Runny nose allergy

What is runny nose? It occurs when there is excessive production of fluid or mucous such that it moves out of your nose or enters back into your body through the throat. This is caused through the nasal tissues and blood vessels. Runny nose allergy will be caused through exposure to allergens such as dust, pollen, smoke, and animal dander.

Runny nose allergy is often associated with other related symptoms such as nose itching and frequent sneezing. The function of the nose will be primarily including mucus production for trapping pollutants, dust particles, germs, and pollen. Excessive mucus production lead to post-nasal drip and is termed as runny nose.

We could further classify runny nose allergy as follows:

Seasonal: Runny nose allergy symptoms are felt by the patient in specific seasons such as spring, fall, or summer and this is related to the high pollen count that occurs in this season due to the flowering of plants.

Perennial: Runny nose allergy symptoms are experienced by the patient throughout the year as an allergic response to dust mites, animal dander and mold spores. They could also be attributed to an underlying food allergy.

What causes runny nose allergy?

This is basically a hypersensitivity allergic reaction wherein the patient is exposed to common allergens such as ragweed, pollen, animal dander. The immune system will respond to these allergens and perceive them as “invaders”. It will cause the mast cells to release the chemical histamine in excess. The allergen will combine with the immunoglobulin E which is known as the allergic antibody. This antibody is attached to the mast cells. Histamine will cause the dilation of the blood vessels in the nose and this will result in fluid leakage through the nose. This causes runny nose, eye irritation, itching, and sneezing.

Antibodies get circulated in the body through the blood and they deposit in the tissues of the nose and skin. Therefore, skin testing is the diagnostic method of runny nose allergy testing. The less common blood test for runny nose allergy is the IgE blood test. A positive skin test result indicates that the person is suffering from runny nose allergy.

It has been estimated that allergies, including runny nose allergy affects the quality of life and daily routine activities of nearly 40 to 50 million people in the United States.

Runny nose allergy escape

Can moving out to a place with less ragweed help me in curing the runny nose allergy? Well, it may help but in United States, it is sad to note that ragweed, one of the common allergens triggering the runny nose in 75% cases, is present throughout the country. This is one of the last measures advised by an allergist because moving out is cumbersome and runny nose allergy in another place could be triggered by other allergens such as grass.

Runny nose allergy needs to be treated properly as when it is neglected, it may create complications. It is also associated with other medical conditions such as sinusitis, ear infections, headaches, sleep disturbances and poor academic problems. In children, it could be associated with problems of facial development and orthodontic problems.