Data from the Ministry of Public Health in 2016 stated that 38% of Thai children and 20% of adults suffer from allergies, with the number of allergy patients increasing 3-4 times compared to the past 10 years. This may be due to poor pollution and environmental conditions, resulting in widespread allergens. Dr. Uthai Prapamonthon, a specialist in head, neck, bronchial, and laryngeal surgery at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital, will explain this disease.
Airborne Allergies, Though Not Severe, Affect Quality of Life
Dr. Uthai explains that “allergic conditions” or “chronic rhinitis” is an abnormal condition caused by the nasal mucosa being overly sensitive to stimuli or allergens such as smoke, dust, pollen, etc. When exposed to these triggers, symptoms like itching, coughing, sneezing, or a runny nose may occur.
Although allergic rhinitis is not severe, it significantly affects social life and reduces work efficiency. It also causes great discomfort to patients due to constant runny nose or sneezing. If not properly treated, complications may arise. Patients with this condition should not neglect treatment for a complete cure, as the treatment is not as complicated as it seems.
When Experiencing These Allergy Symptoms, Consult a Doctor
If you observe yourself carefully, allergy patients will have symptoms when exposed to allergens such as household dust, dust mites, or pollen. The main symptoms are as follows:
- Itchy nose and repeated sneezing because the body tries to expel the allergens.
- Clear runny nose all the time, similar to cold symptoms with nasal congestion. These symptoms can last for quite a long time, sometimes hours, but can resolve on their own.
- Some may experience other symptoms such as itchy eyes, itchy throat, itchy ears, or itchy palate, or headaches, coughing, sore throat, or ear fullness.
Besides the main symptoms, patients with rhinitis may have severely swollen nasal mucosa or sometimes swollen nose, with a large amount of clear nasal discharge. Nasal mucosa may also have nasal polyps, and the inner throat wall may have red bumps scattered throughout, caused by irritation from nasal discharge dripping down the throat or mouth breathing. If symptoms worsen, it is advisable to see a doctor to prevent complications. Additionally, “stress” is a cause of many health problems, including allergies. When patients experience high stress, it may worsen their symptoms.
How to Treat Allergies? Before Symptoms Become Severe
Dr. Uthai says that when patients visit a doctor, they must describe their symptoms in detail and maintain good health by exercising and eating nutritious food to enhance the effectiveness of rhinitis treatment. The treatment guidelines are as follows:
- Avoid exposure to allergens: This is the correct treatment and greatly benefits patients because once the cause is known and avoided, nasal inflammation decreases. However, in reality, this is difficult to achieve, so medication is also necessary.
- Medication treatment: Rhinitis can be treated with various medications such as antihistamines, used before symptoms appear and for patients with mild allergies, or vasoconstrictors that shrink blood vessels and nasal tissues to reduce swelling and nasal congestion.
- Vaccination: This involves injecting substances that the patient is likely allergic to into or under the skin, causing immune cells to change, which reduces rhinitis symptoms.
- Surgery: For patients who do not improve with medication, such as radiofrequency ablation of the nasal mucosa to reduce swelling and improve nasal congestion, or surgery to remove nerves supplying the nasal mucosa to reduce runny nose symptoms.
When you realize you have allergies, besides maintaining good health and exercising regularly, if symptoms worsen, you should consult a doctor to address the root cause and prevent severe symptoms from developing.
