Guide to Care for patients
Other measures: Although they are not allergenic, strong chemical smells, perfumes, and smoke can make your symptoms worse. If you live in an area with air pollution from motor Symptoms of vehicles or industry, try to allergic rhinitis limit your outdoor activi• Sneezing ties during high-pollution • Stuffy, runny nose times. Environmental • Watery, itchy eyes tobacco smoke (second• Scratchy, itchy hand smoke) often worsens throat symptoms. If you have • Postnasal drip allergic rhinitis, it would be very helpful to try to stop smoking and to avoid contact with secondhand tobacco smoke. As always, if your symptoms are not well controlled with these simple methods at home, feel free to discuss additional treatment options with your healthcare provider.
Allergic rhinitis
By Helene J. Krouse, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN
Allergic rhinitis is a disease in which exposure to allergens in the environment causes symptoms, such as sneezing and congestion. Symptoms usually occur in people who have been repeatedly exposed to “allergens,” such as grass pollen, dust mites, or pet hair. There are two types of allergic rhinitis: seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis, which occurs throughout the year. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by pollens, and perennial allergic rhinitis is often triggered by indoor allergens, such as molds, dust, and pet hair.
RESOURCES 1. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. www.aafa.org. 2. Allergy & Asthma Network. www.aanma.org. 3. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. http:// www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies.aspx. Helene J. Krouse is a professor at Wayne State University, College of Nursing, Detroit, Mich. DOI-10.1097/01.NPR.0000444655.02518.5c
This teaching aid may be photocopied by healthcare professionals for use in their clinical practice. Attach your business card here, then copy.
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What can I do to prevent symptoms? The best way to prevent symptoms is to avoid the allergen that triggers your symptoms. However, since many allergens are present in the environment, it is often not possible to completely eliminate contact with them.
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
How can I lower my exposure? There are many things you can do to lower your exposure to allergens. Pets: Keep pets outdoors when possible. Bathe cats and dogs regularly and keep bedrooms “pet-free”. Indoor air: Air filters remove allergens and particles from the air. Changing air filters often can help. Dust mites: You can keep dust mites in check by making sure mattresses and pillows are in allergy-proof covers. Showering before going to bed will help keep dead, dry skin from getting on bedding. Get rid of unused, dust-collecting objects, such as stuffed toys, throw pillows, and throw rugs. Also, vacuuming carpets and furniture regularly as well as washing blankets and sheets once a week may also help reduce dust mites. Humidity: Indoor humidity and dampness can cause mold especially in basements, kitchens, and Fast Fact bathrooms. Be sure to seal Environmental openings and cracks controls, medicines, around windows and doors. and avoiding allergy You can use fungicides and triggers are the best bleach to remove mold. ways to manage Keep indoor humidity allergic rhinitis. levels between 30% and 45% by using dehumidifiers or air-conditioning units. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms when showering and bathing. Remove old books, newspapers, and plants. Since mold spores usually enter from outside, be sure to remove areas that hold moisture and dampness around the outside of the house. Pollen: Pollens often get into your home through open windows or pets that have been outside. Keeping windows closed during pollen season and using well-filtered air-conditioning can decrease the amount of pollen in the home. Since pollen counts are highest in the morning, limit outdoor activities—especially yard work—until
Fold Here
However, there are several ways to reduce exposure to allergens.
the evening. When you are outdoors, wear a light to heavy cotton mask over your nose and mouth to reduce the amount of pollen you breathe in. Remove outdoor clothing when you go inside and then shower.
How are symptoms treated? Allergy medicines can be taken by mouth (pills or capsules) or sprayed in the nose (intranasal sprays). The most commonly used allergy medicines are antihistamines. These medicines relieve itching, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. There are many types of antihistamines available either by prescription or over-the-counter. Be sure to carefully read the labels when buying these medicines at the store, as many antihistamines can make you sleepy. Decongestants are also commonly used to reduce congestion or stuffiness in the nose. They can be used alone or with antihistamines. Some people experience a rapid heart rate, anxiety, or irritability and should stop or limit their use if any reactions occur. Do not use decongestants if you have high blood pressure or prostate disease. Intranasal corticosteroid sprays are also commonly prescribed for treating allergic rhinitis. These medicines are often used once a day by spraying them into the nose. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about any allergy medicines that you are using. Salt-water irrigations and rinses for the nose: Salt water or saline rinses and irrigations are an effective method for removing irritants, such as pollens, from the nose. Warm saline rinses can be done once or twice a day to help reduce symptoms. Saline solutions can be purchased or made by diluting noniodized salt in previously boiled, distilled, or sterile water (to prevent infection, never use regular tap water). You can use saline irrigations and rinses with a bulb syringe, neti pot, or spray bottle. You should also clean your irrigation bottle, bulb syringe, or neti pot after each use with distilled, sterile, or boiled water. Allergy testing and shots: Allergy testing can be performed to identify your specific allergies. Based on the results of the allergy tests, allergy shots, tablets, or drops under your tongue may be recommended. Allergy drops are available but are not approved by the U.S. FDA. Allergy tablets are currently being considered for approval by the FDA. Allergy shots or drops can be very effective in reducing the body’s immune response to specific allergy triggers and can minimize or eliminate symptoms.
