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ARCHBOLD.ORG
•
SPRING 2016
11
LorraineWilliams, MD
Otolaryngologist
Archbold Ear, Nose, Throat
and Allergy Center
Dr. Williams
recommends
•
Rinse your nasal passages
with saline solution or use
a saline spray to help rid
your nose of allergens every
evening.
•
Try over-the-counter or
prescription medications.
These can include nasal
sprays, antihistamines and
decongestants.
•
Consider allergy shots or
drops (immunotherapy). This
series of shots or drops, given
over a period of time (usually
three to five years), helps
reduce sensitivity to an aller-
gen and may reduce or even
eliminate symptoms. It can be
a good option when medica-
tions aren’t providing relief.
YOUR NOSE KNOWS
when
allergic rhinitis comes to call. This allergic
reaction causes inflammation inside the
nose and sinuses—and those telltale
signs of sneezing, itching, nasal drip-
ping and congestion. So what exactly is
behind that sniffly drip? Here’s what you
need to know.
Invasion alert
According to otolaryngologist Lorraine
Williams, MD, it all starts with the body’s
immune response to an allergen, such as
pollen.
“The immune system tries to fight
the foreign invader,” said Dr. Williams. “A
part of that reaction is the release of a
substance called histamine—the trigger
of those pesky and often persistent nasal
symptoms.”
Dr. Williams said other symptoms that
can crop up include:
•
Watery eyes.
•
Headache.
•
Scratchy throat.
•
Hives.
•
Eczema.
Allergic rhinitis can be seasonal,
meaning it flares up at certain times
of the year. This type is usually caused
by pollens from weeds, grass and trees.
It can also be triggered by spores from
mold or fungi.
Chronic allergic rhinitis can happen
anytime; may last all year; and is caused
by allergens like cockroaches, dust mites,
molds and animal dander.
Several methods can help combat
allergic rhinitis—and it often takes a
combination of methods or medicines to
get the symptoms under control.
“The first step is to figure out what
allergen is causing the problem, and
that’s something your doctor can help
you with,” said Dr. Williams. “Once you’ve
discovered what you’re allergic to, then
do your best to avoid it.”
Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology;
National Institutes of Health
ALLERGIC RHINITIS
Thebig
sneeze