Allergies are abnormal responses of the immune system against typically harmless substances known as allergens. The individual’s body responds to these allergens and ultimately produce common allergy symptoms like rashes, runny or stuffy nose, swelling, and/or sneezing. The most common allergy type we treat here at West Coast ENT Head & Neck Surgery in our Thousand Oaks, CA, Simi Valley, CA, Oxnard, CA, and Camarillo, CA, locations is allergic rhinitis. Find out more about it below.

What Exactly is Allergic Rhinitis?

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis stem from irritation and inflammation of the nose due to contact with allergens and other irritants, such as the following:

• Pollutants and chemicals in the air
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Mold
• Cigarette smoke
• Strong smells or fumes
• Changes in the weather and temperature
• A respiratory tract infection

When an allergic individual breathes in these allergens and irritants, they enter the nose and your body reacts by releasing histamine. This chemical then causes allergic rhinitis symptoms.

Treating Allergic Rhinitis

Essentially, you should avoid exposing yourself to your specific allergy triggers. To ease mild symptoms, you can turn to saline rinses or sprays and OTC antihistamine and allergy medications. If these fail to properly manage your allergy symptoms, you should seek help from your ENT doctor in our Thousand Oaks, CA, Simi Valley, CA, Oxnard, CA, or Camarillo, CA, office for more potent allergy treatments.

These treatments could include more potent antihistamines and oral decongestants as well as antileukotrienes. Your prescribed medications need to be taken as directed to ensure effectiveness and avoid adverse effects. If these still fail to work, your ENT doctor might recommend immunotherapy or allergy shots. When determining the medications that will best suit your case, the following factors will be considered:

• Your specific symptoms
• The intensity or severity of your symptoms
• Medications you’ve used or are currently taking
• Possible side effects
• Will you need to take the medication intermittently or daily?

Managing allergic rhinitis, or any kind of allergy could be challenging. It might seem like a daunting task to manage a treatment plan and avoid your specific triggers. However, by having a communicative and collaborative relationship with your ENT doctor, you could develop and follow a sustainable treatment plan.

For Allergy Relief, We Can Help

Book a visit here at West Coast ENT Head & Neck Surgery by calling our Thousand Oaks, CA, office at (805) 379-9646, Simi Valley, CA, office at (805) 527-7320, Oxnard, CA, office at (805) 983-0395, or Camarillo, CA, office at (805) 484-5929.