Like Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis (hay fever), Perennial Allergic Rhinitis usually begins in childhood and continues into adulthood, but it is not uncommon for a person to become allergic later in life.

Although the reactions are similar, perennial allergic rhinitis, sometimes called Chronic Perennial Rhinitis, is not caused by seasonal pollens but by allergens that are abundant all year round. Most common are the excrement of house dust mites and animal dander from pets. In some cases chronic allergic symptoms can be due to a less obvious cause such as spores from household mould or a mild food allergy, though the latter is rare.

Prevention

It is even harder for someone with perennial allergic rhinitis to avoid their triggers than it is for a hay fever sufferer, simply because our homes and workplaces are full of them, all year round.

If you are allergic to animals, it is a protein found in their dander (skin flakes) and saliva that triggers your allergy, so you will suffer less if you avoid pets altogether, or restrict the areas in your home where your pet is allowed to go, such as on the furniture and in the bedroom.

House dust mites, or rather their excrement, are more difficult to tackle as they are almost everywhere. It would be impossible to rid your house of them, but you can reduce your suffering by minimising their presence.

In both cases you can tackle the problem by swapping carpets for wooden floors, washing clothes and bedding regularly in very hot water, and using allergen-tight bedding to keep allergens in check while you sleep. Air filters, vacuum filters and anti-allergy household cleaners also help to keep a clean environment.

If you find that your symptoms are worse in certain rooms, it could be that your allergy is triggered by mould spores. These often crop up in warm, damp areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Their growth can be prevented by controlling temperature and humidity using dehumidifiers and vents, and by regularly opening windows in steamy environments. Old books, carpets, wallpaper and some plants tend to harbour mould, so it is best to get rid of them or to move them out of your environment.

Treatment

While hay fever is caused by allergens hitting external membranes, perennial symptoms usually stem from allergens being inhaled deep into the lungs, so many medications that are effective in treating hay fever symptoms will be much less effective.

Anti-allergy treatments for the eyes and nose, for example, will provide little benefit since they are designed to be administered at the source of the problem. Antihistamines may provide some relief but will be far less effective than for hay fever.

Decongestants, on the other hand, may well prove more beneficial than in hay fever due to the fact that in this case the stuffy nose often is caused by congestion.

The most effective treatment for perennial rhinitis is a low-dose steroid course, usually in the form of a nasal spray or drops, that will help combat symptoms caused by excessive histamine release, i.e. runny nose and eyes, and local irritation.

In more severe cases a drug called Ipratropium, commonly used to control asthma, can be given to help relieve airway constriction and to help dry up a constantly dripping nose.

In cases where symptoms have become overpowering, immunotherapy may be helpful.

19/05/2009