The allergic rhinitis It is a form of allergy in babies, in addition to being a very frequent picture in the child population, especially in younger children. Some people even refer to it as a picture in newborns.
It consists of an inflammation of the nasal mucosa (which is the part that covers the inside of the nose) as part of an allergic process.
This response generates a series of symptoms such as continuous tearing, mucus secretion or sneezing, which are usually mild but can become very annoying in cases that are a bit more severe.
Causes
The allergic rhinitis is a condition that has a genetic basis, that is, the child inherits it, so it is very common that there is a history of this picture in siblings or in the family.
What happens is that the child's organism recognizes as enemies a series of substances that come into contact with the nasal mucosa. That is why its defensive (or immune) system makes a series of antibodies in response, and these antibodies are what trigger inflammation responses.
The substances that produce the allergy are called allergens. These allergens can be very varied, so they can be typical of certain times of the year (such as pollens) or be present all the time (such as mites or the hair of pets).
Symptoms of allergic rhinitis
The most typical and striking symptoms are the presence of nasal and ocular congestion, abundant nasal secretion (especially in the form of mucus), cough, sneezing and itching.
The most striking of these symptoms is that despite being very obvious they can manifest in many different ways. There are pictures in which they look slightly, while in others they manifest more intensely. But they can also be seen chronically, or in the form of exacerbations (exacerbations) when the child comes into contact with the allergen. This usually happens for example in seasonal tables, such as allergies to certain pollens.
As a result of these symptoms it may happen that the child touches his nose frequently, or that he sleeps badly because he snores, as a result of inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
Treatment
The treatment depends a lot on the allergen (the substance that triggers the reaction), since The basis of treatment is to avoid the child's exposure to that substance. In cases where the substance is known it can be relatively easy to achieve, but it can be an impossible task when it is not known what causes the picture in the child.
Among the drugs that are usually used as a treatment for symptoms are antihistamines, disodium cromoglycate and corticosteroids. These drugs have important side effects, so they should always be prescribed and controlled by the Pediatrician.
Other more advanced treatments are based on immunotherapy and the use of monoclonal antibodies, and are focused on the allergy itself, rather than the symptoms. These treatments also have side effects and can only be used in very specific cases.
In summary…
Allergic rhinitis is a very common condition of allergy in babies but that in most cases usually manifests itself in a mild way. A considerable part of them also resolve over time.
Moderate cases are usually resolved with symptomatic treatment with anti-inflammatories, and some, more severe and rebellious to treatment, may need advanced treatments.
