Allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis or cold?
Allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis or cold?
Allergic rhinitis, nonallergic or "cellular" rhinitis, and colds: either way, we will have a stuffy, dripping nose, with burst sneezing that can make our lives impossible. How can we tell if we are dealing with a common cold, an emerging allergy, or nonallergic rhinitis?
The first step in finding relief is to find out what causes the symptoms.
Colds and Allergy: the differences
Colds are contagious and are caused by one of more than two hundred existing viruses. In contrast, one cannot be infected with allergy, since the symptoms occur because of a disproportionate reaction of the immune system to allergens. There are many types: from pollen to pet dander. Sneezing in the spring could also be caused by a cold, but in a great many cases, it is the heavy presence of plant and tree pollen, or mold spores, that causes what is known as allergic rhinitis, also called hay fever.
How to tell if you have a cold, allergy or "cellular" rhinitis?
How to tell if it is a cold, spring allergy or cellular rhinitis? Here are some practical tips:
How did the symptoms manifest themselves?
A cold has its own cycle: initially it manifests with a stuffy nose, an irritated and dry throat, and a fever. Later comes sneezing and a dripping nose, with yellow or, in severe cases, green mucus.
Instead, the most common symptoms ofallergy are: repeated sneezing, burning and itching of the eyes and nose, while mucus is usually crystal clear.
How long have the symptoms been occurring?
Colds usually pass in one to two weeks. Allergy symptoms, on the other hand, persist and may even worsen as long as you are exposed to the allergens causing the reaction. For spring allergies, this means as long as six or seven weeks.
Do you have a fever?
If you feel sore, exhausted and feverish, it is most likely a cold.
What about the eyes?
Itchy eyes is one of the most obvious symptoms of allergies, although it can also occur with some types of colds.
Sore throat and cough?
Although allergy symptoms may include a sore throat and cough, these symptoms usually suggest a cold. A cough, on the other hand, could be a sign of asthma, especially in children. A persistent cough can only be correctly diagnosed by a medical specialist, as coughing is also common with other conditions.
How to have a confident diagnosis?
Colds usually have a rapid course and are diagnosed quickly.
Allergy, on the other hand, requires a visit to a medical specialist who can give us an accurate clinical picture and, therefore, a targeted and effective treatment. The otolaryngologist, allergist, pediatrician, and pulmonologist can use diagnostic techniques such as nasal cytology, the prick test (skin allergy tests), rhinomanometry and rhinoscopy (nasal endoscopy) to identify the causes of symptoms and prevent complications over time (rhinosinusitis, polyposis, asthma, etc.).
Only through accurate diagnosis can it be found out whether the symptoms, on the surface, typical of allergy are actually nonallergic rhinitis, such as NARES (nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia), NARESMA (nonallergic rhinitis with eosinophilia and mast cells), NARNE (nonallergic rhinitis with neutrophilia) or NARMA (nonallergic rhinitis with mast cells), also called cellular rhinitis .
1 in 4 rhinitis is non-allergic form, and in addition, there are overlapping forms of rhinitis.
What are the treatments for rhinitis, allergic and nonallergic?
With a thorough diagnosis, one will be able to receive targeted and personalized therapy; to cleanse and soothe the nasal mucosa while promoting breathing, the following are prescribed hypertonic nasal irrigations e with hyaluronic acid, and antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid medications to block symptoms or the onset of allergic reactions.
Nasir - Isotonic and hypertonic nasal irrigation
For the past few years there has existed, especially in the case of severe reactions, such as those caused byasthma, "vaccinations" for allergies: these are immunological therapies with drugs that help treat and even eliminate allergic rhinitis caused by pollen, dust mites, etc., and usually the beneficial effects of the treatment persist for at least 6 years after the therapy is discontinued.
translated and rev. ita by the author
Source: Medical News Today
Read also:
