.
As an auxiliary examination, a complete blood cell analysis can easily and clearly distinguish whether allergic rhinitis or upper respiratory tract infection is caused by the number of eosinophils, and can also judge whether there are allergic factors through allergen screening experiments. exist.
How to relieve allergic rhinitis?
Unfortunately, so far allergic rhinitis cannot be cured, but doctors have various methods to relieve the allergic symptoms of patients.
Among them, drug therapy accounts for a large part of the treatment of allergic rhinitis, including antihistamines such as loratadine and olopatadine, as well as the leukotriene modulator montelukast and mast cell stabilizers Sodium cromoglycate and other immune-regulating drugs, severe cases can also be treated with intranasal glucocorticoid sprays such as budesonide and triamcinolone acetonide.
In addition, the best way for allergic rhinitis patients to reduce the occurrence of rhinitis is to avoid contact with allergens, including maintaining personal hygiene, wearing masks frequently, not keeping pets, and more ventilation.