Allergic rhinitis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Allergic rhinitis
Synonyms	Hay fever
A close-up microscope image of pollen grains from different plants. Pollen is a common cause of allergies.
Symptoms	Stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, red, itchy, and watery eyes, swelling around the eyes
Usual onset	Often starts in teens or young adults
Causes	Family history and things in the environment
Risk factors	Can be linked to asthma and itchy skin (eczema)
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms and allergy tests (like a skin test)
Similar conditions	Can seem like a common cold
Prevention	Growing up around animals may help
Medication	Nasal sprays (steroids), antihistamine pills, allergy shots
Frequency	Affects about 1 in 5 people in some countries

Allergic rhinitis is a condition that makes the inside of your nose swollen and irritated. It happens when your body's defense system, the immune system, overreacts to something harmless in the air, like pollen or dust. This is a very common type of allergy.

When it's caused by pollen from plants that only appear in certain seasons, it's often called hay fever. But you can have allergic rhinitis all year long if you're allergic to things like dust mites or pet dander.

The main signs are a runny or stuffy nose, lots of sneezing, and red, itchy, watery eyes. These symptoms can start just minutes after you breathe in an allergen. It can make it hard to sleep, study, or focus at school. Unlike the common cold, allergies can last for many weeks and don't cause a fever.

Signs and Symptoms

When you have allergic rhinitis, you might experience:

• A runny nose with clear, watery fluid
• A stuffy, blocked nose that makes it hard to breathe
• Lots of sneezing, often many times in a row
• Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and throat
• Red and watery eyes
• Dark circles under the eyes, sometimes called "allergic shiners"

Some people also have a habit of rubbing their itchy nose by pushing their palm upward. This is called the "allergic salute." Doing this a lot can even leave a small crease across the nose.

Sometimes, an allergy to pollen can be linked to food allergies. For example, if you're allergic to birch pollen, you might feel an itchy throat after eating an apple. This is because the proteins in the pollen and the food are very similar.

What Causes Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is caused by your body reacting to tiny particles in the air called allergens.

Common Allergens

The most common triggers for hay fever and other nasal allergies include:

• Pollen: This is a fine powder from plants.
  • Trees like birch, oak, and cedar.
  • Grasses, which cause allergies for most people with hay fever.
  • Weeds like ragweed.
• Dust mites: These are tiny bugs that live in dust, bedding, and carpets.
• Pet dander: These are tiny flakes of skin from animals like cats and dogs.
• Mold: A type of fungus that can grow in damp places, like bathrooms or basements.

Why Do Some People Get Allergies?

Why do some people get allergies while others don't? It's usually a mix of two things:

• Genetics: Allergies often run in families. If your parents have allergies, you are more likely to have them too.
• Environment: Your surroundings also play a role. For example, some studies show that children who grow up on a farm or have older siblings have a lower risk of getting allergies. Air pollution can also make allergy symptoms worse for some people.

What Happens in Your Body?

Think of your immune system as your body's security team. Its job is to fight off harmful invaders like germs.

With allergies, the security team makes a mistake. It sees a harmless substance, like a grain of pollen, and thinks it's a dangerous enemy. It sounds the alarm, causing special cells called mast cells to release a chemical called histamine.

Histamine is what causes all the trouble. It makes the blood vessels in your nose widen, the tissues swell up, and your nose produce more mucus. This is your body's way of trying to wash the "invader" out, and it leads to all the familiar symptoms of sneezing, itching, and a runny nose.

How Do Doctors Know It's an Allergy?

A skin prick test helps find out what someone is allergic to.

A doctor can usually tell if you have allergic rhinitis by asking about your symptoms. They'll want to know when your symptoms started and if they happen at certain times of the year or in certain places.

To find out exactly what you're allergic to, a doctor might suggest an allergy test. The most common one is the skin prick test.

1. A doctor or nurse places tiny drops of different allergens (like pollen, dust mite, and pet dander extracts) on your arm or back.
2. They then gently prick the skin under each drop.
3. If you are allergic to one of the substances, you'll get a small, red, itchy bump, like a mosquito bite, in that spot within about 15-20 minutes.

This test helps your doctor know which triggers you should try to avoid.

Tips for Avoiding Allergy Triggers

One of the best ways to feel better is to avoid the things that trigger your allergies. Here are some tips:

• On days with high pollen counts, try to stay indoors with the windows closed.
• Use an air conditioner, which can help filter the air.
• Wash your hands and face after coming inside to remove pollen.
• Use special "mite-proof" covers on your pillows and mattress to protect against dust mites.
• Wash your bedding in hot water every week.
• Keep pets out of your bedroom if you are allergic to them.

How Are Allergies Treated?

If avoiding triggers isn't enough, there are many safe and effective treatments that can help you feel better.

Medicines That Help

• Antihistamines: These are usually pills that work by blocking the chemical histamine. This helps stop the sneezing, itching, and runny nose. Some older antihistamines can make you feel sleepy, but newer ones are less likely to do so.
• Nasal Sprays: Medicated nasal sprays are very effective. The most common type contains a small amount of a steroid to reduce the swelling and irritation inside your nose. To work best, they need to be used every day during your allergy season.
• Decongestants: These medicines help with a stuffy nose. They come as pills or nasal sprays. However, decongestant nasal sprays should only be used for a few days, or they can make your stuffy nose worse.

Long-Term Treatment

For people with severe allergies, a treatment called allergen immunotherapy might be an option. This involves getting regular "allergy shots" or taking a tablet that dissolves under your tongue. These treatments contain a tiny amount of the allergen you're allergic to. Over time, this helps "train" your immune system not to overreact. This treatment can take a few years, but it can provide long-lasting relief.

History

The condition was first described by a doctor named Rhazes in the 10th century. For a long time, people didn't know what caused it.

In 1859, a scientist named Charles Blackley discovered that pollen was the real cause. It got the name "hay fever" because people noticed the symptoms often appeared during the hay-harvesting season in the summer. They wrongly thought the smell of new hay was to blame. While the smell isn't the cause, the timing was right, as grass pollen is very high during haying season.