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Other measures: Although they are not allergenic, strong chemical smells, perfumes, and smoke can make your symptoms worse. If you live in an area with air pollution from motor Symptoms of vehicles or industry, try to allergic rhinitis limit your outdoor activi• Sneezing ties during high-pollution • Stuffy, runny nose times. Environmental • Watery, itchy eyes tobacco smoke (second• Scratchy, itchy hand smoke) often worsens throat symptoms. If you have • Postnasal drip allergic rhinitis, it would be very helpful to try to stop smoking and to avoid contact with secondhand tobacco smoke. As always, if your symptoms are not well controlled with these simple methods at home, feel free to discuss additional treatment options with your healthcare provider.
Allergic rhinitis
By Helene J. Krouse, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN
Allergic rhinitis is a disease in which exposure to allergens in the environment causes symptoms, such as sneezing and congestion. Symptoms usually occur in people who have been repeatedly exposed to “allergens,” such as grass pollen, dust mites, or pet hair. There are two types of allergic rhinitis: seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis, which occurs throughout the year. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by pollens, and perennial allergic rhinitis is often triggered by indoor allergens, such as molds, dust, and pet hair.
RESOURCES 1. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. www.aafa.org. 2. Allergy & Asthma Network. www.aanma.org. 3. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. http:// www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies.aspx. Helene J. Krouse is a professor at Wayne State University, College of Nursing, Detroit, Mich. DOI-10.1097/01.NPR.0000444655.02518.5c
This teaching aid may be photocopied by healthcare professionals for use in their clinical practice. Attach your business card here, then copy.
Fold Here
Supported by the
What can I do to prevent symptoms? The best way to prevent symptoms is to avoid the allergen that triggers your symptoms. However, since many allergens are present in the environment, it is often not possible to completely eliminate contact with them.
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
How can I lower my exposure? There are many things you can do to lower your exposure to allergens. Pets: Keep pets outdoors when possible. Bathe cats and dogs regularly and keep bedrooms “pet-free”. Indoor air: Air filters remove allergens and particles from the air. Changing air filters often can help. Dust mites: You can keep dust mites in check by making sure mattresses and pillows are in allergy-proof covers. Showering before going to bed will help keep dead, dry skin from getting on bedding. Get rid of unused, dust-collecting objects, such as stuffed toys, throw pillows, and throw rugs. Also, vacuuming carpets and furniture regularly as well as washing blankets and sheets once a week may also help reduce dust mites. Humidity: Indoor humidity and dampness can cause mold especially in basements, kitchens, and Fast Fact bathrooms. Be sure to seal Environmental openings and cracks controls, medicines, around windows and doors. and avoiding allergy You can use fungicides and triggers are the best bleach to remove mold. ways to manage Keep indoor humidity allergic rhinitis. levels between 30% and 45% by using dehumidifiers or air-conditioning units. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms when showering and bathing. Remove old books, newspapers, and plants. Since mold spores usually enter from outside, be sure to remove areas that hold moisture and dampness around the outside of the house. Pollen: Pollens often get into your home through open windows or pets that have been outside. Keeping windows closed during pollen season and using well-filtered air-conditioning can decrease the amount of pollen in the home. Since pollen counts are highest in the morning, limit outdoor activities—especially yard work—until
Fold Here
However, there are several ways to reduce exposure to allergens.
the evening. When you are outdoors, wear a light to heavy cotton mask over your nose and mouth to reduce the amount of pollen you breathe in. Remove outdoor clothing when you go inside and then shower.
How are symptoms treated? Allergy medicines can be taken by mouth (pills or capsules) or sprayed in the nose (intranasal sprays). The most commonly used allergy medicines are antihistamines. These medicines relieve itching, sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose. There are many types of antihistamines available either by prescription or over-the-counter. Be sure to carefully read the labels when buying these medicines at the store, as many antihistamines can make you sleepy. Decongestants are also commonly used to reduce congestion or stuffiness in the nose. They can be used alone or with antihistamines. Some people experience a rapid heart rate, anxiety, or irritability and should stop or limit their use if any reactions occur. Do not use decongestants if you have high blood pressure or prostate disease. Intranasal corticosteroid sprays are also commonly prescribed for treating allergic rhinitis. These medicines are often used once a day by spraying them into the nose. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about any allergy medicines that you are using. Salt-water irrigations and rinses for the nose: Salt water or saline rinses and irrigations are an effective method for removing irritants, such as pollens, from the nose. Warm saline rinses can be done once or twice a day to help reduce symptoms. Saline solutions can be purchased or made by diluting noniodized salt in previously boiled, distilled, or sterile water (to prevent infection, never use regular tap water). You can use saline irrigations and rinses with a bulb syringe, neti pot, or spray bottle. You should also clean your irrigation bottle, bulb syringe, or neti pot after each use with distilled, sterile, or boiled water. Allergy testing and shots: Allergy testing can be performed to identify your specific allergies. Based on the results of the allergy tests, allergy shots, tablets, or drops under your tongue may be recommended. Allergy drops are available but are not approved by the U.S. FDA. Allergy tablets are currently being considered for approval by the FDA. Allergy shots or drops can be very effective in reducing the body’s immune response to specific allergy triggers and can minimize or eliminate symptoms.
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
