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Dealing With Allergic Rhinitis

If you are in need of an ENT expert because you or a family member is suffering from nasal or allergy issues, search ear, nose, and throat doctor NYC, ENT NYC, or ENT specialist Manhattan to find a New York City ENT specialist. Manhattan enjoys seasonal weather change, and as a result the people of NYC are frequently inflicted with the ailments of allergy symptoms. Chronic sinusitis is a long-lasting inflammation that affects the sinuses, and often recurs. You can acquire nasal help from a practicing ENT specialist by searching ENT NYC. An otolaryngologist can help treat chronic sinusitis, nasal obstruction, anosmia, allergies and asthma.

Allergic rhinitis is an ailment associated with a group of symptoms that affect the nose. Patients experience the symptoms when they breathe in an allergen, such as dust, animal dander, or pollen. The main cause of allergic rhinitis is when your immune system is exposed to an allergen. An allergen is something foreign to your body that your immune system mistakes for an intruder. Upon exposure, the body releases chemicals that cause allergy symptoms. Allergic rhinitis that’s specific to pollen is referred to as hay fever. Trees, grasses, and weeds can cause hay fever by distributing pollen via the wind.

Hay fever is felt more severely on hot, dry, and windy days where the likeliness of pollen in the air is high. On cool, damp, and rainy days, most pollen is washed to the ground. Allergic rhinitis and hay fever can often be hereditary, increasing the chances to develop the ailment for those with two parents inflicted with the disorder. Some instant symptoms of allergy exposure include itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, and skin, problems with smell, runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Symptoms that may develop later include stuffy nose, coughing, clogged ears and decreased sense of smell, sore throat, dark circles under the eyes, and puffiness under the eyes, as well as fatigue and headaches.

Upon arrival at the clinic, the health care provider will do a physical exam while asking questions about your symptoms. Testing will reveal the pollen or substance that triggers your symptoms. Skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing, however if you are unable to have the test done, the special blood tests or IgE RAST test may help with the diagnosis.

The best treatment for allergic rhinitis is to completely avoid all allergens that cause your symptoms. However, a complete avoidance of certain substances is near impossible, therefore, you may decide to take antihistamines. These types of medications work well to treat allergies, and can be used when symptoms do not persist. Search ear nose and throat doctor NYC to find a professional ENT specialist, qualified to diagnose and treat your symptoms.