The causes of allergic rhinitis and its triggers all around you

Allergic rhinitis is a type of inflammation of the nasal lining that is triggered by the entry of foreign substances into the respiratory tract. Also known as nasal allergies, the main cause of this condition is an excessive immune system response. Instead of protecting the body, this response creates an allergic reaction.

For people with allergic rhinitis, activities inside and outside the home can both trigger an allergic reaction. This is because the causes of allergies are scattered in all corners of the house and in the surrounding environment. Even so, you can reduce the risk of an allergy recurrence with simple preventive measures.

What exactly causes allergic rhinitis?

Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to foreign substances that are actually harmless. Foreign substances that have the potential to trigger allergies are known as allergens.

Under normal conditions, the immune system will protect you from germs, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. The immune system is also active against certain substances, compounds, or substances that can cause damage to the body.

This response is actually beneficial for the body. However, the conditions are different in people with allergic rhinitis. Their immune system responds to allergens so much that what appears is an allergic reaction.

When you inhale an allergen, your immune system releases a chemical called histamine. At the same time, the immune system also forms Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies and calls up other immune cells.

Histamine, immune cells, and other substances that cause allergic rhinitis then move to the area where the allergen comes in. The area then develops inflammation, swelling, and other symptoms related to allergies.

Histamine usually affects not only the respiratory system, but also many areas of the body at once. This is why the symptoms of allergic rhinitis vary widely, from a congested nose, watery eyes, an itchy face, to the appearance of dark spots under the eyes.

Allergic rhinitis doesn't just show up

Allergic rhinitis doesn't appear immediately when you are exposed to an allergen for the first time. Allergic reactions are conditions that develop over a long time, maybe even years, so that new allergies appear as adults.

For example, when you inhale dust or pollen for the first time, your immune system does not respond in a big way. The immune system has to recognize and remember it first, then start forming IgE antibodies.

The more often you are exposed to the same allergens, the more sensitive your immune system will be to them. This process is known as sensitization and usually begins in childhood. This is the reason why many children experience allergies.

Gradually, your body becomes very sensitive to these allergens. Dust or pollen, which previously only triggered sneezing, now causes coughing, runny nose, and even shortness of breath which increases with age.

This is what causes the severity of allergic rhinitis in adults. Untreated childhood allergies eventually get worse. If it is like this, you should consult your doctor to get the right allergic rhinitis medication.

Various triggers for allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis occurs when you inhale the tiny allergen granules. Almost anything around you can be an allergen, whether you are indoors or out.

However, there are some allergens that most often trigger allergic rhinitis, namely:

1. House dust mites

House dust mites are one of the most common triggers for allergic rhinitis in the home. Mites are invisible insects that feed on dead human skin cells. These insects live among upholstered furniture, carpets, pillows and mattresses.

You can also find dust mites in the corners of your home. These microscopic bugs are present throughout the year, but their population tends to increase during the dry season when the air is very dry.

The cause of recurrence of allergic rhinitis is not actually the mites themselves, but the chemicals in their feces. Once inhaled, these chemicals will trigger an immune system reaction, causing reactions in the form of sneezing, congestion, and so on.

2. Pollen

Flowers, grass, and trees use pollen to reproduce. However, its small granules make pollen easy to blow away and be inhaled. This pollen is what eventually causes allergic rhinitis in many people.

Pollen-induced allergic rhinitis is known as hay fever. If you have this condition, you will notice that the symptoms get worse in hot, dry weather, especially when the wind is strong.

Meanwhile, in the rainy season, pollen is usually carried by rainwater to the ground so that there is less chance of inhaling it. In general, the source of hay fever allergens can be estimated based on the division of seasons, namely:

• Allergies that appear in late April to May are usually triggered by tree pollen.
• Allergies that appear in late May to mid July are usually triggered by grass and moss pollen.
• Allergies that appear at the end of August to the end of the year are usually triggered by pollen ragweed , but this plant is rarely found on the Asian continent.

3. Mold and mildew

Like mites, mold and mildew are the causes of recurrence of allergic rhinitis from the home environment. Fungi reproduce using spores. The spores of the fungus are so small that they can float in the air and be inhaled without realizing it.

Meanwhile, there is a lot of moss in humid places such as washing machines, shower curtains, and rooms with poor air circulation. Moss also grows a lot on weathered wood and in areas of the house that are often exposed to water seepage.

If pollen and mites are more abundant in the dry season, mold and mildew actually increase during the rainy season. Therefore, you need to ensure good air circulation in the house to prevent mold and mildew growth.

4. Pets

Pet owners need extra efforts to prevent allergies. This is because pets can trigger allergies. Allergens usually come from the hair, dead skin cells, urine, and saliva that stick to the animal's body.

The animals that cause allergic rhinitis most often are cats and dogs. Even so, there are people who are allergic to hamsters, rabbits, rats, and livestock such as cows and horses.

The good news is, introducing animals to children can reduce the risk of allergies as adults. Make sure you keep an eye on children when interacting with animals. Keep children away from animals if they have a severe allergic reaction.

5. Dust

Dust contains various allergens. The dust in the house usually consists of mite droppings, animal hair, mold spores, and dead skin cells. One or more of these allergens can trigger an immune reaction when inhaled.

6. Allergens in the work environment

Many people experience allergic rhinitis as a result of being exposed to allergens in offices, factories, or other work environments. Some of the most common allergens found in the work environment include:

• air pollution,
• engine smoke, combustion, or cigarettes,
• sawdust,
• chemical material,
• perfume, cologne , and fragrances of the like,
• hair spray,
• rubber and latex,
• livestock hair and manure,
• aerosol spray (small liquid droplets),
• cold temperatures due to air conditioning, as well
• dry air.

It does not rule out other substances that cause allergic rhinitis that are not mentioned above. If you feel allergic symptoms after inhaling a substance, consult a doctor to find out the cause and solution.

Who is at risk for allergic rhinitis?

Anyone can get allergic rhinitis, but the risk is higher if your family has a history of the condition. Your chances of developing allergic rhinitis are even greater if both of your parents have nasal allergies.

In addition, people who suffer from asthma or atopic dermatitis (eczema) are also prone to developing allergic rhinitis. The reason is, these various conditions are closely related to an excessive response of the immune system.

If you work in an area with allergens, always wear protective equipment and follow health protocols to reduce exposure. You can also follow simple lifestyle changes to prevent allergies.

Every now and then, there's nothing wrong with discussing with an allergy specialist to find out your current health condition. Your doctor can recommend an allergy test to detect possible allergies as early as possible.