Does a runny nose every morning indicate allergic rhinitis?

Question

Hello doctor,

Every morning, I wake up with a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes that last for several hours. Antihistamines help a little, but I do not want to take pills every day. I have heard that this could be allergic rhinitis. Can I get tested to find out exactly what I am allergic to, such as dust, pollen, or animal dander? Also, will this condition ever go away, or will I have to manage it for the rest of my life? Could immunotherapy help reduce the symptoms over the long term?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is an allergic reaction to tiny particles in the air called allergens. When you breathe in these allergens through your nose or mouth, your body releases a natural chemical called histamine, which leads to symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and irritation of the nose, throat, mouth, and eyes. Despite its name, hay does not cause hay fever, and most people with it do not experience a fever. It is different from infectious rhinitis, which is caused by a virus like the common cold and is contagious. Not all cases of rhinitis are allergic; some people have nonallergic rhinitis, which causes similar symptoms but results from inflammation rather than allergens or histamine release.

Common triggers of allergic rhinitis include both indoor and outdoor allergens such as pollen from trees, weeds, and plants; mold spores; pet dander; dust mites; and cockroach droppings or saliva. Hay fever can occur seasonally or throughout the year. Seasonal allergies are more common in spring, summer, and early fall when pollen levels are high. In contrast, perennial allergies happen year-round due to constant exposure to indoor allergens like dust mites and pet dander.

For proper management, it is recommended to consult an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT). Treatment may include Tablet Ebastine 10 milligrams (mg), taken once in the morning and once in the evening for ten days, along with a Sodium Chloride and Xylometazoline nasal spray used once in each nostril in the morning and evening.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.