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You are here : Healthopedia.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Diseases and Conditions > Nasal Allergies: Prevention & Expectations
      Category : Health Centers > Allergies

Nasal Allergies

Alternate Names : Allergic Rhinitis, Allergic Rhinosinusitis, Hay Fever

Nasal Allergies | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring | Attribution


What can be done to prevent the condition?

Many allergens are present in the air, so it may be very difficult for some people to prevent nasal allergies.

  • If a person's allergies are triggered by cats or specific animals, it is important to keep the animals out of the home.
  • People who suffer from dust or dust mite allergies can benefit from having wood floors. They can use airtight pillow and mattress covers. Persons with severe nasal allergies may consider moving to a drier climate.
  • People with nasal allergies should avoid tobacco smoke.
  • Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine, can block the symptoms. Nasal steroid sprays, such as cromolyn, help to stop mast cells from releasing their substances. Nasal steroids stop the mast cell from discharging and thus prevent early symptoms.

    What are the long-term effects of the condition?

    Most of the long-term effects occur in those who have prolonged or frequent periods of allergic disease. The presence of allergic rhinitis increases the risk of asthma four times. People with chronic allergies, such as those who are sensitive to dust, are more likely to develop chronic long-term symptoms.

    Individuals who have allergic disease for long periods, such as spring through fall, may also develop long-term symptoms. These long-term symptoms include:

  • chronic cough
  • constant nasal congestion
  • excessive, thick nasal mucus
  • facial pain
  • fatigue
  • loss of sense of smell
  • sinus headaches
  • snoring, in persons with chronic nasal congestion
  • Nasal allergies can predispose an individual to sinus infections and asthma. Lost productivity costing billions of dollars per year occurs because of allergic disease.


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    Nasal Allergies: Diagnosis & Tests

     

    Nasal Allergies: Treatment & Monitoring

    Author: Bill Harrison, MD
    Reviewer: Sandy Keefe, RN, MSN
    Date Reviewed: 08/06/01









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    Page Last Updated: 6th April, 2009