Runny Nose From Allergies: Symptoms And Treatment
Allergies occur when your body overreacts to a harmless substance called an allergen. A runny nose, along with other nasal symptoms such as stuffiness or sneezing, is typically caused by allergic rhinitiscommonly called hay fever. Allergies often worsen during certain seasons or with changes in the weather. Learn more about how allergies cause a runny nose and how to treat it in this article.
Nasal Allergies And Sinus Problems
Allergy symptoms are bad enough on their own. But in many people, allergic rhinitis can cause or worsen other complications or conditions.
Whatâs the connection between allergies and sinus problems?
Sinuses are hollow pockets in the skull that are connected to the nasal passages. When allergies trigger swelling in the mucous membranes, the inflamed tissue can block off the sinuses. The sinuses canât drain, trapping mucus and air inside. That leads to pain and pressure.
Can I Prevent Hay Fever
There is no way to prevent hay fever, but lifestyle changes can help you live with allergies. You can relieve hay fever symptoms by avoiding irritants as much as possible. To reduce symptoms, you should:
- Avoid touching your face and rubbing your eyes or nose.
- Close windows in your home and car during the spring, summer and early fall when pollen counts are higher.
- Enclose pillows, mattresses and box springs in dust mite covers.
- Keep pets off couches and beds, and close doors to bedrooms you dont want them to enter.
- Use filters in your vacuum cleaner and air conditioner to reduce the amount of allergens in the air.
- Wash your hands often, especially after playing with pets.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen when youre outside. Change your clothes as soon as you come indoors.
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How To Prevent Allergies From Developing
Reducing exposure to the dusty atmosphere is the best solution that can be offered to a person suffering from indoor allergy and sinusitis infections.
But since getting rid of a dusty atmosphere completely is almost impossible for us today, this may not be a viable solution for all.
Here are additionally useful and controllable tips that can help you prevent allergies in a more effective way:
- Keep your bedroom dry and clean. Encase your pillow and beds with mite-proof material.
- Keep the allergic patient away from the place that is being cleaned.
- If you are the person affected by allergy and has to do the cleaning yourself, use a face mask to safeguard your breath.
- Pets at home are also the main cause of spreading allergies keep them away from your bedroom if you are allergic.
- Maintain a proper humidity level in your house or office. Do not let mites grow in too much humidity and control the growth of bacteria and viruses in dry air.
- Using home appliances like a vacuum cleaner, purifier and humidifier might help in removing the certain quantity of mites and should be considered.
- Install a high-quality filter in your air conditioning, air purifiers, humidifier sets, and heating apparatus.
Above all, Anti Allergen Spray or Allergen Blocker can also be used for getting rid of all types of dust particles that are known to trigger allergy symptoms.
Consumer FAQs
Can a humidifier cause allergy?Is a dehumidifier good for sinus problems?
The 8 Best Teas For Congestion Plus Home Remedies To Try Today
Having clogged sinuses can feel hellish. Whether your sinus problems are caused by a sinus infection, sinusitis, the common cold, or allergies, the condition can feel debilitating and exhausting. Fortunately, there are home remedies and herbal teas you can use to help ease congestion and feel better fast. The next time youre feeling stuffed up, try these handy tips and the best tea for congestion and feel like yourself again.
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What Are The Treatments For Allergic Rhinitis
The first and best option is to avoid contact with substances that trigger your nasal allergies . When prevention is not enough, consider using over-the-counter or prescription medicines:
- Antihistamines are taken by mouth or as a nasal spray. They can relieve sneezing and itching in the nose and eyes. They also reduce a runny nose and, to a lesser extent, nasal stuffiness.
- are taken by mouth or as a nasal spray or drops. They help shrink the lining of the nasal passages which relieves nasal stuffiness. These nose drops and sprays should be taken short-term.
- Nasal corticosteroids are used in nasal spray form. They reduce inflammation in the nose and block allergic reactions. They are the most effective medicine type for allergic rhinitis because they can reduce all symptoms, including nasal congestion. Nasal corticosteroids have few side effects.
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists block the action of important chemical messengers other than histamine that are involved in allergic reactions.
- Cromolyn sodium is a nasal spray that blocks the release of chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, including histamine and leukotrienes. This medicine has few side effects, but you must take it four times a day.
Nasal allergy symptoms may disappear completely when the allergen is removed or after the allergy is treated. Talk to your pharmacist and health care provider about what is best for you.
