When it comes to allergic rhinitis (i.e., allergic rhinitis), I believe we are no longer strangers to it. I do not want to enumerate the esoteric theories and data, so I will explain them in words that you can understand and read, hoping to give some help to the families of the affected children.
First, allergic rhinitis is part of the systemic manifestations of allergic diseases.
Allergic diseases are simply acute or chronic inflammatory reactions that occur after exposure to allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions in the body) in people with atopic constitutions. In the skin, it is hives and eczema; in the eyes, itchy eyes; in the nose, continuous sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose and nasal congestion; in the bronchial tract, coughing and wheezing; in the gastrointestinal tract, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even bleeding. Therefore, patients with allergic rhinitis often have manifestations of allergies in other areas. Children who also have allergic manifestations in other areas should be alert to the presence of more allergic symptoms. This is the kind of clinical thinking that a good doctor should have. The human body is, after all, a whole, and a doctor cannot simply treat the head when it hurts and treat the foot when it hurts. A doctor can’t add other drugs on top of antibiotics for everything that’s wrong, that’s just not right! Unfortunately, the reality is that the situation is still basically antibiotics as the basic medication to treat many pediatric diseases.
Second, allergic rhinitis symptoms and treatment strategies.
The main symptoms of typical allergic rhinitis have been presented earlier. In addition, there are other symptoms of allergic rhinitis, such as loss of smell and headache. If combined with sinusitis or bacterial infection of the nasal mucosa, the nose can be runny and even bloody, and the headache can be aggravated. Combined with adenoid hypertrophy, it can cause snoring, and in serious cases, it can cause sleep apnea, leading to brain hypoxia, which will affect memory and intelligence over time; combined with nasal polyps, there will be foreign body sensation, and combined with otitis media, there will be ear pain, ear stuffiness, tinnitus, and even cause hearing loss.
How to treat children with allergic rhinitis?
1. Try to avoid contact with allergens: this is the most important means. Such as: flowers, small animals (pets), blankets, long stuffed toys, perfume, smoke, newly purchased furniture, newly renovated houses (formaldehyde), cold air, etc.. There is a need for families to use air purification devices, more vacuum cleaners at home, and more bedding.
2, drug control symptoms: clinicians can make a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis based on the typical symptoms and signs of the child’s nose and the results of allergen tests. Then, according to the child’s symptoms, signs, duration and degree, then classify the two into four types of allergic rhinitis: mild intermittent, moderate-severe intermittent, mild persistent, and moderate-severe persistent, and this classification is the basis for choosing a stepwise treatment plan for the child.
(1) Hormones: They have anti-metamorphic and anti-inflammatory effects and can significantly reduce various inflammatory reactions and relieve nasal metamorphosis, including nasal congestion symptoms. This type of preparation is used at the dose used for 1 to 2 weeks, then an assessment of the condition is made and the dose is adjusted according to the efficacy. The principle of drug use is to use the smallest dose to achieve good efficacy.
(2) Antihistamines: They are often called anti-allergy drugs, such as Xanthemin and Kerratan, but they have some drowsy side effects and can be taken at night before going to bed. Effective for itchy nose, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion is not effective.
(3) Leukotriene receptor antagonists: The name Montelukast (cisplatin) will not be unfamiliar to you, and similarly to Zallust. The drug is safe, almost no side effects, can be used alone, but also in combination with hormones, antihistamines together, has the efficacy of treatment and prevention of rhinitis attacks, effective for nasal congestion. The disadvantage is that it is more expensive and not reimbursed by health insurance.
(4) Decongestants: ephedrine, norepinephrine drugs, as the name suggests, can reduce the congestion and swelling of the nasal mucosa to relieve nasal congestion.
But should not be used for a long time and overuse, can cause drug rhinitis, blood pressure changes and other abnormalities.
(5) Nasal wash: seawater preparations are commonly used to wash the nasal cavity, reduce the accumulation of secretions and reduce the chance of secondary bacterial infection. However, infants and children have difficulties in washing their nasal cavity and poor cooperation.
3, desensitization therapy: is considered a fundamental treatment method, the purpose is to use a small dose of allergens made of reagents, used daily to stimulate the body to produce an immune response, over time, the body will produce immune tolerance to the stimulus, the body allergic reaction to such stimuli is reduced. However, the disadvantages are the long course of treatment (usually 2-3 years), the high cost (about 20,000 yuan), the small variety of reagents, the need to stop the drug when there is an infection and fever, and the applicability to children over 5 years old. For children with single allergen allergy, the use of desensitization therapy has a symptom relief rate of 80-85% and is expected to be an ideal IT method in the future.
Third, prevention.
To prevent the occurrence of rhinitis, it is best to know what children are allergic to and then stay away from the allergen.
(1) If the child is allergic to fur or mites, remove all the down bedding, and regularly expose the bedding to the sun and vacuum more often; (2) If the allergy is very strong, you can use anti-allergy medication, both topical and systemic. (3) If the allergy is seasonal, you can slowly stop using the medication after the period; (4) If the allergic rhinitis is induced by a cold, the main thing is to exercise the body to reduce the cold, which can also play a preventive role; (5) If the allergic symptoms appear every year in September and October, you should use the medication early to prevent them. (5) If you have allergic symptoms every year in September and October, you should take some medicine to prevent them, so that even if you have allergic rhinitis, the symptoms will be reduced.
(6) nasal health exercises: two things thumb side edge, on both sides of the back of the nose for up and down alternately rub the skin, each time rub until the local skin has a warm feeling, once a day in the morning and evening, adhere to the operation, there will be benefits.