ALLERGIC RHINITIS

<p>ALLERGIC RHINITIS</p><p>Altered reactivity of nasal mucosa to certain substances resulting in congestion and oedema of nasal moucosa. Allergic reaction in the nose and throat can lead to congestion and inflammation causing nasal polyps, tonsillitis, enlarged adenoids, sinusitis and the middle ear disease. The disease may also coexist with allergic conjunctivitis (characterized by itchy, watery eyes that may also be red or swollen).Inflammation of the lining of the nose, characterized by one or more of the following :</p><p>1.Nasal congestion.</p><p>2.Nasal pruritis .</p><p>3.Rhinorrhea .</p><p>4.Sneezing.</p><p>TYPES OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS:</p><p>1.SEASONAL : <br>Seasonal allergic rhinitis is the exposure to pollens of the grasses, weeds and trees, that are present in the air in a particular season. The condition is also called pollinosis i.e., caused by exposure to pollens.</p><p>A.Pollen:</p><p>April - May = tree pollen</p><p>May - June - early summer = grass pollen</p><p>August - September = weed pollen</p><p>september - October = seasonal mold).</p><p>Spores in outdoors have seasonal variation.</p><p>B.House dust mites:</p><p>- Generally a “perennial” allergen, but may be increased in damp autumn months.</p><p>2.PERENNIAL: <br>Some persons have sneezing and running nose almost all the year round. This conditions is also referred to as “perennial allergic rhinitis”.</p><p>• <br>Fungi/mold:</p><p>- Exposure peaks accompany activities such as harvesting, cutting grass and leaf raking.</p><p>• <br>Pet Dander<br> (cats, dogs):</p><p>• <br>House dust mites:</p><p>- Live in bedding, carpets and upholstery.</p><p>- Dietary preference: human epidermal scales.</p><p>• <br>Cockroaches:</p><p>- Respiratory allergy</p><p>CLINICAL FEATURES</p><p>SYMPTOMS</p><p>A.ACUTE</p><p>- Onset: sudden</p><p>- Nasal itching.</p><p>- Violent paroxysmal sneezing.</p><p>- Profuse clear, watery nasal discharge.</p><p>- Itching and watering of eyes.</p><p>- Headache.</p><p>- Facial pain.</p><p>- General fatigue.</p><p>- Attack lasts for an hour, or intermittently for days.</p><p>B.CHRONIC</p><p>-Persistent nasal stuffiness.</p><p>-Excessive mucoid discharge.</p><p>-Occasional episodes of sneezing and watering from nose.</p><p>DIAGNOSIS:</p><p>• History.</p><p>• Physical exam.</p><p>• Skin prick testing, Nasal smear, etc.</p><p>• Peripheral blood eosinophil counts .</p><p>• Rhinoscopy .</p><p>Homeopathy has constitutional treatment approach for RHINITIS which not only removes present complaints but also prevents recurrence.</p>