Rhinitis is an uncomfortable and often embarrassing condition, but it can be treated. The treatment for rhinitis depends on what’s causing it. For example, if the problem is caused by allergies, your doctor will prescribe medicine to reduce your symptoms. For other causes, treatment may involve lifestyle changes or surgery.비염치료병원
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is caused by an immune system response to airborne allergens such as pollen, animal dander and dust. When you breathe these allergens in, your body reacts by releasing histamine. Histamine causes sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. Allergic rhinitis is most common during certain times of the year, such as spring and summer when tree and flower pollens are in the air. It can also be caused by air pollutants or tobacco smoke.
A comprehensive history and physical examination are important for diagnosing allergic rhinitis. Allergen skin testing, which involves placing small amounts of different allergens on the skin (usually the back or arm) and scratching or pricking them to see if you have an allergy, is the most accurate way to confirm that your symptoms are due to allergies. Skin prick tests can be uncomfortable, but they are quick and effective.
You may also need imaging tests to check your sinuses, including a computed tomography (CT) scan or an endoscopy of the nose and sinuses. You can also get a nasal sonogram to look for enlarged tonsils or polyps in the nose.
It’s important to treat rhinitis so it doesn’t make it harder for you to breathe. When your nose is irritated, it can cause you to breathe through the mouth, which makes it harder for your body to warm and filter the air before it goes into your lungs. This can make asthma symptoms worse. Controlling your rhinitis can help manage your asthma.
Many people who have rhinitis try over-the-counter or prescription medications before they seek medical attention. Your health care provider will want to know if these medicines have helped or harmed your symptoms. For example, if you have had a good response to newer second-generation oral antihistamines such as desloratadine [Aerius], fexofenadine [Allegra] or loratadine [Claritin], this is very helpful in confirming the allergic etiology of your symptoms. If these medicines have not worked, or are not well tolerated, your healthcare provider may recommend intranasal corticosteroids or LTRAs. Allergen immunotherapy is also an option if pharmacological therapy fails to control your symptoms. Symptom improvement is often seen within 1 to 2 weeks of starting these treatments. For most people, avoiding the allergens that trigger their rhinitis is all they need to find relief. But this isn’t always possible, especially if you work or spend time outside. You can try to limit your exposure by wearing a mask or staying indoors during peak pollen periods. This will reduce your allergic rhinitis symptoms, but they won’t disappear completely. For more long-term relief, your doctor may suggest immunotherapy. This is an option that will help your immune system become used to the allergens so you can eventually avoid them.라경찬한의원