Rhinitis is a condition that affects the nasal mucosa and causes sneezing, itching, congestion, nasal discharge, and sometimes loss of smell. These symptoms generally occur on two or more consecutive days and for more than an hour on most days.
Allergic rhinitis is the most common form of non-infectious rhinitis. It is not synonymous with asthma, though it can be an indicator that the affected person has a predisposition to develop later symptoms (dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, etc.), which are characteristic of bronchial hyperreactivity. In addition, the repeated occurrence of rhinitis should be a reason for a specialist's consultation to examine and take preventive measures to avoid the onset of asthma or to begin early treatment for asthma.
Causes
It is more common in patients with personal atopy or those who live in areas with higher pollution rates or are exposed to tobacco smoke. The main factor causing rhinitis is aeroallergens, which are generally classified as indoor, outdoor, and occupational agents. In the first case, dust mites (parasites smaller than the tip of a pin, found in large numbers in mattresses and carpets) as well as saliva, epithelial cells, or urine from animals (cats, dogs, hamsters) are the most important.
Outdoor agents include certain species of atmospheric fungi and pollen. According to experts, the most allergenic are those from grasses, weeds like mugwort, ragweed, and parietaria, and some trees (olive, cypress, sycamore, or birch).
Lastly, occupational rhinitis occurs in response to an airborne agent present at the workplace. It can be caused by an allergic reaction or an irritation response. Common agents include cereal flours (bakers, precooked food industry, feed factories, etc.), proteolytic enzymes (detergent, pharmaceutical, flour factories), and tropical woods.
Symptoms
- Seasonal rhinitis appears with the arrival of pollen. Affected individuals may notice itching in the nose, palate, back of the throat, and eyes, which starts gradually or suddenly. Patients generally have watery eyes, sneezing, and clear watery discharge from the nose.
- Some people may experience headaches, cough, and wheezing. They may also be irritable and depressed, lose their appetite, and have difficulty sleeping.
- If rhinitis is accompanied by conjunctivitis, patients may also experience eye itching, tearing, and swollen, red eyes.
Prevention
- The main action to prevent rhinitis is to avoid pollen. The recommendations from the Madrid Health Service are:
Avoid times of the day when pollen levels are highest, especially in the morning.
- Avoid going into fields and staying near parks and green areas.
- When trees, flowers, and mold are blooming, specialists recommend not engaging in outdoor activities.
- Keep windows closed at home to avoid pollen entry. The best time to ventilate is the first hour of the morning.
About Dust Mites
Domestic dust mites are microscopic creatures, invisible to the naked eye. They feed primarily on human and pet dander. Two milligrams of dust mites per gram of dust is enough to sensitize an allergic person, and 10 milligrams per gram of dust can trigger an asthma attack. Dust mites can survive in many places in a home, such as carpets, curtains, pillows, books, and other furniture. More than the mites themselves, it is their feces, shells, and bodies that cause allergic reactions, meaning that even after eliminating them, symptoms may temporarily persist.
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