Tag Archives: allergic rhinitis

Cryotherapy for Allergy Treatment: How It Works and Is It Worth It?

One of the most common symptoms of an allergic reaction is a runny nose. However, this is usually mistaken as a symptom of a common cold. But you should know that your runny nose is not because of a cold. If you are not sure, you can find an allergy doctor to determine whether your sniffles are indeed due to an allergic reaction.

Is it really an allergic reaction?

Sometimes, you might not need to go to an allergist if you have a runny nose. You can find out by yourself if your runny nose is because of an allergy. For one, if those sniffles have been bugging you for the past couple of weeks, chances are it is due to allergies.

This condition is called chronic rhinitis. If you experience this, you should seek immediate treatment. Visit an allergist so that you will feel better and get rid of the annoying sniffling all day and all night. Allergic rhinitis can be due to common allergens like pet dander, pollen, dust mites, as well as household products, perfume, and even hormonal changes.

There is another type of rhinitis called the vasomotor rhinitis. It usually happens due to nasal hyperactivity, but can be treated using steroid sprays. However, steroid sprays may only provide relief in a short amount of time. Another treatment one can consider is through cryotherapy.

What is cryotherapy?

Perhaps you have already heard about cryotherapy. Some people associate cryotherapy with exposing the body to freezing cold temperatures. Cryotherapy is also being used to hasten muscle recovery. It is also said that NBA superstar Lebron James is an avid fan of cryotherapy.

However, cryotherapy can also be a breakthrough treatment for allergic reactions such as rhinitis. The difference is that cryotherapy for allergy treatment won’t require you to expose your body to freezing temperatures. Instead, it involves freezing some nasal nerves to lessen your sniffles.

Freezing the nasal nerves will block the signals that cause congestion, runny nose, or sneezing. This treatment is said to be ideal for those with chronic allergies or those whose allergic and asthma treatments are not effective.

But before trying any treatments for the first time, it is also a good idea to consult an allergist specialist. You might also have to undergo allergy testing to make sure that you are getting the right treatment through cryotherapy.

How cryotherapy works

Cryotherapy is a minimally-invasive treatment that involves using local anesthesia and a cryotherapy probe. The latter will then be inserted into the nostril and freeze the nasal nerves. The end result should supposedly lessen or eliminate stuffy or runny nose. This treatment can promise long-term relief from runny nose and other symptoms of rhinitis.

The treatment itself is painless, except for the insertion part. The entire treatment may require several sessions for better results, but it may depend on the therapy provider. Your allergy doctor might be aware of this treatment, while some might not. Nonetheless, it is best to consult a doctor first before trying any medication or treatment.

What happens after cryotherapy?

Undergoing cryotherapy won’t take a lot of your time to recover. Although, you might have to lie low a little bit and avoid strenuous activities in the meantime. You might also expect some side effects such as a noticeable increased nasal congestion. But you can also expect significant improvements around two to six weeks after the therapy.

It is also important to note that cryotherapy won’t get rid of your allergies entirely. This is because allergies are mostly an immune system concern. That said, cryotherapy has nothing to do with your immune system. Instead, it will provide only treatment by doing something on your nasal nerves.

Also, cryotherapy may not be recommended for those with specific health issues such as:

  • Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria
  • Raynaud’s disease
  • Cryoglobulinemia
  • Cold urticarial
  • Open wounds or specific skin conditions
  • Diabetes
  • Sensitivity to cold temperatures
  • Blood disorders
  • Neuropathic conditions

If you experience frequent rhinitis and do not have the abovementioned health conditions, then you can try cryotherapy. It does not require surgery although it is minimally invasive.

There will be some mild discomfort but you will notice results after a few weeks post-treatment. However, make sure to consult an allergist doctor in Germantown prior to your planned cryotherapy treatment.

What You Need to Know about Allergic Rhinitis

Sneezing is often associated with colds and often results in stuffy or runny nose and watery eyes. To help alleviate your cold symptoms, doctors would usually prescribe cold medications to lessen your sniffles. But if you sneeze a lot, suddenly feel itchy all over, or end up with runny nose and watery eyes even without symptoms of colds, chances are you may have allergic rhinitis.

It is said that around 40 to 60 million – or even more – Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis. Also known as hay fever, this condition often affects your nasal area. If you think you have allergic rhinitis, you should consult an allergist doctor near you and given the right medications to manage the condition.

Knowing more about allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis usually occurs when you inhale something that you are allergic to, such as pollen, pet dander, or a certain perfume. This condition also occurs if you ingest something that you are allergic as well, such as seafood or eggs. However, the more commonly known type of allergic rhinitis is more on the former wherein you experience adverse reactions upon inhalation of an allergic.

There are instances wherein a person do not realize he or she is allergic to something unless already inhaled or ingested. In such cases, it can result in the manifestation of similar symptoms as in common colds such as a runny and stuffy nose, and watery eyes. If you experience this after suspicion of getting into contact with a potential allergen, head to the nearest allergy clinic immediately.

As mentioned, allergic rhinitis or hay fever is usually triggered by a pollen allergic reaction. In other words, it may happen when you are outdoors as they may come from plants and then blown away by the wind. However, it can also happen indoors especially if you are not fond of regular dusting and if you have furry pets.

Types of allergic rhinitis

It is important to note that allergic rhinitis or hay fever has two major forms: seasonal and perennial. The former occurs especially during springtime to early fall, and are usually caused by airborne spores or pollen from trees, weeds, and grass.

The latter, on the other hand, happens all year-round. It can be caused by indoor or outdoor allergen triggers like dust mites, pollen, pet dander. Some food allergies may also result in perennial allergic rhinitis, although this is a rare instance. In some cases, there are people who experience both.

That is why you should consult an allergy doctor if you experience possible symptoms of hay fever. An allergy specialist doctor will provide medications and treatment to help manage your condition. At the same time, it will prevent your condition from worsening which can lead to further complications.

Symptoms

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology or AAAAI revealed that there is around eight percent of American adults suffer from hay fever. On the other hand, it is also believed that as much as 30 percent of the total global population have this condition.

An allergy physician and other allergy experts suggest getting treatment from allergies if you or someone you know experience one or more of the following symptoms.

  • Repetitive sneezing
  • Runny, stuffy, and itchy nose
  • Itchy or sore throat
  • Coughing
  • Itchy and watery eyes (usually accompanied with sneezing and runny nose)
  • Itchy and dry skin, or hives in worse cases
  • Fatigue and headache

These symptoms usually show up as immediately as you come into contact with an allergen. On the other hand, some of the symptoms such as fatigue and headache may occur following long-term exposure to the specified allergens. Nevertheless, it is best to consult an allergist doctor to help manage your condition.

Treatment

Doctors would normally prescribe antihistamines to help manage allergic symptoms. Antihistamines work by halting the production of histamines in the body, of which the latter contribute to the allergic reactions. Among common over-the-counter antihistamine medications include loratadine (popularly known as Claritin), cetirizine (also known as Zyrtec), and diphenhydramine (generic name of Benedryl).

Some are also given nasal decongestants to relieve sinus pressure and stuffy nose. However, prolonged use of these products can result in a rebound effect and make the condition worse. Also, it is better to consult an allergist first before taking or using these medications.

Finding an allergy expert near you

If you experience any symptoms of allergic rhinitis, never delay treatment. Instead, visit the best allergist in Germantown MD immediately for proper treatment.