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Allergic rhinitis is also called vasomotor rhinitis; it is an allergic disease of the nasal mucosa and can cause a variety of complications. There is also a type triggered by nonspecific irritation, with no specific allergen involved and not an immune reaction process, but whose clinical manifestations are similar to the above two types of allergic rhinitis; this is called vasomotor rhinitis, or neuroreflex rhinitis. The irritants may come from outside the body (physical or chemical factors), or from within the body (endocrine or psychological factors). For this reason, some people regard it as essentially allergic rhinitis; however, because there is no antigen-antibody reaction in the body, desensitization therapy, steroids, and immunotherapy are all ineffective.
This disease can occur at any age, including infancy. Most patients develop it before the age of 20, and it is a common illness. Domestic and foreign literature reports that as many as 10% of children and 20% of adolescents suffer from perennial rhinitis, the majority of which is allergic. About 75% of children with asthma also have this disease. Because patients with nasal congestion are forced to breathe through the mouth, more allergens are inhaled directly through the oral cavity, thereby worsening asthma. Allergic rhinitis shows no gender difference in incidence. Its occurrence is related to genetic factors, environmental factors, and exposure to allergens.
Sneezing, nasal itching, runny nose, and nasal congestion are the four most common symptoms. Sneezing is most prominent in the early morning and upon waking; older children typically sneeze more than five times each episode. When nasal congestion is severe, the child breathes through the mouth. Because nasal discharge flows backward into the nasopharynx at night and triggers repeated coughing, the child keeps clearing the throat. Nasal congestion often changes with body position: if lying on the left side, the left nostril is blocked and the right nostril is open; if lying on the right side, the right nostril is blocked and the left nostril is open. Nasal rubbing is a characteristic manifestation of rhinitis; children can be seen repeatedly rubbing the front of the nose with their fingers or palms. This action is called “allergic salute.” Some children, because of nasal itching, often make odd movements such as twisting the mouth or wrinkling the nose. Older children may complain of a diminished sense of smell. Nasal discharge is watery, but may become thick because of nasal congestion or secondary infection. Children may also show gray-blue ring-shaped dark shadows and folds under the eyes, called “allergic shiners” or “Dennie—Mergan infraorbital folds.” These are caused by edema around the eyes and venous congestion, and are also a characteristic manifestation of eye and nasal allergy in atopic children. Associated eye symptoms, including itchy eyes, are more common in cases caused by animal allergens and seasonal pollen, and the affected child often has a family history of allergy.
Internal examination of the nasal cavity shows swelling of the turbinates, which are often pale white or purple, with a thin layer of watery mucus covering them. In severe cases, the swollen turbinates may completely block the nasal passage.
Symptoms:
① red, itchy eyes and tearing
② nasal itching, lots of nasal discharge, usually watery; purulent discharge when infected
③ blocked nasal passages, stuffy ears
④ sneezing (usually sudden and violent)
⑤ dark circles under the eyes (caused by frequent rubbing of the eyes)
⑥ mouth breathing
⑦ diminished or lost sense of smell
⑧ dizziness, headache
⑨ children may develop the allergic salute due to rubbing their nose (allergic salute).
[Common associated symptoms]
① insomnia
② sinusitis, that is, infection of the sinuses
③ otitis media, that is, infection of the middle ear
④ nosebleeds.
Translated from the Chinese original with AI assistance. The original text is authoritative.
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