*What does allergy mean? Allergy is the body's self-harming reaction to a substance that enters or comes into contact with the body. If these reactions occur at normal levels, it is to protect the body. However, in allergic people, the reactions are so high that they can be harmful. The nose is the organ most affected by such allergic reactions.
*How can a child be allergic? Is allergy contagious? Allergy has a genetic predisposition and can start at any age. Allergy is not contagious and there is always a history of allergy in one or more of the family members.
*How does allergy occur? 2-3 minutes after the allergenic substance, which we call allergen, enters the body, the substance we call Histamine is secreted. It reaches its maximum level within 15 minutes. Allergy can occur at any time or only in certain seasons. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is called "hay fever".
*What is rhinitis? All kinds of inflammation of the mucosa lining the inside of the nose is called Rhinitis. If this inflammation is caused by allergic factors, it is called allergic rhinitis.
*What are the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis? What diseases can it cause? The most obvious symptoms of allergic rhinitis are "runny nose", "nasal itching" and "sneezing". In addition to these, other common symptoms are nasal congestion, postnasal drip, scratchy throat, constant nasal clearing, and chronic cough. In addition, frequently recurring middle ear problems, frequently recurring and chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, asthma and skin reactions are common diseases in children with allergic rhinitis.
*What causes allergic rhinitis? There are many known or unknown factors that can cause allergies. The most common ones include house dust mites (mites), pollen, mold fungi, some foods (milk, eggs, strawberries, etc.) and pets.
*How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed? The most important issue in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is what the patient tells (anamnesis) and examination findings. If an allergy diagnosis is considered based on these findings, that patient is considered allergic and allergy treatment is started even if allergy tests are normal.
*What are the examination findings? Nasal discomfort is directly visible during the examination of a patient with allergic rhinitis. Also buru Pale color, increased transparent secretion, edema (swelling), polyps (flesh growth) if present and bruises under the eyes are seen. The image of the inside of the nose is sometimes diagnostic even without listening to the patient's complaints. When viewed from inside the mouth, postnasal drip and pharyngitis may be observed.
*What kind of tests can be done? When allergy is suspected during the examination, the most frequently performed test is the skin test. However, negative results of these tests do not indicate that the patient does not have allergies. There is a possibility of a reaction to an allergen that has not been studied in skin tests, or there is a possibility that an allergen does not cause allergy when it enters through the skin, but causes allergy when it enters through inhalation. Therefore, both examination and laboratory findings are important in the diagnosis of allergy and the initiation of treatment.
*Is a skin test sufficient for diagnosis, to whom can this test be applied? Laboratory skin testing is not sufficient for diagnosis. Apart from the skin test, blood tests such as IgE, ECP and nasal smear can be performed. These tests can be performed on children of all ages, but it is most ideal and appropriate to apply them to children after the age of 2 at the earliest.
*How is allergic rhinitis treated? There are 3 categories in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
1-Staying away from the allergenic substance
2-Medication therapy
3-immunotherapy (vaccine treatment)
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