What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of Sinusitis
When you have a sinus infection, you often have to go through your day in pain and in a fog. Sinusitis, or infection of the sinuses, is incredibly common, but many people suffer through it rather than get it treated. At Asthma Allergy Centre in Tigard, McMinnville, or Beaver, OR, we use a variety of sinus management treatments to reduce the inflammation and immune response that are likely behind your sinus problems. Check out on how to get rid of sinusitis.
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Sinusitis Can Be Acute Or Chronic
There are two types of sinusitis:
- Acute sinusitis can last for up to three weeks, and is caused by bacterial infection in most cases. This usually occurs as a secondary complication of a viral respiratory infection such as the common cold, or as a result of untreated allergies.
- Chronic sinusitis can last more than three weeks. This may be caused by bacterial infection, or more often, it is a chronic inflammatory disorder similar to bronchial asthma. Chronic sinusitis can last for months or years if not treated. Allergies, structural problems or immune system problems may lead to chronic sinusitis.
Top 5 Essential Oils For Allergies
Over the last 50 years, the rise in prevalence of allergic diseases and disorders has continued in the industrialized world. Allergic rhinitis, the medical term for hay fever and whats behind the unpleasant seasonal allergy symptoms we all know so well, develops when the bodys immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something in the environment.
Today, 40 to 60 million Americans are affected by allergic rhinitis and the numbers continue to grow, especially in children. When left untreated, allergies can cause blocked and runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, headaches and an impaired sense of smell but this is in less severe cases. For some people, allergies can be life threatening, leading to inflammation and shortness of breath.
People who suffer from allergies are often told to avoid triggers, but that is nearly impossible when the seasons are changing and our immune systems are impaired by the food industry and environmental toxins. And some allergy meds are linked to dementia and other scary health effects, too. Thankfully, some powerful essential oils serve as a natural and safe way to treat the symptoms of allergies and boost our immune systems. These essential oils for allergies have the ability to chemically support the body and help it to overcome hypersensitivity.
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How To Tell If You Have An Actual Sinus Infection
Even though we often say we have a sinus infection even if its just inflammation or an allergic response, there are symptoms of an actual infection that may be treatable with antibiotics. Nasal congestion and pain under the eyes or around the temples are, of course, main symptoms, but others include the loss of the sense of smell, green nasal discharge, mucus dripping down your throat, cough, fever, fatigue, sore throat, and even bad breath.
Sometimes, a sinus infection will clear up without intervention, but if you develop a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, have your symptoms for 10 or more days, notice that your symptoms are getting worse and are not improved by OTC medications, or you have multiple infections in a years time, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Ten Ways To Control Allergies Without Medication
The best way to control allergies without medication is to avoid them altogether, but thats not always possible, or realistic. Some allergens like pollen are tiny, which means they can travel long distances and cover a lot of ground, surfaces, skin and hair. So, unless you have severe allergy symptoms that require medication, there are a lot of ways you can alleviate your symptoms and get back to doing the things you love, including:
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Understand The Workings Of Allergy Meds
Antihistamines like Allegra and Claritin for instance as well as Zyrtec are marked with a D such as in Allegra-D. This tells you that it is an antihistamine with a decongestant which is known as pseudoephedrine.
In the United States, these drugs have to be bought from a pharmacist with a government ID. Zyrtec, Allegra and Claritin are all antihistamines, they all have different active ingredients but they all belong to the same family of drugs. Theyre non-sedating and very effective.
There are low-cost allergy generics available in various formulations tablet form, liquid form, and chewables all available without a prescription.
You cant really answer this question, which is the best allergy med? An allergist and professor, Dr Ein, gives advice on the matter, saying its the one that gives YOU the greatest relief with the fewest side effects at the lowest price. If one antihistamine isnt working for you, try another one.
About The Parts System:
Parts are simply any unit of measurement you choose. If you want to make a small amount of herbal tea, then use a small part, like a teaspoon or tablespoon. If you want to make plenty to have ready to go, use a larger part, like 1/4 cup. I even know some herbalists who sell their teas who use cup or pint measures!
This is a folk herbalist system, and its the way I love to blend and formulate my teas.
You might be interested in How to Formulate Your Own Herbal Tea.
Hey! If you are interested in learning more about blending your very own tea formulations for health and pleasure, you have to check out my eBook! It includes many of my most popular tea blends to get you started, too! Another option for empowering your familys health is my course, The Confident Family Herbalist!
