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Our FAQs address detailed and common questions about Allergic Rhinitis. If you still have unanswered questions after reviewing this portal, feel free to contact our team at contact@euforea.org. Please note that we cannot answer personal inquiries.
In primary care, your pharmacist or GP usually starts by assessing if your symptoms are suggestive of allergic rhinitis, and trying a suitable medication. If your symptoms don’t improve enough, allergy testing may be recommended. This can be done with a skin prick test (placing tiny drops of allergens on your forearm and checking the reaction after 15 minutes) or with a blood test. Test results are always interpreted together with your symptom history (a positive allergy test alone is not enough). The timing and pattern of your symptoms must also match the identified allergen to make a clear diagnosis.
Weather plays an important role in both the timing and severity of allergy season. As global warming changes temperature and rainfall patterns, pollen allergies are being affected in several ways. Warmer weather throughout the year, especially milder winters, allows trees to start growing and releasing pollen earlier in the spring. In the fall, pollen lingers longer because temperatures take more time to drop.
Rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas driving climate change) are contributing to increased pollen production. Altogether, these changes mean that pollen allergy season now lasts longer, and symptoms may be more intense.
For people with allergy to mould spores, warmer and more humid conditions create an environment where mould can grow more easily.
The availability of over-the-counter medicines for allergic rhinitis varies by country, but common options typically include nasal corticosteroids and oral/nasal antihistamines. If you also experience eye symptoms, over-the-counter eye drops such as antihistamine or cromolyn drops, may provide relief. Ask your local pharmacist for advice on which treatment option is the most suitable for you.
If you're thinking about moving to a different climate to avoid allergies, it’s important to know that this rarely helps, as allergens are present almost everywhere. Some allergens are ubiquitous, such as animal dander and house dust mite, whereas others - pollens in particular - differ depending on location. You could move to escape specific pollen allergies, but you typically have to go a long way, such as from a temperate to a tropical/sub-tropical climate, to completely escape these allergens. Additionally, you may – over time - develop new allergies to pollens in the new environment.
What may be possible is to escape your pollen season by a well-planned holiday.
Managing allergies when animals are around can be difficult, especially if you are allergic to one or more of the pets. Animal allergens spread easily through the air and can stick to clothing, furniture and carpets. This means that even just being in a room where a pet has been can trigger symptoms such as sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, or a runny nose
If you’re planning to visit someone who has a pet, it may help to take a fast acting allergy medication beforehand. These medicines can reduce symptoms from occasional exposure.
If you don’t currently own a pet and you are allergic to animal dander (for example cat or dog), it’s strongly advised not to get a pet, as this can make your allergy much harder to control. If you already have a pet, the most effective way to improve your symptoms is unfortunately to remove the animal from your home. We know this can be an emotional and difficult decision, and many people choose to keep their pet. If that’s your situation, it becomes especially important to reduce your exposure to pet dander, saliva and urine as much as possible. Learn more about this here.
Allergic rhinitis can increase the chance of developing other conditions, such as asthma, eustachian tube problems (which can cause ear pressure or ear infections), chronic rhinosinusitis, and obstructive sleep apnea. If you notice new or unusual symptoms in addition to your typical allergy symptoms, it’s important to discuss them with your healthcare provider. They can check for these related conditions, which often occur alongside allergic rhinitis.
Getting your allergies well-controlled can lower the risk of these problems developing or getting worse. That’s why it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to find the treatment plan that best manages your symptoms.
If you are experiencing symptoms suggestive of allergic rhinitis but have not yet started treatment, you can either begin by self-managing your symptoms with support from your pharmacist or choose to visit your general practitioner (GP) directly for diagnosis and treatment. Your pharmacist may also refer you to your GP immediately if your symptoms indicate a need for medical attention.
If you have already tried over the counter treatments and your symptoms are still bothersome, it is time to see a doctor. Your healthcare provider will confirm the diagnosis, screen for other conditions that commonly occur alongside allergic rhinitis, and offer a personalised treatment plan.
Seasonal allergies cause symptoms only at certain times of the year. They typically occur in the spring, summer, or early autumn and are triggered by pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds.
Perennial allergens can cause symptoms throughout the whole year since they are constantly present in the environment. However increased indoor exposure in winter may cause more noticeable symptoms then. Examples are house dust mites, cockroaches, and animal dander.
You might be affected by something called pollen food allergy syndrome, also called oral allergy syndrome. It is considered a type of food allergy. With pollen food syndrome, the proteins in certain raw fruits, vegetables and tree nuts are similar to those in pollens, and this tricks the immune system. This “cross-reactivity” can cause allergic symptoms like itchiness of the mouth and throat. If you haven’t already, it’s a good idea to discuss the issues you encounter with your healthcare provider.
Yes, provided you use one with very low absorption into the body, administer it correctly and have a check-up every few years.
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