Allergic rhinosinusitis, better known as seasonal allergies, is the hypersensitivity to allergens that become airborne at intermittently predictable times of the year. For instance, many people are allergic to tree and grass pollen during the spring, and ragweed during the fall.
Common symptoms include a runny, itchy nose, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, an itchy sensation to the roof of their mouth, and a skin rash or hives.
Treatment Options
- Avoid exposure to allergens as much as possible
- Steroid nasal spray (i.e.: Flonase, Nasonex)
- First generation antihistamines (i.e. Benadryl)
- Second generation antihistamines (i.e. Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra)
Some important points to keep in mind:
- Pediatricians should always be consulted regarding management options for kids. Many over-the-counter medications are not safe for children.
- Anyone with difficulty breathing, severe swelling of tongue/throat should report immediately to the Emergency Department.
- If using nasal decongestant sprays (i.e. Affrin), never use for more than 3 days.
- People with high blood pressure or heart problems need to be very cautious when choosing over-the-counter medications.