Five Symptoms that you might have Allergic Rhinitis

The symptoms that we see are our bodies mechanism to shake off , remove or fight against the allergens. A pollen or any other 'allergen' might not be an allergen for you but for someone else. It depends on the make-up of our immune system which is defined genetically as well by the environment we have been exposed to. Research show that people can also grow allergic with time (Miller, 1996).

1 . Starts with sneezing

I sneezed mostly  during the first four month of my stay in Bangalore (Feb- April). It was more than just occasional sneezing.  One can  know that this is not normal sneezing. Like I would sneeze continuously 6-7 times, several times a day.  I kept thinking it was the dust. I kept taking cetrizine (antihistamine) as most of Indians do.

2. Runny/stuffy nose

Initially,  I would mostly have runny nose during the spring season and sometime in autumn season too. Every time I would wake up I will start sneezing and have a terrible runny nose.  Mostly, this worsens in the evenings as the temperature drops.

Side note: some information on the internet indicates that temperature difference while you step out of the bed can also lead to sneezing or temperature induced rhinitis (Graudenz,2006). 

3. Irritation in ears

This depends on your exposure level. Some  people I have learnt tend  to just suffer from intense sneezing. On a heavy pollen day you might feel heavy tickly kind of irritation in the ears.

4.Teary eyes

Some people just tend to sneeze and occasionally  have teary eyes. For me I get teary eyes only sometimes accompanied with the itchiness. 

5. Wheezing

This is the most dreaded stage for me , it is when you might need a heavy anti-histamine or nasal spray (do consult a doctor for any medication).. Wheezing happens when the respiratory tubes start constricting as a response to the allergy . The chest feels extremely heavy. If this is happening for the first time to you do call or see a doctor . Try taking steam as humid air is easy to beath for making your life easy till you cannot see a doctor. Wheezing does not generally starts immediately  for me, either I will be coughing or feeling tightness in the chest. So, by now I know where I am heading to. I generally pop in a light antihistamine at this point.

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References:

Miller, Richard A. "The aging immune system: primer and prospectus." Science 273.5271 (1996): 70.

Graudenz, Gustavo Silveira, et al. "The role of allergic rhinitis in nasal responses to sudden temperature changes." Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 118.5 (2006): 1126-1132.