Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction that occurs when your immune system overreacts to substances that you have inhaled (often pollen). The two types of allergic rhinitis are seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and perennial allergic rhinitis, which occurs year-round. Hay fever is caused by outdoor allergens, and perennial allergic rhinitis by indoor allergens (such as dust mites, pet dander, mold).

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis resemble a cold, but they are not caused by a virus. When you inhale an allergen, your immune system springs into action, releasing substances known as IgEs into your nasal passages, along with inflammatory chemicals such as histamines. Your nose, sinuses, or eyes may become itchy and congested. Scientists aren't sure what causes your immune system to overreact to an allergen.

Allergic rhinitis is a common condition, affecting about 1 in 5 Americans. Symptoms can be mild or severe. Many people who have allergic rhinitis also have asthma.

Allergic rhinitis can cause many symptoms, including the following:

• Stuffy, runny nose
• Sneezing
• Post-nasal drip
• Red, itchy, and watery eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Itchy mouth, throat, ears, and face
• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Headaches, facial pain or pressure
• Partial loss of hearing, smell, and taste
• Fatigue
• Dark circles under the eyes

The body's immune system is designed to fight harmful substances like bacteria and viruses. But in allergic rhinitis, the immune system overresponds to harmless substances -- like pollen, mold, and pet dander -- and launches an assault. This attack is called an allergic reaction.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction to pollens and spores (depending on the season and area) as they are carried on the wind. Sources include:

• Ragweed -- the most common seasonal allergen (fall)
• Grass pollen (late spring and summer)
• Tree pollen (spring)
• Fungus (mold growing on dead leaves, common in summer)

Year-round allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction to airborne particles from the following:

• Pet dander
• Dust and household mites
• Cockroaches
• Molds growing on wall paper, house plants, carpeting, and upholstery

• Family history of allergies
• Having other allergies, such as food allergies or eczema
• Exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke
• Male gender

Your doctor will ask about your family and personal history of allergy. You may be asked some of the following questions:

• Do symptoms vary according to time of day or the season?
• Do you have a pet?
• Have you made changes to your diet?
• Are you taking any medications?

Your doctor will perform a physical exam. Your doctor may also recommend a skin test to determine what you are allergic to. In a scratch test, for example, small amounts of suspected allergens are applied to the skin with a needle prick or scratch. If there is an allergy, a hive (swollen reddened area) forms within about 20 minutes. Sometimes a blood test may be used to determine which allergens you react to.

In young children, observing behavior is helpful in diagnosis. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis may cause a child to wiggle their nose and push the nose upward with the palm of the hand.

Taking the following steps to reduce your exposure to allergens may prevent symptoms.

If you have hay fever, during days or seasons when airborne allergens are high:

• Stay indoors, and if possible, close the windows.
• Use an air conditioner.
• Avoid using fans that draw in air from outdoors.
• Don't hang laundry outside to dry.
• Bathe or shower and change your clothes after being outside.
• Use a HEPA air filter in your bedroom.

If you have perennial allergic rhinitis:

• Cover your pillows and mattress with dust mite covers.
• Remove carpet.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom.
• Use a HEPA filter on your vacuum.
• Use an air purifier.
• Avoid pets and other triggers.

The best way to reduce symptoms is to avoid or limit your exposure to allergens.

Drugs (such as antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal corticosteroid sprays) may help control symptoms and some complementary, and alternative therapies may also be used to successfully treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Your doctor may recommend desensitization (immunotherapy, or "allergy shots"). This treatment includes regular injections of the allergen, with each dose being slightly larger than the previous dose. Your immune system should gradually get accustomed to the allergen so that it no longer reacts to it.

In addition, certain lifestyle and dietary changes may help prevent or improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Lifestyle

You can take preventive measures to avoid or reduce your symptoms. Although you can't stay indoors during all high pollen and ragweed seasons, avoiding peak exposure times can help. Run your air conditioner in your home and car, and wear a dust mask when working in the yard.

For perennial allergic rhinitis, you can take the following measures.

To reduce mold:

• Clean moldy surfaces. Mold is often found in air conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, swamp coolers, and refrigerator drip pans.
• Use a dehumidifier indoors to reduce humidity to less than 50%.
• Fix water leaks and clean up water damage.
• Ventilate kitchens, bathrooms, and crawl spaces; vent laundry dryers to the outside.
• Put flooring in crawl spaces.
• Avoid carpets and upholstered furniture.
• Wash bedding every week in hot water.
• Keep stuffed toys out of the bedroom.
• Cover pillows and beds with allergen-proof covers.

