Hay fever : Allergic rhinitis caused by grass pollens, it is known as hay fever.
Treatment
Antihistamines
Antihistamine drugs can be taken orally and nasally to control symptoms such as sneezing, rhinorrhea, itching, and conjunctivitis.
Steroids
Intranasal corticosteroids are used to control symptoms associated with sneezing, rhinorrhea, itching, and nasal congestion.
Other
Other measures that may be used second line include: decongestants, cromolyn, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and nonpharmacologic therapies such as nasal irrigation
Allergic rhinitis : Allergic rhinitis is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways. It occurs when an allergen, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander (particles of shed skin and hair) is inhaled by an individual with a sensitized immune system. In such individuals, the allergen triggers the production of the antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE), which binds to mast cells and basophils containing histamine.Allergic rhinitis caused by pollens commonly called hay fever or seasonal allergy.
Drugs Used
(1) ANTIHISTAMINES - Azelastine Hydrochloride
(2) CORTICOSTEROIDS - Beclometasone, Betamethasone,Budesonide,Fflunisolide,Fluticasone, Mometasone, and Triamcinolone
(3) DECONGESTANTS - Cromoglicate
Sinusitis : Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses. It occurs as the result of an infection from a virus, bacteria, or fungus.
CAUSES
The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull. They are located behind the forehead, nasal bones, cheeks, and eyes. Healthy sinuses contain no bacteria or other germs. Most of the time, mucus is able to drain out and air is able to flow through the sinuses.
When the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus builds up, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily.
Sinusitis can occur from one of these conditions:
• Small hairs (cilia) in the sinuses fail to properly to move mucus out. This may be due to some medical conditions.
• Colds and allergies may cause too much mucus to be made or block the opening of the sinuses.
• A deviated nasal septum, nasal bone spur, or nasal polyps may block the opening of the sinuses.
There are two types of sinusitis:
• Acute sinutitis is when symptoms are present for 4 weeks or less. It is caused by bacteria growing in the sinuses.
• Chronic sinusitis is when swelling and inflammation of the sinuses are present for longer than 3 months. It may be caused by bacteria or a fungus.
The following may increase the risk that an adult or child will develop sinusitis:
• Allergic rhinitis or hay fever
• Cystic fibrosis
• Going to day care
• Diseases that prevent the cilia from working properly
• Changes in altitude (flying or scuba diving)
• Large adenoids
• Smoking
• Weakened immune system from HIV or chemotherapy
Symptoms
The symptoms of acute sinusitis in adults usually follow a cold that does not get better or gets worse after 5 - 7 days. Symptoms include:
• Bad breath or loss of smell
• Cough, often worse at night
• Fatigue and general feeling of being ill
• Fever
• Headache -- pressure-like pain, pain behind the eyes, toothache, or tenderness of the face
• Nasal stuffiness and discharge
• Sore throat and postnasal drip
Symptoms of chronic sinusitis are the same as those of acute sinusitis, but tend to be milder and last longer than 12 weeks.
Symptoms of sinusitis in children include:
• Cold or respiratory illness that has been getting better and then begins to get worse
• High fever, along with a darkened nasal discharge, that lasts for at least 3 days
• Nasal discharge, with or without a cough, that has been present for more than 10 days and is not improving
MEDICATIONS AND OTHER TREATMENTS
Most of the time, antibiotics are not needed for acute sinusitis. Most of these infections go away on their own. Even when antibiotics do help, they may only slightly reduce the time it takes for the infection to go away. Antibiotics may be prescribed sooner for:
• Children with nasal discharge, possibly with a cough, that is not getting better after 2 - 3 weeks
• Fever higher than 102.2° Fahrenheit (39° Celsius)
• Headache or pain in the face
• Severe swelling around the eyes
Acute sinusitis should be treated for 10 - 14 days. Chronic sinusitis should be treated for 3 - 4 weeks. Some people with chronic sinusitis may need special medicines to treat fungal infections.
At some point, your doctor will consider:
• Other prescription medications
• More testing
• Referral to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) or allergy specialist
Other treatments for sinusitis include:
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy) to help prevent the disease from returning
• Avoiding allergy triggers
• Nasal corticosteroid sprays and antihistamines to decrease swelling, especially if there are nasal polyps or allergies