ALLERGIC RHINITIS

You might know Allergic rhinitis as hay fever. These types of reactions occur when your body overreacts to allergens like dust, tree pollen, smoke, odor, etc. These allergens only affect a specific group of people. In this condition, you experience an inflammatory burn-in nasal membrane that causes sneezing, nasal itching, congestion, etc. Your immune system considers allergens as harmful substances by mistake. It lasts for weeks, months, or in some conditions, for years, as your body recognizes various allergens as a threat to the body.

Allergens That Cause Hay Fever

Different people suffering from Allergic rhinitis are allergic to different allergens. Your oversensitive immune system sees one or more allergens as harmful to your body. Depending on the allergen causing the reaction, your symptoms can differ from some other patient with the hay fever.

Here are some of the Allergens that cause Allergic rhinitis:

1.    Rag Weed, Grass, and Pollens

One of the most common triggers is tree pollen, which causes pollen allergies and affects allergic patients quite frequently. Pollens cause seasonal allergy. Plants release tiny pollen grains to fertilize during spring, summer, and fall. Pollen powder is easy to inhale as it flies through the wind. Birch, cedar, and oak trees are the producers of the strongest allergy-causing pollens. In addition to these trees, various types of grasses, weed pollen, and ragweed also release pollens that are dangerous for people with allergic rhinitis.

Sagebrush, tumbleweed, and pigweed are some sources of weed pollen. Pollen can cause various symptoms of allergy. An affected person will have a runny nose and excessive mucus production. Sneezing, stuffy nose, watery eyes, dark circles, swelling around eyes, itchy nose, eyes, ear, and mouth are also signs of the allergy. To avoid exposure to pollen, you need to ensure your indoor environment is clean. Make sure you close windows and doors during the pollen season. You should wear a face mask while going out during this season.

2.    Mold

Mold is a type of Fungi. Allergies from molds are seasonal. If you often show signs of hay fever during specific seasons, you might be allergic to spores of mold. Mold usually forms in damp places. A mycotoxin is a toxic component that molds produce and release in the atmosphere. These Mycotoxin spores, when inhaled by allergic rhinitis patients, can cause a lot of trouble to them. An allergy from these spores can cause cough, itchy eyes, nose and throat, dry skin, runny and stuffy nose, etc. Mold infection can severely affect you if you also have asthma. Symptoms of asthma are wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

3.    Animals and Pets

Furry pets contain proteins in skin cells, saliva, and urine. You need to avoid or reduce exposure to the animals if you have a pet allergy. Allergies from pets can also be a result of the dander. When pets shed dead flakes of skin, you need to stay away. Never allow your pets on your bed or carpets if you have allergic rhinitis. You should even avoid wearing clothes that have come in contact with animals that are shedding dander.

4.    Dust and Smoke

Dust mite and smoke can also infect you with this allergy. You should maintain a clean environment around you. Symptoms for allergy to dust and smoke are itchy and watery eyes and nose, continuous sneezing, and stuffy nose. Dust mite lives in your bedding and carpets and feeds on the skin that humans shed every day. Dust mite survives in warm temperatures and high humidity. You might also have these allergic symptoms due to tobacco and fuel smoke. Usually, in polluted areas, people are allergic to smoke. To avoid that, change your environment, and cover your nose and mouth while you are outdoors. Stay away from people who smoke cigarettes.

Conclusion:

It is always important to know the allergens that you are allergic to. The reason why you are suffering from Allergic rhinitis for long periods is that you are unaware of the causes of the condition. If you think you have symptoms of allergic rhinitis, contact an expert NYC Allergist at our allergy offices today. 

Boyan Hadjiev, MD
30 East 40th Street
(Btwn Madison and Park)
Suite 1200
New York, NY 10016
212-319-5282