Medications

Depending on the type of allergic rhinitis you have, your doctor may recommend medication. Perennial allergic rhinitis may require daily medication, and if you have seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) you may start medications a few weeks before the pollen season.

Nasal corticosteroids

These prescription sprays reduce inflammation of the nose and help relieve sneezing, itching, and runny nose. They are most effective at reducing symptoms, although you may not see improvement for a few days to a week after you start using them.

• Beclomethasone (Beconase)
• Fluticasone (Flonase)
• Mometasone (Nasonex)
• Triacinolone (Nasacort)

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are available in both oral and nasal spray forms, and as prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies. Over-the-counter antihistamines are short-acting and can relieve mild-to-moderate symptoms. All work by blocking the release of histamine in your body.

• Over-the-counter antihistamines -- Include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), clemastine (Tavist). These older antihistamines can cause sleepiness. Loratadine (Claritin) does not cause drowsiness.
• Prescription antihistamines -- These medications are longer-acting than over-the-counter antihistamines and are usually taken once a day. They include fexofenadine (Allegra) and cetrizine (Zyrtec).

Decongestants

Many over-the-counter and prescription decongestants are available in tablet or nasal spray form. They are often used with antihistamines.

• Oral and nasal decongestants -- Include Sudafed, Actifed, Afrin, Neo-Synephrin. Some decongestants may contain pseudoephedrine, which can raise blood pressure. People with high blood pressure or enlarged prostate should not take drugs containing pseudoephedrine. Nasal decongestants can cause "rebound congestion," where the nasal passages swell. Avoid using nasal decongestants for more than 3 days in a row, unless specifically instructed by your doctor, and do not use them if you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis.

Leukotreine modifiers

These prescription drugs block the production of leukotreines, which are inflammatory chemicals produced by the body. They are taken once a day and do not cause sleepiness, and are also used to treat allergic asthma. Leukotreine modifiers include montelukast (Singulair) and zafirlukast (Accolate).

Cromolyn sodium (NasalCrom)

This over-the-counter nasal spray prevents the release of histamine and helps relieve swelling and runny nose. It is most effective when taken before symptoms start and may needed to be used several times a day.

Nasal atropine

Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) is a prescription nasal spray that can help relieve a very runny nose. People with glaucoma or an enlarged prostate should not use Atrovent.

• Antihistamine eye drops -- relieve both nasal and eye symptoms; examples include azelastine, olopatadine, ketotifen, and levocabastine
• Decongestant eye drops -- such as phenylephrine and naphazoline
• Combination antihistamine/decongestants

Eye drops may cause stinging or even headache.

Other Treatments

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) are often recommended to anyone 7 years and older who has severe allergy symptoms or who also has asthma. Immunotherapy accustoms the immune system to allergens through regular injections of small doses of an allergen over a long period of time.

Nutrition and Dietary Supplements

Some people with allergic rhinitis also have food allergies. If you have any food allergies, eliminate those items from your diet. Even if you don't have a food allergy, cutting back on foods that may contribute to inflammation (such as meats, dairy products, sugar, and highly processed foods) may improve your symptoms.

• Lactobacillus acidophilus -- One small study suggests that L. acidophilus, a type of "friendly" bacteria, might help reduce allergic reaction to pollen. More study is needed.
• Quercetin -- Quercetin is a flavonoid, a plant pigment responsible for the colors found in fruits and vegetables. In test tubes, it inhibits the production and release of histamine, which causes allergy symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as a runny nose and watery eyes. However, there is not yet much evidence that quercetin would work the same way in humans. More studies are needed.
• Spirulina -- Preliminary test tube and animal studies suggest that spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, may help protect against harmful allergic reactions. Spirulina prevents the release of histamines, which contribute to symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Research on people is needed.
• Vitamin C (2,000 mg per day) -- Vitamin C has antihistamine properties and some preliminary research suggested it might help reduce allergy symptoms. But another placebo-controlled trial failed to show any effect on symptoms.

Herbs

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs only under the supervision of a health care practitioner.

