Rhinitis is a reaction that occurs in the nose when airborne irritants (allergens) trigger the release of histamine. Histamine causes itching, inflammation, and fluid or mucous production in the fragile linings of nasal passages, sinuses, and eyelids.
There is usually a family history of allergic rhinitis.
The two categories of allergic rhinitis include:
- Seasonal. This type occurs particularly during pollen seasons.
- Perennial. This type occurs throughout the year and is commonly seen in younger children.
The most common causes of allergic rhinitis include the following:
- Pollen (tree, grass, weed)
- Dust mites
- Cockroach droppings
- Animal dander
- Tobacco smoke
The following are the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose, throat, eyes, and ears
- Clear drainage from the nose
Children with perennial allergic rhinitis may also have the following:
- Recurrent ear infections
- Mouth breathing
- Poor performance in school
- "Allergic salute." This is when a child rubs his or her hand upward across the bridge of the nose while sniffing. This may cause a line or crease to form across the bridge of the nose.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.
Typically, the diagnosis is made by your child's doctor based on a thorough medical history and physical examination. In addition to the above symptoms, your child's doctor may find, on physical examination, dark circles under the eyes, creases under the eyes, and swollen tissue inside the nose. If this is the case, then your child's doctor may refer your child to see an allergist. An allergist is a specialist who is trained to perform allergy skin testing, which will tell you exactly what environmental aeroallergens cause allergic symptoms in your child.
Specific treatment for allergic rhinitis will be determined by your child's doctor based on:
- Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the reaction
- Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the reaction
- Your opinion or preference
Treatment options may include:
- Avoidance of the allergens. Avoidance of the allergens that are causing the problem is the best treatment.
- Antihistamines. Antihistamines help to decrease the release of histamine, possibly decreasing the symptoms of itching, sneezing, or runny nose. Some examples of antihistamines are diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or hydroxyzine (Atarax). These medications may cause drowsiness. Consult your child's doctor to determine the proper dosage for your child.
- Nonsedating antihistamines. Nonsedating antihistamines work like antihistamines but without the side effect of drowsiness. Nonsedating antihistamines may include cetirizine (Zyrtec), loratadine (Claritin), or fexofenadine (Allegra). Consult your child's doctor to determine the proper dosage for your child.
- Anti-inflammatory nasal sprays. Anti-inflammatory nasal sprays help to decrease the swelling in the nose. Consult your child's doctor to determine the proper dosage for your child.
- Corticosteroid nasal sprays. Corticosteroid nasal sprays also help to decrease the swelling in the nose. Corticosteroid nasal sprays work best when used before the symptoms start, but can also be used during a flare-up. Consult your child's doctor to determine the proper dosage for your child.
- Decongestants. Decongestants help by making the blood vessels in the nose smaller, thus, decreasing congestion. Decongestants can be purchased either over-the-counter or by prescription. Consult your child's doctor to determine the proper dosage for your child.
- Anti-leukotrienes. These are a relatively new type of medication being used to control the symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis. These medications help to decrease congestion in the chest and nose and are usually given by mouth.
If your child does not respond to avoidance or to the above medications, your child's allergist then may recommend allergy shots or immunotherapy based on the findings. Immunotherapy usually involves a three- to five-year course of repeated injections of specific allergens to decrease the reaction to these allergens when your child comes into contact with them. Consult your child's doctor for more information.
Preventive measures for avoiding allergic rhinitis include:
- Environmental controls, such as air conditioning, during pollen season
- Avoiding areas where there is heavy dust, mites, molds
- Avoiding pets
Controlling asthma may mean controlling allergic rhinitis in some patients, according to allergy and asthma experts. Allergic rhinitis is a common problem that may be associated with asthma.
Guidelines from the World Health Organization recognize the link between allergic rhinitis and asthma. Although the link is not fully understood, one theory asserts that rhinitis makes it difficult to breathe through the nose, which hampers the normal function of the nose. Breathing through the mouth does not warm the air, or filter or humidify it before it enters the lungs, which can make asthma worse.
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