If you have a chronic case of rhinitis, there are several different treatments available. You can use antihistamines to treat the condition, oral decongestants to help you breathe easier, and even try nasal saline irrigation. However, these options can have side effects, including heart palpitations and restlessness. If you are interested in a non-drug treatment, Dr. Daneshrad also offers ClariFix, a treatment based on cryotherapy that calms hyperreactive nerves.
Antihistamines
The primary use of antihistamines for allergic rhinitis is to relieve symptoms of the disease. These medications work by blocking the H1 receptor, thereby decreasing the level of histamine and increasing the quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis. However, some antihistamines have sedative properties, and these drugs should be avoided. To reduce the risk of adverse reactions and to ensure safe treatment, antihistamines should not be sedative, nor should they affect the central nervous system.
The most important factor in choosing an antihistamine for allergic rhinitis is to choose a non-sedating one. Second-generation antihistamines tend to be non-sedating, but some of them can cause sedation. It is therefore important to discuss the side effects with the patient before prescribing antihistamines. If first-generation antihistamines are ineffective, physicians should consider a different type of antihistamine, such as second-generation antihistamines.
Several classes of antihistamines are available in the United States. Some can be purchased over-the-counter while others are available only with a prescription. These drugs differ in cost, frequency of use, and spray devices. However, these drugs have the ability to alleviate all the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Consequently, they are the most commonly prescribed antihistamines.
Antihistamines can be used in combination with a decongestant or an antihistamine to relieve symptoms. A decongestant is a drug that can help reduce nasal congestion while antihistamines can help alleviate itchiness. They also reduce the amount of histamines produced in the body. This can alleviate symptoms of indoor, food, and seasonal allergies.
Oral steroids should be given only in the presence of severe, incapacitating allergic rhinitis. Surgical procedures are not recommended for patients taking steroids. In some patients, repeated courses of steroids can lead to cushingoid symptoms, and they should be used cautiously. The use of inhaled steroids in combination with antihistamines should be limited to patients who are already suffering from severe allergic rhinitis.
The two main types of antihistamines are intranasal and topical. Intranasal corticosteroids and intranasal antihistamines are preferred for mild to moderate allergic rhinitis. However, these are not considered first-line treatments. In addition, cromolyn is not considered a first-line therapy for allergic rhinitis.
Oral decongestants
Nasal decongestants are a type of medication that works to ease stuffiness caused by swollen nasal tissue. However, unlike antihistamines, decongestants do not relieve other symptoms of allergic rhinitis. You can find oral decongestants as prescription or over-the-counter medications, and they are typically used in conjunction with antihistamines. You should talk to your allergist before taking any decongestant for rhinitis.
Oral decongestants for a long period may cause rebound congestion, a condition that is caused by continued use of nasal decongestants. Although RM is rare, it is often a sign of inadequate treatment. The majority of survey respondents felt that the warning labels on these medications are inadequate. The authors of this study have outlined a treatment protocol for patients suffering from rhinitis medicamentosa.
Different types of decongestants work to relieve nasal congestion associated with allergic rhinitis. The active ingredient in decongestants is phenylephrine, which can be used alone or as part of a multidrug combination. A 2015 study found that phenylephrine was no more effective than a placebo in alleviating congestion.
Another option for treating rhinitis medicamentosa is adjunctive weaning. The decongestant is gradually withdrawn from the body and patients gradually switch to buffered saline nasal spray instead. In this way, the symptoms of rhinitis can be alleviated without side effects. So, the next time you go to the doctor, don’t be afraid to ask about the treatment options available for rhinitis medicamentosa.
Although decongestants are generally safe for most people, it is best to discuss your allergy with a health care provider first. People with high blood pressure or heart problems should not take these medications unless they’ve been cleared by a doctor. It is also best to consult with an allergist if you are pregnant. They may also be harmful to your baby. However, the benefits of oral decongestants far outweigh the downsides.
If you are taking nasal sprays for rhinitis medicamentosa, you should be honest with your healthcare provider about the frequency and duration of your use. During the first month, your doctor may recommend a gradual decrease in the number of sprays you take. Stopping the spray abruptly may further irritate your symptoms. Your doctor may also suggest you try alternative medications such as glucocorticoids.
Nasal saline irrigation
Nasal saline irrigation is one of the most common treatments for rhinoitis. It has been found to be effective for a variety of conditions, including chronic and acute rhinosinusitis. The most common indication for saline nasal irrigation is the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Studies have shown that daily use of 2% diluted liquid saline has a significant effect on symptom severity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The treatment can also result in a significant improvement in disease-specific quality of life.
The effectiveness of nasal irrigation has been proven for chronic sinusitis, and it is sometimes used in adjunctive therapy for allergy patients. It is useful for people with allergic rhinitis and for people with upper respiratory disorders. However, it is not a cure for all cases of rhinosinusitis. Nasal irrigation can improve symptoms and the mucociliary clearance time, which may result in improved quality of life.
Studies have shown that nasal saline irrigation may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Although there are still some concerns about the procedure, it is generally considered safe and effective for the long term. Nasal saline irrigation can be done with normal saline or hypertonic solutions, depending on the condition. Although the treatment has been around for some time, pediatric guidelines have not yet included it as a standard treatment option.
While nasal saline irrigation is an excellent choice for treating allergic rhinitis, it is often associated with side effects such as epistaxis and discomfort in the nose. Although nasal saline irrigation is safe, it is advisable to consult your health care provider if you suffer from a compromised immune system. If you don’t have a prescription for it, a pharmacy-grade solution may be an effective alternative.
A systematic literature review was conducted to identify the effectiveness of nasal saline irrigation in children and adults. The search was conducted using databases including MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, Web of Science, and ISI Web of Knowledge. In this review, the effectiveness of saline irrigation was assessed for children compared to that of a placebo-controlled trial. The researchers also examined subgroup studies to evaluate any differences in efficacy.
Sublingual immunotherapy
While sublingual immunotherapy is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), certain physicians have found success with it. In Southern Europe, this treatment has up to 80% success rates. Sublingual immunotherapy is available as a sublingual tablet or aqueous infusion. It is generally considered safe. However, despite this positive news, there are still many questions about its effectiveness. Here, we look at what we can know about it.
To determine the effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy, we used data from twelve trials of people with allergic rhinitis and related conditions. This included children, adolescents, and adults. Overall, we found moderate to strong evidence that sublingual immunotherapy was effective in treating rhinoitis and asthma. The strength of evidence for sublingual immunotherapy varied between trials, with two studies reporting a very strong magnitude of effect.
The strength of evidence for sublingual immunotherapy was similar to that of other methods. Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis and asthma is a promising alternative to injections and may be available in the US, as well. Moreover, there are many trials that have found little to no adverse effects. It is recommended that a physician consider sublingual immunotherapy before making the decision to use it. You may also want to consider sublingual immunotherapy as a nasal or sublingual treatment.
SLIT can be highly effective in treating allergic rhinitis. The drug is absorbed through the mouth and is usually absorbed by the body. It is a safe and convenient treatment. It also reduces the burden of travel and missed time at work. However, there are a few drawbacks. For example, sublingual immunotherapy can cause gastrointestinal side effects. The safety and cost-effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy is still unclear.