• Butterbur (Petasites hybridus, 500 mg per day) -- Butterbur has been used traditionally to treat asthma and bronchitis and to reduce mucus, and several scientific studies show that it can be helpful. One study of 125 people with hay fever found that an extract of butterbur was as effective as Zyrtec. Another study compared butterbur to Allegra with similar findings. Both studies were small, however, so more research is needed. It hasn't been established whether taking butterbur longer than 12 - 16 weeks is safe. Butterbur can cause stomach upset, headache, and drowsiness. Pregnant and breastfeeding women, and young children, should not take butterbur.
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) -- Goldenseal is sometimes included in herbal remedies for allergic rhinitis. Laboratory studies suggest that berberine, the active ingredient in goldenseal, has antibacterial and immune-enhancing properties. But there is no evidence that it is effective specifically for allergic rhinitis.
• Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica, 600 mg per day for one week) -- Stinging nettle has been used traditionally for treating a variety of conditions, including allergic rhinitis. But studies so far are lacking. Only one small study suggested that stinging nettle might help relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Pregnant women and young children should not take stinging nettle. Talk to your doctor before taking stinging nettle if you take blood pressure medication, anticoagulants (blood thinners), diuretics (water pills),or have diabetes.

Acupuncture

Some evidence suggests that acupuncture may be a useful complementary or alternative treatment option for people with allergic rhinitis, although not all studies have found any benefit. In one study that included 45 people with hay fever, acupuncture was as effective as antihistamines in improving symptoms, and the beneficial effects appeared to last longer. However, a controlled trial that compared acupuncture to placebo (sham acupuncture) found no real benefit. One study suggested that combining acupuncture with traditional Chinese herbs did help relieve symptoms.

Homeopathy

Although few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the treatment of allergic rhinitis symptoms based on their knowledge and experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type -- your physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate treatment for each individual.

• Nux vomica -- for stuffiness with nasal discharge, dry, ticklish, and scraping nasal sensations with watery nasal discharge and a lot of sneezing; an appropriate person for this remedy is irritable and impatient.
• Arsenicum album -- for stuffiness with copious, burning nasal discharge and violent sneezing; an appropriate candidate for Arsenicum feels restless, anxious, and exhausted.
• Allium cepa -- for frequent sneezing, a lot of irritating nasal discharge and tearing eyes; this person tends to feel thirsty.
• Euphrasia -- for bland nasal discharge, with stinging, irritating tears; a suitable person for this remedy has worse nasal symptoms when lying down.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Biminne

Biminne is a Chinese herbal formula used to treat allergic rhinitis. In a study of 58 people with year-round allergic rhinitis, biminne relieved at least some symptoms in most of the participants. Participants took the formula five times a day for 12 weeks, and they still showed the benefit of biminne even after one year. It is not known how biminne works, or if it is safe to use for extended periods. Biminne includes these herbs:

• Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)
• Ginkgo biloba
• Horny goat weed (Epimedium sagittatum)
• Schizandra chinensis
• Japanese apricot (Prunus mume)
• Ledebouriella divaricata
• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Using some nasal sprays for long periods of time can make your allergic rhinitis worse. Call your health care provider if you develop severe symptoms, if previously successful treatment no longer works, or if symptoms do not respond to treatment.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid the following:

• Decongestants without discussing with your physician
• Stinging nettle
• Chinese skullcap
• Butterbur (Petasites) extracts
• Goldenseal
• High doses of vitamin C

Warnings and Precautions

Do not take stinging nettle if you take blood pressure medication, anticoagulants (blood thinners), diuretics (water pills), or have diabetes without talking to your doctor first.

You should not use goldenseal over a long period of time, and you should avoid it if you have high blood pressure.

Skullcap has sedative properties, and should be used with caution or not at all with antihistamines that also make you drowsy.

Prognosis and Complications

Chances are your symptoms of allergic rhinitis will be readily treated, but they will continue to appear each time you are exposed to an allergen.

Although perennial allergic rhinitis is not a serious condition, it can interfere with many important aspects of life. Depending on how severe your symptoms are, allergic rhinitis can lead to missed days from school or work. Medication may cause drowsiness and other side effects. Your allergies could also trigger other conditions, such as eczema, asthma, sinusitis, and ear infection (called otitis media). Seasonal allergies may improve as you get older.

Desensitization (allergy shots) may cause uncomfortable side effects (such as hives and rash) and may have dangerous side effects such as anaphylaxis. It often requires years of treatment and is effective in about two-thirds of cases.

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