Is Your Runny Nose From Allergies? You Need to Know
Rhinitis is just a medical term for “runny nose” and it affects millions of people. Unfortunately, rhinitis is commonly misunderstood. Despite what many people believe, only half of all people with rhinitis have allergies. Telltale symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and runny nose may be caused by a host of different factors, including medications, hormonal changes, workplace irritants, and more—some having nothing to do with allergies. So if you have rhinitis, knowing the underlying cause is key to effectively preventing your symptoms from flaring up.
According to published medical literature, 65% of patients taking allergy medications for their allergy symptoms were not allergic.1
Newer, non-sedating antihistamines work only when there’s histamine
One of the most common medications for allergic rhinitis is antihistamines. In the allergic process, the body releases histamine, a chemical that causes rhinitis symptoms. An antihistamine’s job is to inhibit the effect histamines have on your body. So, if you do not have allergic rhinitis, antihistamines won’t stop your runny nose. Unfortunately, many patients who think they are allergic aren’t. So they take the wrong steps to relieve their symptoms. In fact, one study showed that as many as 65% of people diagnosed with allergic rhinitis who were taking antihistamines were not actually allergic. So they were taking unnecessary medications.
The more you know, the better your treatment can be
Allergy testing can help your clinician determine the true cause of your rhinitis. With that information in hand, he or she can prescribe the right treatment. And managing allergic rhinitis means more than just taking medication. You may have outdoor allergies to things such as grass or tree pollen. Or you may be sensitive to indoor allergens such as dust mites or cat dander. By identifying the specific allergens that cause your symptoms, you can work to reduce your exposure to your specific allergic triggers, which can ease or prevent symptoms by reducing your cumulative allergic load. Talk to your doctor about allergy testing. One common blood test can help identify the full range of allergens known to trigger rhinitis symptoms.
Learn more about allergy testing and ImmunoCAP.
Learn more about the symptom threshold and ways to reduce exposure to allergens.
Take control of your rhinitis
Whatever the underlying cause, you have the power to control your rhinitis. With the right medications based on an accurate diagnosis (as well as targeted exposure reduction of allergic triggers if you are allergic), you can keep those rhinitis symptoms to a minimum. Simply consult with your doctor to make a plan that is right for you.
See these important tools to help you manage your rhinitis.
Reference
- Szeinbach SL, Williams PB, Muntendam P, O’Connor RD. Identification of allergic disease among users of antihistamines. J Manag Care Pharm. 2004;10:234-238.