ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Allergic Rhinitis Treatment in Jumeirah, Dubai

Overview

Rhinitis simply means the inflammation of the nasal passages. Allergic rhinitis is caused by a nasal reaction to small airborne particles called allergens, which can provoke an allergic reaction. This reaction is characterized by the activation of inflammatory cells (mast cells and basophils) which produce inflammatory substances that cause the symptoms experienced by the patients. Allergic rhinitis is classified as intermittent if symptoms occur in response to specific exposures (e.g., cats), seasonal if symptoms occur at certain times of the year, or persistent (perennial) if symptoms occur all year-round.

Causes & symptoms:

Common allergens causing seasonal allergic rhinitis are pollens from trees, grass, and weeds as well as spores from fungi and molds. Indoor allergens, including house dust mites, cockroaches, allergens from household furry pets, rodents, and fungi, are most commonly associated with perennial rhinitis, which can be more difficult to treat.

Symptoms include nasal itching or rubbing, runny nose with watery clear mucus, nasal congestion (stuffiness), sneezing, and postnasal drip (the sensation that mucus is draining from the sinuses down the back of the throat). Other symptoms may include itchy or red eyes, sore throat, hoarseness, itching of the throat or ears, mouth breathing, frequent awakening, and others.

Allergic Rhinitis Treatment:

Management of allergic rhinitis combines allergen avoidance and pharmacologic therapy, with allergen immunotherapy added for refractory or severe cases.

Glucocorticoid nasal sprays are presently the most effective single-agent maintenance therapy for allergic rhinitis and cause very few side effects at the recommended doses. They are particularly effective in relieving nasal congestion.  Antihistamines relieve the itching, sneezing, and runny nose of allergic rhinitis, but they do not relieve nasal congestion. Antihistamines are available as nasal spray or oral formulation like tablet or syrup.

Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, are injections given by a physician specialized in allergies to reduce sensitivity to allergens. It is reserved for people with severe allergies who are not responsive to regular allergic rhinitis treatments or in people who cannot avoid the allergen. Allergy shots are only available for common allergens, including pollens, cat and dog dander, dust mites, and molds. The shots contain solutions of the allergen(s) to which the patient is allergic and are made up specifically for the patient. The process of immunotherapy changes the patient’s immune response to the allergens over time. As a result, being exposed to the allergen causes fewer symptoms and may even eliminate symptoms altogether. Immunotherapy can help many people with allergic rhinitis. In children, immunotherapy can also help prevent the development of allergic asthma later in life.  Immunotherapy a long treatment, usually administered for a minimum of three to five years, and it requires strict adherence to the schedule for it to be effective.

Find the top allergic rhinitis management clinic for children in Dubai. Book an appointment today with the allergy specialist at SHAMMA Clinic today!