What Are Allergies?
Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to a substance that is normally harmless, such as pollen, dust mites, mold or pet dander. When these allergens enter the body, the immune system can release chemicals such as histamine, leading to symptoms involving the nose, eyes, throat and respiratory system.
Allergic rhinitis, sometimes called hay fever, is one of the most common forms of allergy and can cause sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, nasal itching and postnasal drainage.
Allergy symptoms may be seasonal, occurring at certain times of the year, or perennial, occurring year-round.
Symptoms of Allergies
Allergies can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Frequent or repetitive sneezing
- Runny nose with clear drainage
- Nasal congestion or stuffiness
- Itchy nose, throat or roof of the mouth
- Watery, itchy or red eyes
- Postnasal drip
- Frequent throat clearing
- Decreased sense of smell
- Sinus pressure or facial discomfort
- Cough related to postnasal drainage
- Symptoms that worsen around specific allergens
Sneezing is often one of the first signs of an allergic reaction. Frequent sneezing accompanied by an itchy nose and clear nasal drainage is particularly common with allergic rhinitis.
Diagnosing Allergies
Diagnosing allergies begins with a detailed medical history and examination. Your provider will ask about your symptoms, when they occur, potential triggers, your home and work environment, medications and previous allergy treatments.
During your evaluation, your provider may examine:
- The nasal passages and nasal lining
- Nasal congestion and swelling
- The appearance of nasal drainage
- The eyes and throat
- The ears and sinuses
- Other signs of allergic inflammation
If the cause of your symptoms is unclear or specific allergens need to be identified, allergy testing may be recommended. Testing can help determine whether you are sensitive to common environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold or animal dander.
Allergy Management
The goal of allergy treatment is to reduce symptoms, control inflammation and improve your quality of life. Treatment is individualized based on your symptoms and specific triggers.
Management may include:
Avoiding Allergens
Identifying and reducing exposure to your specific triggers can help decrease symptoms. Depending on the allergen, this may include keeping windows closed during high-pollen periods, reducing indoor dust and dust mites, controlling household mold or limiting exposure to animals that trigger symptoms.
Medications
Depending on your symptoms, your provider may recommend medications such as:
- Nasal corticosteroid sprays
- Antihistamines
- Saline nasal rinses
- Antihistamine nasal sprays
- Other medications designed to control nasal congestion or allergy symptoms
Your provider can help determine which medications are appropriate and how to use them effectively.
Allergy Immunotherapy
For patients with persistent or difficult-to-control allergies, allergy immunotherapy may be an option. Immunotherapy gradually exposes the immune system to specific allergens to reduce sensitivity over time.
Treatment may involve allergy shots or, for certain allergens, other forms of immunotherapy.
When Should You Be Evaluated?
Consider an allergy evaluation if you experience frequent sneezing, persistent nasal congestion, recurrent runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, or symptoms that interfere with sleep, work, school or daily activities.
If you find yourself repeatedly treating allergy symptoms without lasting relief, identifying the underlying triggers can help create a more effective long-term management plan.
A personalized evaluation can help determine whether allergies are responsible for your symptoms and which combination of allergen avoidance, medication and/or immunotherapy may be right for you.