Allergic rhinitis

• seasonal allergic rhinitis: itchy/itchy nose, leading to sneezing, rhinorrhea (=runny nose) and secretions. Occurs immediately on contact with the allergen and gradually subsides as soon as contact ends
• chronic allergic rhinitis: long-lasting nasal obstruction and secretions caused by a late allergic inflammatory reaction

Etiology

• immediate allergic rhinitis: usually due to pollens (seasonal exposure) or cat hair (occasional exposure)

• chronic allergic rhinitis: usually due to house dust mites or cat hair (chronic exposure)

NB: beware of a non-allergic cause, such as a possible nasal deviation or polyps, inducing mechanical obstruction.

Drug treatment

• nasal spray with anti-histamines, cromoglycates or corticoids
• if necessary, take anti-histamine tablets
• over-the-counter vasoconstrictors are not recommended, as they cause irreversible vascular damage to the nasal mucosa within a few weeks, known as “chronic rhinitis medicamentosa”. What’s more, there’s a “rebound” effect when vasoconstrictors are stopped, making weaning difficult.

Curative treatment

Of course, the etiological treatment for rhinitis is first and foremost allergen avoidance (unfortunately impossible for pollens), followed by allergen vaccination (desensitization).