How to Deal with Nasal Allergies?

In the United States, one out of 5 adults suffers from perennial allergies, seasonal allergies or some form of a nasal allergy. This common immune-mediated allergic condition is found not only in the adult as well as the children populations. However, it is often neglected as many physicians consider allergies as a minor problem. According to the physicians as well as the allied healthcare professionals of KOOLMD, if an allergy remains untreated for a long time, it can get worse over time with a more pronounced and debilitating behavior. Inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane is often referred to as rhinitis. The most common symptoms include sneezing and runny and/or itchy nose, caused by irritation and congestion in the nose. There are two types: allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis. In this article the focus is on the former condition. 

Nasal allergies are also labeled as allergic rhinitis. Although, this condition in of itself may not cause any serious health complications, it however can cause a tremendous amount of sickness, fatigue, annoyance and discomfort experienced by the sufferer. This in turn badly affects the quality of life. It can increase the total number of annual missed workdays, poor performance at the work place, distraction from work and also affect productivity. When we talk about children, it can lead to poor attendance and academic performance in schools. It may also be confused with sinusitis as well as rhinosinusitis and over-treated with unnecessary antibiotics. This can lead to the development of resistant bacteria or superbugs that we are seeing this day and age. However left untreated an allergic rhinitis may eventually convert into a true sinus infection involving the maxillary or frontal sinuses. This may lead to the development of facial pain, nasal congestion and forehead pain or headaches.

According to the top online healthcare consulting provider KOOLMD, nasal allergies may lead to sinus problem for some people. So, it is always better to treat allergies before it gets worse. When it comes to dealing with nasal allergies, it is important to identify and pay attention on the following symptoms, so they are treated timely.  

A runny nose: It triggers when an allergy triggering substance enters into the body via the airways.  This may be certain environmental factor such as certain viruses, bacteria, pollen, fungi, mold, dust or other allergens. 

Headache: Due to the allergy triggering substances, mucus can form behind the forehead, cheeks, and eyes which trigger pain.

Sneezing: Many people suffer from uncontrollable and continued sneezing episodes after encountering allergy triggering substances. 

Red eyes: It is also a common symptom which is annoying but many people tend to ignore it. This may also lead to red and puffy eyes with a continuous and persistent eye discharge.

Pain in the throat: If mucus develops thick, it leads to postnasal drip. You may feel that it drip from the back of your nose into your throat. That sometimes causes a pain in throat.

Most nasal allergies are undertreated and underdiagnosed as many people assume that these symptoms are of common cold. Apart from this, due to the busy working days, they tend to avoid visiting personally a doctor. Especially, when it comes to visit specialists, it is more time consuming to drive to a clinic and wait for your turn. Hence, they tend to neglect the symptoms. 

In this situation, online patient portal is the best platform where you can get valuable medical advice via online medical consultation. The modern advanced telemedicine solutions allows you to access medical care without leaving your home, community, city or country. So, if you don’t have a time to visit doctor, you can consult through online medical consultation and get valuable medical advice which helps you to cope with your allergies.   

According to allergy/Immunology & otorhinolaryngology specialists, a nasal allergy can be triggered due to several substances including many plant pollens, dusts, mold, food, feathers, chemicals, animal dander, household allergens, drugs and environmental pollutants. 

Allergic symptoms can occur seasonally in sufferers but some people also face a type of chronic perennial allergic rhinitis, which leads to a persistent discomfort throughout the year. So it is important to avoid the substance that triggers an allergy. If you are unable to find allergy triggers then it is essential to consult with doctors, who will help you to evaluate allergy problems by applying proper methods and guide you about reducing the exposure to common allergens. This can be done via blood work (RAST panel) or skin allergy tests.