Chronic Rhinitis (cont.)
How can chronic rhinitis and post-nasal drip be treated?
The treatment is generally directed towards the underlying cause.
Identifying and avoiding allergens
An allergy is an exaggerated "normal
body" inflammatory response to an outside substance. These substances that cause
allergies are called allergens, and typically include:
- pollen,
- mold,
- animal
dander (cats and dogs),
- house dust,
- dust mites and cockroaches, and
- some
foods.
The best treatment is avoidance of these allergens, but in many cases this
may be very difficult if not impossible. Some helpful suggestions include:
- Use a pollen mask when mowing the grass or cleaning the house;
- install an air purifier or at least change the air filters monthly in
heating and air conditioning systems;
- use cotton or synthetic materials such as Dacron in pillows and bedding;
- enclose mattress in plastic;
- consider using a humidifier;
- keep windows closed during high pollen times;
- eliminate house plants; and bathe pets frequently or even give away
dander-producing pets.
Avoidance of nasal irritants: Nasal irritants usually do not lead to the
typical immune response seen with classical allergies, but nevertheless they can
mimic or make allergies worse, as in vasomotor rhinitis. Examples of these
irritants include cigarette smoke, perfume, aerosol sprays, smoke, smog and car
exhaust.
Identifying the possible allergens may be just as hard as avoiding them. In
some, this may be identified by a very careful history taken by their physician.
Details of the patient's possible exposure to allergens or irritant at home or
the workplace may give some clues. In others, even a very detailed history may
not reveal a possible trigger. Therefore, a consultation with an allergy
specialist (allergy and immunologist) may be prudent. The allergy doctor may
perform some simple skin tests to try to identify common environmental
allergies.
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