Fore
treatments for allergic Rhinitis
Nasal
Wash
For mild allergic rhinitis, a nasal wash can be helpful for removing mucus from the nose.
A saline solution can be purchased at a drug store or made by mixing one
teaspoon of salt and one pinch of baking soda in a pint of warm water.
The patient leans over the sink head down, pours some solution into the
palm of the hand, and inhales it through the nose one nostril at a time.
The patient spits the remaining solution out and blows the nose gently.
The solution may also be inserted into the nose using a large rubber ear
syringe, available at a pharmacy. Leaning over the sink head down, the
patient inserts only the tip of the syringe into one nostril. He or she
gently squeezes the bulb several times to wash the nasal passage and
then presses the bulb firmly enough so that the solution passes into the
mouth. The process should be repeated in the other nostril. A nasal wash
should be performed several times a day.
Drug
Treatments for Allergic Rhinitis
Most cases of
mild allergic rhinitis require little more than reducing exposure to
allergens, using a nasal wash, and taking mild over-the-counter
remedies. Decongestants relieve nasal congestion and itchy eyes.
Antihistamine tablets relieve sneezing and itching, and can prevent
nasal congestion before an allergy attack. Because seasonal allergies
generally last only a few weeks, most physicians do not recommend more
powerful treatments for children with this condition. One study noted,
however, that if such children also have asthma, intense treatments for
allergic rhinitis may also improve asthmatic symptoms. It is important
for parents to determine if the child is actually under severe distress
and that they are not simply responding to their own anxiety when they
hear the child snorting or snoring. In only some cases are prescription
drugs required. Corticosteroid and cromolyn nasal sprays reduce
inflammation and are effective in treating allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Newer-generation antihistamines are also available by prescription. All
have side effects, some very unpleasant and, in rare cases, serious.
Patients may need to try different drugs until they find one that
relieves symptoms without producing excessively distressing side
effects.
Immunotherapy
(Allergy Shots)
Immunotherapy
(allergy shots) may be given to people over seven whose allergies are
severe and do not respond to medication. They are also safe for pregnant
women with allergies. The object of these shots is to make the immune
system tolerant to the allergen. The most common allergens for which
shots are given are house dust, cat dander, grass pollen, and mold.
Injections of diluted extracts of the allergen are given on a regular
schedule, usually twice a week to weekly at first in increasing doses
until a maintenance dose has been reached. At that time, intervals
between shots can be two to four weeks, and the treatment is continued
for up to five years. It usually takes several months and may take up to
three years to reach a maintenance dose. Patients can experience some
relief within six months; if there is no benefit within 18 months, the
shots should be discontinued. Side effects usually occur within 20
minutes although some can develop up to two hours after the shot is
given. In rare cases, particularly because of excessive doses or if a
patient has a serious lung problem, severe reactions can occur, which
can be life threatening. Injections for ragweed and, possibly, excessive
doses of dust mites, have higher risks for side effects than other
allergy shots. Extreme responses to skin tests may predict who will have
more severe reactions to the shots. People who are wheezing should not
be given immunotherapy. Premedicating patients with antihistamines and
corticosteroids helps reduce the risk of reactions to immunotherapy.
Patients must be monitored closely during this period.Allergy shots are
not a cure but are effective in preventing symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Some experts believe that immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis may help
prevent the development of asthma in some children.
Surgery
Surgery may be
needed for certain cases of mechanical obstruction, such as deviated
septum or polyps.
