What happens if allergic rhinitis left untreated?
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Allergic rhinitis is the inflammation of the mucous lining inside the nose caused by an external allergen that is in contact with the patient and causes discomfort.
It can be considered a simple condition since it does not tend to cause direct damage to health, but if it is not treated correctly it can evolve and cause complications.
It is an allergic reaction to some external factor, which can range from pollen to some plants and mites, and is defined as an immunogenetic disease that accompanies the sufferer throughout their life.
However, people suffering from allergic rhinitis must find a treatment to which they can turn to when they have episodes in order to avoid complications and increase their quality of life.
Potential complications of allergic rhinitis
In case of allowing the symptoms of this condition to progress without the help of treatment, the following can be experienced:
Sinusitis:
Blocking the nasal passages may increase the likelihood of causing an infection due to mucus accumulation. This infection can be mild or chronic and complicate other areas of the face, such as the ears and throat if not treated by a specialist.
Risk of asthma:
Allergic rhinitis has been listed as a predetermining factor for asthmatic conditions. Due to respiratory obstructions and the presence of immunoglobulin E, it is most likely that patients will develop asthma.
Sleep impairment:
When talking about a condition that causes blockage of the nasal passages, this produces a deficiency in breathing as well as the need to breathe through the mouth. In most cases, these respiratory alterations cause various damages, such as lack or interruption of sleep, fatigue, lack of concentration, etc.
Pharyngitis and/or tonsillitis
Just like sinusitis, the infection caused by the obstruction of the ducts can cause affections at the level of the throat causing other infections in these areas.
Irritation and/or pain on the face
When the allergy gets out of control, the itching sensation, the constant rubbing of cleansing elements can cause irritation and pain. Infection inside the nose may also present bothersome symptoms.
Severe headache:
One of the most serious complications of neglecting the treatment of allergic rhinitis is the progression of this condition to the point of suffering from headache and fever.
Fatigue and inattention:
Quality of life is greatly diminished when the patient does not get adequate rest. Daily living habits and responsibilities may be affected as the patient is unable to concentrate due to fatigue and general malaise.
How can allergic rhinitis be prevented from complicating?
The best way to avoid health conditions from this disease is to minimize contact with the allergen that causes it. There are many strategies to achieve this.
Initially, it must be identified with the help of a professional. Once the external component in question is identified, which may be one or several, a plan is created to avoid it.
There are cases in which it cannot be avoided, for which doctors have special options such as medications or vaccines that counteract the patient’s reaction upon contact with the agent.
Thanks to these two strategies, the patient’s quality of life can be improved by reducing the number of cases of allergic rhinitis that may occur.
How can I avoid complications if I have allergic rhinitis?
The basic tips to avoid a complication are:
Firstly, stay away from the allergy triggering agents. The more exposure the patient has to the allergen, the more difficult it will be to treat the rhinitis and at the same time complications increase.
Secondly, keep an inventory of medications that help fight allergic rhinitis. It is important that these drugs are personalized. That is, prescribed by a professional who knows the particular case and knows what to recommend.
Finally, you can choose to perform nasal lavage to allow the ducts to drain, improve the tension and reduce the presence of the factors that generate the allergy.
When should you see a specialist?
If you notice that your symptoms do not improve despite treatment, you feel that the obstruction in the nasal passages increases or you present other symptoms such as fever, cough, and fatigue.
Do you feel that you are not getting better? You can make an appointment with Dr. Lech who will be able to improve your discomfort quickly.
