Allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, affects nearly one out of every five adults in the United States. If you’re suffering from allergic rhinitis, schedule a consultation with Suburban Allergy Consultants, with locations in Narberth, Havertown, West Chester, West Grove, and Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The team of allergy, asthma, and immunology specialists, led by Corinna Bowser MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI, and Andrew Murphy MD, FAAAAI, can help treat your hay fever and improve your quality of life. Call the office nearest you or use the online scheduling tool to book your visit today.
Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction that occurs in and around your nasal pathways. Allergic reactions happen when your body’s immune system mistakes a non-threatening substance as harmful and tries to prevent it from entering your system by producing chemicals that swell and inflame your nasal passages, sinuses, and eyelids.
There are two types of allergic rhinitis:
People with seasonal allergic rhinitis only experience symptoms at certain times of the year, typically spring and fall. It tends to be caused by outdoor allergens like pollen.
Perennial allergic rhinitis happens all year round. It’s typically a response to indoor allergens like pet dander and dust mites.
Allergists, like the team of professionals at Suburban Allergy Consultants, are highly qualified to work with allergic rhinitis, due to their extensive training in the field. They pride themselves on their ability to treat and diagnose allergic rhinitis, in addition to other conditions like rhinosinusitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma.
Allergic rhinitis can cause:
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis can also leave you feeling fatigued or unable to get a full night’s rest. You might also find yourself more irritable and performing poorly in work or school when your allergies kick up.
People with allergic rhinitis are also more prone to ear and sinus infections and can develop nasal polyps or asthma if their allergies persist for too long.
The best treatment for hay fever is specific avoidance and focused treatment methods. The team at Suburban Allergy Consultants performs skin testing and devises a unique treatment and counseling plan based on your particular condition and the severity of your symptoms.
The first step in treating your allergic rhinitis is to reduce or eliminate your exposure to allergens. This can involve:
Your doctor might also suggest taking antihistamines, decongestants, steroid nasal sprays, and leukotriene modifiers to reduce your inflammation and congestion.
In more extreme cases, the team might suggest undergoing immunotherapy, which involves injecting your body with allergens at regular intervals to increase your system’s tolerance.
Schedule your visit with Suburban Allergy Consultants and alleviate your allergic rhinitis today by calling the office or requesting a visit online.
