Allergic rhinitis (AP)

According to experts, the prevalence of AR in the world is rapidly increasing and is taking on the nature of a global problem. According to 2018 data, every third adult and every fourth child in Russia suffers from the disease.

In various regions of Russia, according to the Institute of Immunology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, cited in 2021, the prevalence of allergic diseases reaches from 15 to 35%.

Causes of illness

AR is seasonal, most often associated with plant flowering, whose pollen plays the role of an allergen, as well as year-round (occurs when in contact with various non-seasonal causal allergens, for example, with dust mites, mold, insects, dust, wool of pets).

In 2021, evidence is provided that environmental pollution and climate change are factors contributing to changes in the course of the disease and the extension of the traditional allergy season. A new study published in February 2021 shows that flowering season now begins 20 days early, lasts 10 days longer and contains 21% more pollen than 30 years ago, erasing the line between cold, flu and allergy seasons.

Among the factors affecting the development of AR, experts identify various allergens: food, chemical and household stimuli, stresses, air pollution, and related diseases.

Symptoms

The main symptoms are:

• sneezing,
• cold,
• nasal itching,
• reddening,
• edema of the eyes and mucosa of the nasal cavity,
• nasal congestion, in some cases combined with allergic conjunctivitis,

and, which occur when the patient is exposed to allergens.

AR can also be accompanied by complications in the form of otitis, sinusitis and other diseases. Allergic rhinitis can significantly impair a patient's quality of life, disrupting sleep and reducing performance. Due to the lack of normal nasal breathing, people often feel irritated and tired.

Patients facing the problem for the first time often cannot distinguish Allergic rhinitis from colds on their own, respectively, do not always choose the right treatment.

To distinguish AR from a cold, use infographics.

How to avoid the disease

• If it is possible to predict the appearance of symptoms (for example, in seasonal AR), then it is better to carry out prevention without waiting for exacerbation;
• Put on your hat and sunglasses to minimize pollen exposure to your eyes;
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast every day and, if possible, stay home on the warmest and driest days (when pollen is high). Rain washes pollen out of the air, so on cooler, wetter days its amount should be lower;
• In days of intense dusting, take a shower, wash your hair after returning home and change clothes;
• Avoid drying laundry on a linen rope on the street or balcony when the pollen count is high;
• Keep windows and doors closed to avoid pollen entering your home or workplace.