Overview
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages caused by an allergic reaction. It is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the United States and affects up to 30 percent of the population. Allergic rhinitis can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. Treatment of allergic rhinitis typically involves avoiding the allergen that triggers the reaction, using medications to reduce the inflammation and symptoms, and immunotherapy.
Medications
The most common medications used to treat allergic rhinitis include antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, and leukotriene modifiers.
Antihistamines are the most commonly used medications for allergic rhinitis. They work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical released by the body during an allergic reaction. Examples of antihistamines include loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), and cetirizine (Zyrtec).
Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. They can be taken orally or as a nasal spray. Examples of corticosteroids include fluticasone (Flonase), mometasone (Nasonex), and triamcinolone (Nasacort).
Decongestants are used to reduce congestion in the nasal passages. They can be taken orally or as a nasal spray. Examples of decongestants include pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine (Sudafed PE).
Leukotriene modifiers are used to reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. They work by blocking the action of leukotrienes, which are chemicals released by the body during an allergic reaction. Examples of leukotriene modifiers include montelukast (Singulair) and zafirlukast (Accolate).
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment used to reduce the body's sensitivity to allergens. It involves gradually introducing small amounts of the allergen to the body over time, which helps the body become less sensitive to the allergen and reduces the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Conclusion
Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic illness that can cause symptoms such as sneezing, itching, runny nose, and congestion. Treatment of allergic rhinitis typically involves avoiding the allergen that triggers the reaction, using medications to reduce the inflammation and symptoms, and immunotherapy. Medications commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis include antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, and leukotriene modifiers. Immunotherapy is also an effective treatment option for allergic rhinitis.
