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What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis, as the name implies, happens when the body comes into contact with some allergenic substance, such as dust, mites, fungi, insects, pollen, animal fur, among others. It occurs because allergens cause inflammation in the nasal mucosa.
What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
The most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are 4:
Sneezing
Nasal congestion and/or obstruction
Clear and abundant coryza (inflammation of the mucous membrane in the nose)
Itchy nose, eyes, and ears
Lacrimation
Allergic rhinitis usually only affects the nose and not the sinuses, and it does not cause a fever. Therefore, if these signs appear soon after contact with an item that causes allergies, it may be allergic rhinitis. 4
How to prevent and treat allergic rhinitis?
To prevent the emergence of rhinitis, the recommendation is to avoid contact with whatever causes the allergy. For that, it is necessary to be extra careful with the cleanliness of the home, avoiding the accumulation of dust, since, in addition to several allergenic substances, it is also home to mites, the microorganisms that are champions in causing the condition. Changing the sheets regularly is also another measure to prevent flare-ups since mites can breed there, as they also feed on the skin fragments present in the fabric. 5
What is sinusitis?
Sinusitis, also called rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the sinuses, as well as the nasal mucosa. Although the inhalation of allergenic substances influences the condition, sinusitis can also occur due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infections. 6
The disease can be either acute, when it lasts for less than 12 weeks, or chronic, when symptoms persist for longer. 6
What are the symptoms of sinusitis? 2
Nasal obstruction
Nasal secretion
Loss or reduced sense of smell
Fever
Facial pressure on affected regions
Fever (more common in cases of acute sinusitis)
How to treat sinusitis
Therefore, to treat viral sinusitis, for example, it is not enough to use antiallergic drugs, as they act in cases where the condition is caused by an allergy. 2
In the case of sinusitis due to bacterial infection, the use of specific antibiotics may be necessary, always under medical advice. In addition, the specialist may recommend short-term use of nasal decongestants, as well as nasal washing with saline solution, such as physiological serum. 2
How do Antihistamines work?
Antihistamines are used by allergy sufferers to relieve allergy symptoms from seasonal and year-round allergies.
1. Li, S., Zhao, CJ., Hua, HL. et al. The association between allergy and sinusitis: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2005–2006. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 17, 135 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13223-021-00642-2
2. Osguthorpe. J.D. Adult Rhinosinusitis: Diagnosis and Management. Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. American Family Physician. 2001 Jan 1;63(1):69-77.
3. AAAAI — American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. Headaches Connected to Allergies and Sinus Problems. Available at: https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/headaches-connected-to-allergies-and-sinus-problem
4. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. Allergic Rhinitis. Available at: https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever-and-sinusitis/allergic-rhinitis-or-hay-fever
5. Fassio, F., Guagnini, F. House dust mite-related respiratory allergies and probiotics: a narrative review. Clinical and Molecular Allergy, Jun 19 - 16: 15. doi: 10.1186/s12948-0180092-9.
6. Brazilian Guidelines on Rhinosinusitis. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. São Paulo - 2008 - vol.74 nº2. Available at: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-72992008000700002. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
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