Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include blocked nose, runny nose, and watery eyes.
Nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, cough and sore throat – these are common symptoms you’ll experience when you have allergies (otherwise known as allergic rhinitis) or sinusitis. But how do you tell if you have one or the other?
Doctors from the Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group, helps to shed some light on the subject.
What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis occurs when your immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance that has entered your body through the nose, throat or eyes as something harmful. This prompts your immune system to release chemicals such as histamine, which bring about the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis.
House dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, pollen and airborne moulds are the main triggers of allergic rhinitis. They’re also called allergens as they can cause allergic reactions.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) include:
- Blocked nose
- Runny nose
- Watery and itchy eyes
- Sneezing, especially in fits
- Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
“A skin prick test can help identify allergy triggers,” say doctors from the Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.
“In a skin prick test, a special instrument is first used to lightly prick several areas around your forearm. Different types of allergens are then applied onto each scratch area. After 25 minutes, if any one of the scratched areas swells significantly, it is highly possible that you are allergic to that particular allergen.”
Other types of rhinitis
Apart from allergic rhinitis, other less common types of rhinitis include:
1. Atrophic rhinitis
In atrophic rhinitis, the natural mucosal membrane is thinned out and the glands that secrete mucus and participate in mucus clearance are lost. This leads to secondary infections and persistent crusting of the nose.
This is a rare condition that occurs in those who have undergone aggressive surgery to the nasal cavities.
2. Vasomotor rhinitis
Vasomotor rhinitis is a condition where there is chronic rhinitis in the absence of an identifiable allergy.
Dilation of blood vessels in the nose is partly controlled by the autonomic nervous system. It is believed that an oversensitivity of this autonomic nervous system can cause vasomotor rhinitis.
In some cases, the trigger may be a change of temperature or the presence of a chemical stimulant like strong perfume or chemical fumes.
Ref: O17
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