Allergic Rhinitis, also called hay fever, is a nasal allergy caused by environmental allergens like dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander, or even mold spores. This disease occurs when people get exposed to such allergic conditions for a long-time. With the presence of allergens entering the body, the immune system overreacts and then releases histamine, which causes irritation and inflammation in the nose. As a result, a person may experience itchy or watery eyes, running nose, sore throat, sneezing, headache, cough, fatigue, etc.
Children are often exposed to ecosystem allergens, and allergic rhinitis in Singapore is one of the most common kids-affected diseases. Most commonly, children aged between 6 to 10 years often suffer from allergic rhinitis and require the utmost care of an ENT specialist. But before that, it is important to know more about this nose-related disease, its symptoms, and its treatment.
What is allergic rhinitis in children?
As already mentioned, allergic rhinitis is a nasal allergy. It occurs when children playing outside and even at home, encounter an excessive amount of dirt, dust, and other harmful particles.
Harmful substances like pet dander, pollen, and more trigger the release of chemicals called histamine in kids and allow them to experience discomfort.
What are the most common symptoms?
Here's the list of allergic rhinitis symptoms that you can identify when facing discomfort conditions.
· Bad smell
· Blocked nose
· Itchy nose
· Frequent headaches
· Dark circles under the eyes
· Scratchy throat
· Excessive fatigue
· Hives
How to diagnose allergic rhinitis?
Getting to know whether your kid is suffering from allergic rhinitis is a bit difficult. It is because of the fact that small kids are unable to better express their pain and discomfort. To know kids suffering from this disease, you can follow two ways. First, trigger the allergen in your kid by getting him/her exposed to weeds, grease, pollen, dust mites, etc. In case the child sneezes or faces discomfort in the nose, then there are chances of allergic rhinitis. Second, diagnose through a skin prick test with the help of an ENT specialist at Mount Elizabeth in Novena without facing any hassle.
In the skin prick test, allergic substances are injected inside kids' skin to see the reaction and observed the same for 15-min.
What are allergic rhinitis treatment options available for kids?
Depending on the condition of your kids, an ENT specialist will recommend the following few allergic rhinitis treatment options.
· Consume intranasal steroids as a nasal spray to best use at bedtime.
· Antihistamines or anti-allergy oral medication to treat the disease.
· Decongestants will help in providing immediate relief from allergies.
What are the ways to prevent allergic rhinitis in kids?
· Regularly clean the bedroom and sleeping areas of the kids.
· Reduce exposure to allergic substances.
· Make sure to keep the sleeping mattress of kids in sunlight for a few hours after weeks.
· Make use of the wet mop to clean the surroundings.
· Prevent smoking inside the household area.
· Make use of controlled mosquito nets.
· Do make use of a humidifier to prevent nasal irritation.
Conclusion
Many kids suffer from allergic rhinitis from a young age and feel discomfort in their daily life. Schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist to best diagnose the disease and provide the required relief to children.
Author's Bio:
James Evon
James is a highly passionate and experienced content writer specializing in writing for ENT treatments. He writes informative and extensive lines of blogs on treatments, issues, and solutions.