With the drop in temperatures and drier weather due to autumn, respiratory diseases begin to make their presence felt. And, among the most common, is rhinitis. Its causes can be allergic or due to contamination by microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria. Find out how to identify the condition and what to do to alleviate the symptoms.
Allergy or virus? Know how to identify and what to do with rhinitis
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In fact, trying to differentiate allergic rhinitis from viral rhinitis through symptoms, for example, is usually not very effective. This is because the diseases share the same warning signs: nasal congestion, sneezing and runny nose.
Allergic rhinitis or not?
According to otorhinolaryngologist Dr. Renata Moura, coordinator of Otorhinolaryngology at the Fluminense Medical Association, what will define whether it is allergic rhinitis or not is simply the clinical history.
“What helps to differentiate is the clinical history and exams. This is because, in allergic rhinitis, I will detect through a blood test or the Prick Test (skin sensitivity test) whether there is an allergy to a substance or not”, he states.
She also remembers that the non-allergic condition can be hormonal, medicinal or dietary in nature. “For example, if my nose runs when I’m eating, that’s food-induced rhinitis. If it’s a matter of worsening nasal congestion and runny nose when I’m pregnant, that’s a hormonal condition,” she explains.
Treatment
If the condition for allergic rhinitis is confirmed, treatment can be medication – be it with antihistamines, oral corticosteroids, nasal corticosteroids, nasal lavage and even a vaccine. “In the case of non-allergic patients, there is no possibility of a vaccine, and the best treatment is nasal washing, intranasal corticosteroids and even the use of some type of nasal decongestant. This is because a very typical symptom is a blocked nose”, points out the doctor. .
Rhinitis in children
According to Renata, children tend to have a lot of allergic rhinitis, but diagnosis is only possible around 2 or 3 years of age. “It is worth remembering that they are very sensitive to climate change, sometimes, and to strong-smelling products. This constitutes allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, it is possible to have associated allergic and non-allergic rhinitis”, concludes the otorhinolaryngologist.
