New Delhi: Are you constantly sneezing and coughing and you are compelled to think whether cold-like symptoms — the sneezing, congestion, and runny nose — have something to do with the recent weather change. If you get similar symptoms at the same time every year, then you're likely right: seasonal allergies are at work. 

Prevalence of allergic diseases including asthma, rhinitis, anaphylaxis, food, drug or insect allergy, is rising worldwide affecting about 10-25% of population being one of the top ten reasons for visit to primary care physicians. Though it often adversely affects the quality of life; in India allergic rhinitis is often regarded as trivial disease and patients fail to attribute the ill health to its symptoms.

 In India more than 20-30% of the population is reported to be afflicted with an allergic rhinitis.

“A rising prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis has been found not only in children, but also in adults. The peak in incidence of AR occurs during young adult years. AR develops before the age of 20 years in 80% of cases, peaking in adolescence. Interestingly, in childhood, male gender is more susceptible but the ratio equalizes in adulthood. Although AR prevalence declines with age, it is also an important health concern in older adults,” says Dr.Ritesh Gupta, Additional Director Fortis CDOC, New Delhi. 

Seasonal allergies, sometimes called "hay fever" or seasonal allergic rhinitis, are allergy symptoms that happen during certain times of the year, usually when outdoor moulds release their spores, and trees, grasses, and weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants.

The immune systems of people who are allergic to mould spores or pollen treat these particles (called allergens) as invaders and release chemicals, including histamine, into the bloodstream to defend against them. It's the release of these chemicals that causes allergy symptoms.
 
Symptoms:

The symptoms of allergic rhinitis may at first feel like those of a cold. But in the case of hay fever, symptoms usually appear when a person encounters an allergen, such as pollen or mold.

Symptoms include itchy eyes, itchy nose, itchy throat, itchy ears, sneezing, irritability, nasal congestion and hoarseness. People may also experience cough, postnasal drip, sinus pressure or headaches, decreased sense of smell, snoring, sleep apnea, fatigue and asthma, Josephson said. 

Many of these symptoms are an immune overreaction by the body attempting to protect the vital and sensitive respiratory system from outside invaders. The antibodies produced by the body succeed in keeping the foreign invaders out, but also cause the symptoms characteristic of allergic responses.

People can develop hay fever at any age, but most people are diagnosed with the disorder in childhood or early adulthood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms typically become less severe as people age. 
 
Types of Allergic Rhinitis:

The two types of allergic rhinitis are seasonal and perennial. Seasonal allergies usually occur during the spring and fall season and are typically in response to outdoor allergens like pollen. Perennial allergies can occur year round, or at any time during the year in response to indoor substances, like dust mites and pet dander.

Common Allergens: 

Allergic rhinitis is frequently caused by exposure to perennial or seasonal allergens present in the indoor and outdoor environment, the most common ones being: Pollens (grass, trees, weeds), house dust mites, pets, molds.9 The study by Deb et al showed that blockers had significantly more sensitization to polyvalent house dust, house dust mites and fungi, whereas sneezers-runners had more sensitization to pollens.
 
Dr S.S. Gaur, General Physician based in Gurgaon says, “Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease, affecting one third of the worldwide population. In India millions of people has been found to suffer from allergic rhinitis. Yet they have low acceptance level for disease as well as proper medication. They self-medicate by popping over-the-counter cold medication pills which hardly bring any relief. In fact, the drug's side-effects make the symptoms even worse.” 

Treatments for allergic rhinitis:

You can treat your allergic rhinitis in several ways. These include medications, as well as home remedies and possibly alternative medicines. Visiting a doctor for rhinitis should be preferred.

Home remedies

Home remedies will depend on your allergens. If you have seasonal or pollen allergies, you can try using an air conditioner instead of opening your windows. If possible, add a filter designed for allergies.

Using a dehumidifier or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter can help you control your allergies while indoors. If you’re allergic to dust mites, wash your sheets and blankets in hot water that’s above 130°F (54.4°C). Adding a HEPA filter to your vacuum and vacuuming weekly may also help. Limiting carpet in your home can also be useful.