Once called “hay fever“, allergic rhinitis is nothing more than an inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes triggered by exposure to a substance, the allergen, to which the immune system of allergic people reacts in an unusual way.
In practice, there are people whose immune system responds exaggeratedly to those substances that are generally harmless: they consider them harmful and produce specific antibodies (IgE) to fight them.
Among the causes of these reactions there are pollen that spread in the air, but also smog and house dust, which cause in addition to the real cold, sneezing and itching in the nose and throat, eye irritations such as conjunctivitis and, in severe cases, headache.
Complications to prevent
What happens if you don’t treat yourself properly? The inflammation can become chronic and lead to the development of otitis media, sinusitis and nasal polyposis.
Allergic rhinitis can also become a trigger for worsening asthma in sufferers.
The two diseases are in fact often present simultaneously: 40 percent of those who have allergic rhinitis also suffer from asthma and those who suffer from asthma are all at risk of allergic rhinitis.
Mucous sparing vitamin
A US research has revealed that the alteration of the nasal mucous membranes characteristic of allergic rhinitis can also decrease thanks to an adequate daily intake of vitamin C.
To do this you can eat more green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. Or by resorting to multivitamin supplements.
By strengthening the immune system, vitamin C can lead to a reduction in symptoms. In addition, by supporting skin health, vitamin C can bring relief to irritated mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.