Nasal allergy and its remedial measures
Many residents of certain regions and cities in the world complain of allergic rhinitis, whose symptoms appear in the form of a runny or stuffy nose with nasal itching and sneezing.
How the way to prevent it? What is the treatment?
Dr. Ibtihaj Salih Gharib, a consultant otolaryngologist and allergic rhinitis, holds a fellowship from the British College of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeons and a member of the American Academy and the Saudi Society of Otolaryngology, saying: “It is known that Jeddah is a very humid coastal city in most seasons of the year, This trait makes it easier for biological irritants to reproduce in and out of the home. ” These irritants, of all kinds, cause many forms of allergies, but the most famous of them are:
Seasonal allergies, which begin during certain seasons (from spring to autumn), which are the seasons of plant reproduction, whether weeds, flowers or trees, and the most important symptom of which is nasal runny.
Non-seasonal allergy, which continues throughout the year, and one of the most important symptoms of nasal obstruction.
Allergy triggers take many forms, including
Fungi of all kinds, and their reproduction increases in humid climates.
Domestic dust bugs, which need a temperature of at least 25 degrees Celsius and about 80 percent humidity, so it spreads widely from mid-summer to the end. Bed bugs feed on dead cells falling from the human body during sleep, so we find them abundantly in bed mattresses, furniture and bedroom linens.
Some animals and birds, such as poultry, cats, dogs, sheep, rabbits, and horses may cause allergies.
Some types of medicines. We find some people are allergic to aspirin, for example, which there is little in common food packages.
Insects, such as cockroaches and others, may cause irritation of the mucous membranes, which leads to the persistence of allergy symptoms throughout the year.
How does nasal allergy start?
The irritant reaches the mucous membranes lining the nose during close periods, causing several reactions in the nasal mucosa, which leads to an increase in the number of antibodies in the mucous membranes as a normal response from a healthy body, but in large quantities.
When a person is exposed to the irritant again in a much smaller amount than the first time, it results in the secretion of a huge amount of (E) antibodies, and these bodies in turn interact with some resistance cells and break them down, resulting in the leakage of histamine from the destroyed cells, and this substance ( In addition to other similar substances) that cause the symptoms of allergies (such as irritation, itching, runny nose, enlarged corneas and sneezing).
Allergy is diagnosed and the irritant is identified by conducting several allergy tests, some of which are through the skin, and some are by taking a sample from the patient''s blood to estimate the presence of antibodies.
treatment
First: Stay away from nasal irritants as much as possible, by doing the following
Do not be exposed to dust.
Stay away from poultry, animals, and domestic birds.
Get rid of pile rugs and replace them with smooth tiles or marble.
Clean air conditioners regularly.
Using soft or metallic curtains instead of velvet curtains.
Change bed sheets and pillows frequently and sterilize them.
Use special sprays in the bedrooms to get rid of bed bugs and sheets.
Stop using allergy-causing medications such as aspirin and others.
Avoid chemical irritants, such as chlorox, flash, strong perfumes, and incense.
Second: Cleaning the nose with a salt solution to get rid of nasal irritants stuck in the mucous membranes.
Third: Use a preventive "sodium cromoglycate" nasal spray before the start of the allergy season (for people who suffer from seasonal allergies).
Fourth: The use of anti-allergic drugs and many types, including topical, in the form of nasal sprays, and some that are taken in the form of oral tablets.
Fifthly: the use of cortisone pills orally, and this method is not given until after making sure that the patient is free from some diseases that may get worse when using this treatment, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
It should also be given only by a specialist doctor and for a limited period.
Sixth: surgical procedures, which include
Cauterization or partial resection of the nasal cornea, in order to remove nasal obstruction.
Cutting the nerve related to nasal reactions, but this method has not proven its usefulness in the long term.
Seventh: Desensitization. This method is only useful when the irritant is known, and when there is a limited number of irritants.
Also, this method should not be performed during pregnancy or during an acute asthma attack.
It should also be noted that this method interferes with the use of some stress drugs and adrenaline.
The vaccine may also cause severe allergic shock.
Therefore, it is forbidden to perform this method except in a very specialized clinic that contains all means of biological resuscitation, and by a specialist doctor only.
Finally, we must note that the treatment of nasal allergies depends first and foremost on the patient’s cooperation with the doctor in following the prevention methods, and then taking the treatment in the right way, according to the doctor’s instructions.
