[Diary Point | Reporter Park Bo-young] South Korea’s Policy Briefing released a video titled “Yep, I Have Rhinitis” on November 6. Allergic rhinitis can cause sneezing and a runny nose much like a cold, but symptoms often begin soon after exposure to an allergen and commonly include itchy eyes or nose.
Colds are caused by viral infections and may come with a sore throat, cough, body aches or a mild fever. Allergic rhinitis usually does not cause a fever, and symptoms can persist while a person is exposed to the trigger. When symptoms alone don’t make the cause clear, the timing of recurring episodes and other symptoms can offer clues.
Recurring itchiness and clear nasal discharge can be clues
Allergic rhinitis can be triggered by dust mites, mold, and pet hair or dander—not just pollen. Repeated sneezing, nasal congestion or clear discharge after spending time in a particular environment, along with itchy or watery eyes, may point to an allergy.
To ease symptoms, limit contact with environments suspected of containing the trigger. Washing your face and showering after going outside can help remove allergens from your body and hair. A saline nasal rinse can wash mucus and irritants from the nose. Use sterile or distilled water, or water that has been boiled and cooled.
Get medical care if symptoms disrupt daily life or treatment isn’t helping
Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays may help relieve symptoms, but the right medication can depend on your symptoms and overall health. Decongestant nasal sprays for congestion can make it worse if used for too long, so follow the product’s directions on how long to use them.
See a healthcare professional if symptoms wake you at night, interfere with daily activities, do not improve with treatment discussed with a pharmacist, or have no clear cause. People with asthma should also seek care if their asthma symptoms worsen.