Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)

Allergy symptoms begin when the body's immune system responds to a foreign substance (antigen). It does this by sending antibodies to the allergen's entry site. The war between the allergen and the antibody causes the release of various chemicals into the blood. Chemical substances also cause allergic disease symptoms.
Allergic rhinitis is a common disease and there has been an increase in the frequency of the disease in Europe in the last 10 years. However, since it is not a life-threatening disease and temporary benefits can be obtained with the drugs taken on recommendation without going to the doctor, the disease is rarely considered as a serious problem.
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, itchy eyes and nose, nasal congestion, and runny nose, and sometimes headache. Some patients may experience hearing problems, sore throat, hoarseness and cough. Allergy complaints last throughout the whole period in some people, while it increases in certain seasons in others.
The complaints of people with seasonal allergic rhinitis or spring fever occur in the spring and autumn months. The most common allergens are grass pollen, tree pollen and weed pollen. House dust mites, mold fungi and animal dander are the most common allergens in those with year-round allergic rhinitis. On the other hand, there are studies showing that air pollution increases allergy complaints. In a study we conducted in Istanbul on this subject, it was determined that allergy complaints were more common in areas with air pollution.

What is an allergen?
Anything can be an allergen. Pollen, foods, fungi, dust, pet dander, chemicals, certain drugs and environmental irritants can cause allergic reactions.
Hay fever is caused by pollen. The most common allergen in Turkey is grass pollen.
There are always some allergens. Such as house dust mite, pets, foods, some chemicals. Symptoms caused by these allergens often increase during the winter when homes are closed.
Mold fungi also cause allergic reactions like pollen. They are found both inside and outside the home. Indoor plants, damp areas, bathrooms are places where fungi can be found.
Colorful or fragrant flowers rarely cause allergies.

Is allergy a serious disease?
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is rarely considered a serious problem because it is not a life-threatening disease and temporary benefits can be obtained with medications taken on recommendation without consulting a doctor. Despite this, allergic rhinitis has significant social, clinical and economic damages. Frequently, half of the patients have symptoms of AR for more than 4 months per year, which impairs their quality of life. Rhinitis also creates an economic problem due to its effects such as loss of work days in adults and school days in children, as well as diagnosis and treatment costs. Allergic rhinitis can also be seen together with other diseases. Asthma, sinusitis, developmental disorders in teeth and mouth structure due to nasal congestion in children, middle ear diseases, conjunctivitis, food allergies can be counted as diseases that can be seen together with allergic rhinitis.

How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?
Questioning is very important and useful in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. The patient's age, in which environments his complaints increase, what drugs he has used before, and especially if there is anyone else in his family with allergies should be asked. Since allergy is a genetic disease, having allergies in other members of the family helps a lot in the diagnosis. In addition, allergic rhinitis is often a disease of children and young adults.
Then, a detailed ear, nose and throat examination should be done. If the patient's questioning and examination findings suggest allergy, allergy tests should be performed. Allergy tests can be done by skin tests or by examining blood allergens.

Nasal examination should be done in detail, especially in people who do not respond to allergy treatment, and it should be investigated whether there is adenoid in children, cartilage curvature in adult patients, nasal polyps, and sinusitis. The accompanying middle ear inflammation, especially in children, should also be investigated. On the other hand, children with frequent otitis media should also be questioned whether they have allergies.
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis can often be confused with sinusitis. Some patients with allergic rhinitis may use antibiotic treatment for years due to the diagnosis of sinusitis. On the other hand, it should be investigated whether there is sinusitis in patients with complaints such as headache and facial pain, greenish nasal discharge, whose allergic rhinitis complaints do not improve despite intensive treatment. shown. Therefore, it is useful to investigate whether allergic rhinitis is present in people with recurrent sinusitis.

Treatment and Prevention
The control of allergic symptoms is achieved by applying more than one treatment method together. Prevention of exposure to allergens, drug therapy and vaccine therapy can be counted among these methods.
The first thing to do is to stay away from the allergen that causes allergic complaints.
Here are some suggestions for removing allergens from your environment:
Change the filters in the air conditioners every month
Keep windows and doors closed during pollen season
Remove plants inside your home
Do not keep furry animals in your home
·Use synthetic ones instead of feather pillows, wool pillows, quilts and bedding.
Do not smoke and do not drink near you

Medication
Another option most commonly used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis is drug therapy. However, it should not be forgotten that as long as the drugs are used, they will be effective on the complaints. When drug therapy is discontinued, allergy symptoms recur in a short time. Those with allergic rhinitis should start taking medication at least 2 weeks before the start of the allergy season.
Since some drugs used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis may cause difficulties in use due to their side effects, it is appropriate to use them in consultation with a specialist doctor. The most commonly used drugs today are antihistamines and steroid sprays.

Vaccination treatment
Vaccination is a cause-oriented treatment method. However, before the vaccine treatment, allergy tests should be performed and treatment should be started with the allergen or allergens that cause the person's complaints. With this treatment method, it is aimed to provide immunity against the allergen in question by applying increasing doses of substances that cause allergic symptoms. While the vaccine treatment was previously done as an injection in the arm, today it is done as a drop on the tongue. Vaccine therapy is a treatment method that is effective for a long time on allergy complaints and continues its effectiveness even after it is terminated. Studies have shown that vaccine treatment can prevent the development of new allergies and reduce the risk of developing asthma in children. However, due to the risks of side effects, vaccine treatment should be performed by experienced people and in well-equipped centers.