Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Allergic Rhinitis?SymptomsCausesTreatmentOutlookWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Allergic Rhinitis?
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Outlook
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
You’re outside enjoying nature or snuggling with your favorite pet when it hits: itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and a stuffy nose. All of these are symptoms ofallergic rhinitis, also known ashay fever.
About 30% of American adults and 40% of kids have allergy symptoms, such as a nose allergy, with sneezing and stuffiness.
This article will explain allergic rhinitis symptoms andcausesand ways to treat it.
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Allergic rhinitis is allergy symptoms that affect the nose, like sneezing, stuffiness, congestion, and decreased sense of smell. These occur when you breathe in something you’re allergic to, like dust, pollen, or pet hair. It can also happen when you eat certain foods.
Types of Allergic Rhinitis
The term allergic rhinitis is often used interchangeably with hay fever. However, hay fever is actually a subtype of allergic rhinitis. There are two types ofnose allergies:
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis occur throughout your nose and the rest of your face. The initial symptoms include:
After exposure to an allergen, you might also experience these symptoms that typically develop a bit later:
Scab in Nose: Causes and Treatment Options
Causes of Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis occurs when the body overreacts to a substance that is harmless to most people, like pollen. If you have allergic rhinitis, your body releases a chemical called histamine when you breathe in an allergen. Histamine is meant to protect the body from harmful substances, but it also causes all the symptoms we associate with allergic rhinitis.
People commonly experience allergic rhinitis after coming into contact with:
Ways to Treat Allergic Rhinitis
Healthcare providers will diagnose allergic rhinitis based on your symptoms. Nose allergy can be treated with lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medications, and prescriptions. The treatment for allergic rhinitis includes:
In most cases, allergic rhinitis is not serious, and symptoms resolve on their own when you’re away from the allergen. However, if you notice any changes to your allergy symptoms you should speak with your healthcare provider. In addition, seek medical attention or call 911 immediately if you have trouble breathing or experiencing any facial, tongue, or neck swelling.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Allergic rhinitis isn’t a dangerous medical condition, but it can have a major impact on your quality of life. If you find yourself sneezing or getting a runny nose frequently, take note of any patterns you notice. Then, speak with your healthcare provider about allergic rhinitis and what treatments might work for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe symptoms of allergic rhinitis last for as long as you’re exposed to the allergen. For people with hay fever, episodes can last weeks or more. If you experience allergic rhinitis, taking an antihistamine can help alleviate symptoms.Allergic rhinitis generally doesn’t have serious side effects. If it’s left untreated it will usually resolve on its own when you are no longer exposed to the allergen. However, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be miserable, so you should talk with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis last for as long as you’re exposed to the allergen. For people with hay fever, episodes can last weeks or more. If you experience allergic rhinitis, taking an antihistamine can help alleviate symptoms.
Allergic rhinitis generally doesn’t have serious side effects. If it’s left untreated it will usually resolve on its own when you are no longer exposed to the allergen. However, the symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be miserable, so you should talk with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Allergy Organization.In-depth review of allergic rhinitis.MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.What is allergic rhinitis?American Family Physician.Nonallergic rhinitis.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Allergy Organization.In-depth review of allergic rhinitis.MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.What is allergic rhinitis?American Family Physician.Nonallergic rhinitis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
World Allergy Organization.In-depth review of allergic rhinitis.MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.What is allergic rhinitis?American Family Physician.Nonallergic rhinitis.
World Allergy Organization.In-depth review of allergic rhinitis.
MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.
American Academy of Family Physicians.What is allergic rhinitis?
American Family Physician.Nonallergic rhinitis.
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