Allergic rhinitis Health Article

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms. Your history of symptoms is important in diagnosing allergic rhinitis, including whether the symptoms vary according to time of day or the season, exposure to pets or other allergens, and diet changes.

Allergy testing may reveal the specific substances that trigger your symptoms. Skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing. This may include prick, patch, or other tests.

If your doctor determines you cannot undergo skin testing, special blood tests may help with the diagnosis.

Treatment

The best treatment is to avoid what causes your allergic symptoms in the first place. It may be impossible to completely avoid all your triggers, but you can often take steps to reduce exposure.

There are many different medications available to treat allergic rhinitis. Which one your doctor prescribes depends on the type and severity of your symptoms, your age, and whether you have other medical conditions (such as asthma).

Specific illnesses that are caused by allergies (such as asthma and eczema) may require other treatments.

Treatments for allergic rhinitis include:

ANTIHISTAMINES

Antihistamines work well for treating allergy symptoms, especially when symptoms do not happen very often or do not last very long.

• Antihistamines taken by mouth can relieve mild to moderate symptoms, but can cause sleepiness. Many may be bought without a prescription. Talk to your doctor before giving these medicines to a child, as they may affect learning.
• Newer antihistamines cause little or no sleepiness. Some are available over the counter. They usually do not interfere with learning. These medications include fexofenadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec).
• Azelastine (Astelin) is a antihistamine nasal spray that is used to treat allergic rhinitis.

CORTICOSTEROIDS

• Nasal corticosteroid sprays are the most effective treatment for allergic rhinitis.
• They work best when used nonstop, but they can also be helpful when used for shorter periods of time.
• Many brands are available. They are safe for children and adults.

DECONGESTANTS

• Decongestants may also be helpful in reducing symptoms such as nasal congestion.
• Nasal spray decongestants should not be used for more than 3 days.

OTHER TREATMENTS

• The leukotriene inhibitor Singulair is a prescription medicine approved to help control asthma and to help relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
• Saline nasal washes, used alone or along with medications, may also be helpful.

ALLERGY SHOTS

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) are occasionally recommended if the allergen cannot be avoided and if symptoms are hard to control. This includes regular injections of the allergen, given in increasing doses (each dose is slightly larger than the previous dose) that may help the body adjust to the antigen.