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Is Surgery a Cure for Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common illnesses today in the United States, affecting about 20 percent of the population. Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergic rhinitis, even with surgery, but there are many ways you can treat this affliction. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to help treat allergic rhinitis, along with a few other therapies that can be added to your everyday routine.

  1. Description

    • Allergic rhinitis is when a person suffers from blocked or inflamed nasal passages, usually due to allergens both outdoors and indoors. Some people are affected with this rhinitis year-round, while others have reactions only at certain times during the year, usually referred to as seasonal allergies. Allergic rhinitis usually occurs before the age of 30, and can affect a person their entire life. It is often considered to be passed onto children from parents who also suffer from allergic rhinitis.

    Symptoms

    • Sufferers of allergic rhinitis complain of consistent post-nasal drip, watery and itchy eyes, recurring sneezing fits, nasal congestion, headaches and fatigue. There are physical attributes associated with allergic rhinitis as well, such as dark bags under the eyes, redness of the whites of the eyes, puffy eyelids and creases under the eyes. Many people also have nasal polyps, which can be surgically removed.

    Surgery

    • Although surgery will not cure allergic rhinitis, it can help make the process of treatment easier. For example, if the patient's nose has any kind of physical defect that inhibits breathing, that can seriously aggravate allergic rhinitis. There are two surgeries that can be performed to alleviate these problems. One is endoscopic surgery, which can help to remove nasal polyps or a deviated septum (crooked nose). Another surgery is tympanotomy, or draining fluid from the middle ear. Tubes can even be inserted into the middle ear (typanostomy), which is often done on children with excessive ear infections.

    Medicines

    • Over-the-counter medicine is a good source of immediate relief for people suffering from mild or seasonal allergic rhinitis. However, if your symptoms are more severe, prescription medication may need to be taken. Antihistamines, which help block allergic reactions, can be taken orally or applied to the skin with lotions or ointments. Nasal decongestants help to break up the blockage in the sinuses and help clear up headaches and stuffy ears. Eyedrops help to relieve itchiness and redness, and hydrate dry eyes. Nasal corticosteroid sprays can also be used to alleviate symptoms.

    Immunotherapy

    • Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, can be given in severe cases of allergic rhinitis. Basically, the allergen is injected into the blood, beginning with very low doses. Over time, the dosage steadily increases until the immune system is less sensitive to that particular allergen. Before prescribing immunotherapy, the doctor must do either a skin or blood allergy test to see which substance the patient has an allergic reaction to. This can be one or several different allergens.

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