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Teas And Herbal Teas To Survive The Allergy Season
Whether its called seasonal allergies, allergic rhinitis or hay fever, immune reactions affect almost a quarter of the Canadian population during the allergy season, between April and August. Many people turn to antihistamines sold in pharmacies to relieve their symptoms. However, there is an effective, natural and delicious solution to fight these reactions in your kitchen.
Here are 8 types of teas and herbal teas to help you with the allergy season !
Allergy Medicine Treating The Bodys Adverse Reaction To A Substance
A good percentage of the worlds population is affected by an allergy.
An allergy is the bodys reaction to a substance that doesnt cause much harm to other people, but it does to you. These allergens include dust, pollen, chemicals, foods, animal fur and insect stings.
Allergic reactions include:
- Skin rashes dermatitis, hives
- Excessive sweating
- Bloated stomach, intestinal disturbances, and others. In rare instances, the immune systems react so strongly to the offending substance that death occurs. The most deadly reaction occurs when the allergen gets into the bloodstream and causes an anaphylactic reaction respiratory distress, severe itching, and shock.
Allergies can be debilitating and sinusitis is often so painful it can lead to time off from work. Acute sinusitis will develop quickly and lasts up to 10 days while chronic sinusitis is a long-term inflammation of the sinuses.
In adults, chronic sinusitis can lead to nasal swelling. Allergies cause histamine to be released and this causes the inner lining of the nose to swell and prevent sinus drainage. People with asthma and immune system problems develop chronic sinusitis more often than others.
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Sinus Pain And Inflammation
Sinatrol contains n-acetyl cysteine, thyme, and bromelain, which help the body clear airway passages by thinning mucus secretions. Think of them as natural forms of Mucinex®. The turmeric and licorice root extract in Sinatrol help reduce sinus inflammation and strengthen the immune system so that it is not overwhelmed by excess pollen or mold.
Dosage: We recommend clients take the recommended dosage of 3 capsules per day.
How Is Allergy A Risk Factor For Developing Sinusitis
Allergy can cause chronic inflammation of the sinus and mucus linings. This inflammation prevents the usual clearance of bacteria from the sinus cavity, increasing the chances of developing secondary bacterial sinusitis. If you test positive for allergies, your doctor can advise on appropriate measures and/or prescribe medications to control them, thereby reducing the risk of developing a sinus infection.
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What Home Remedies Help Soothe Sinus Infection Or Sinusitis Symptoms
Sinus infections caused by viruses can use home treatments such as pain and fever medications , decongestants, and mucolytics. In addition, some health care professionals suggest nasal irrigation or a sinus rinse solution to help relieve symptoms of sinus infections, even chronic sinusitis symptoms. This irrigation is accomplished with a “Neti-Pot” or a sinus rinse kit . The last reference of this article shows a video of a sinus rinse procedure. In 2012, the FDA issued a warning about the use of Neti-Pots. The FDA cautions people not to use untreated tap water for rinsing, as contaminated tap water rinses lead to two deaths.
Bacterial and fungal sinus infections usually require antibiotic or antifungal therapy so home treatments without them are often not successful. However, some authors suggest home treatments may reduce symptoms after medical therapy has begun some healthcare professionals recommend nasal irrigation after sinus surgery.
Cayenne Pepper For Allergies Colds Asthma Sinus
Sinusitis. One of the more frequent complaints among Americans is sinus problems. This problem is often generated by the common allergies from milk, wheat, ragweed, pollen and the irritation of air pollution. Many Americans develop sinus congestion or continuous sinus flow. Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal mucus membranes, which is related to sinusitis and also very common. Cayenne may be able to help. Researchers found that painting a capsaicin solution on the nasal membranes in the nose eventually was able to cure chronic rhinitis. This medically supervised procedure may be uncomfortable, but it may also be worth the effort. As an alternative to painting your sinus regions with capsaicin ointment, try taking 2 capsules of cayenne powder with lunch and dinner.
A favorite herbalists remedy for sinusitis is to mix 1/4 teaspoon each of cayenne powder and garlic powder in with a bowl of hot chicken soup. Drink it down with gusto. Usually relieves the stuffy nose and sneezing.
Allergies. One of the most common symptoms in the world is upper respiratory allergic responsessneezing, itchy eyes, runny or plugged up nose, wheezing and coughing. Cayenne may help. Capsicum acts as an antagonist to the kinins and tachykinins that trigger allergic and asthmatic responses. Take 2 capsules of 40,000 heat unit cayenne powder with lunch and dinner. Results should begin within a week.
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Care Advice For Nose Allergies Or Hay Fever