Spring has arrived. The birds are singing, days are warmer, the grass needs mowing, flowers are blooming and allergic rhinitis -- also known as hay fever -- has arrived as well.
Allergic reactions are normal and common, Dr. Matthew Blair, a board-certified otolaryngologist at Gulf Coast Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers in Pensacola, told Florida Business Daily.
"Allergies are a condition where your body reacts to an allergen in the environment, especially in your nose," Blair said. "Your nose is covered with a mucous membrane similar to your mouth. And there's these cells within your nose called mast cells, and they release something called histamine. And histamine is what gives you this overall reaction of itchy eyes, itchy nose, sneezing, clear watery mucus and just stuffiness, that general uncomfortable feeling that you may get."
From there, the body's reaction is quite predictable.
"What that does is it also causes swelling in the tissues in the nose, and they can block openings to the sinuses if you're a chronic allergy sufferer," Blair said.
Nasal allergies, or allergic rhinitis, account for one of the most common causes of chronic illness in the U.S., according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Hay fever often is triggered by inhaling environmental pollutants, such as tree pollen and other airborne particles, in addition to pet dander, insects and mold.
Allergic rhinitis symptoms include stuffy and runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and itching of the eyes, nose and roof of the mouth, according to Mayo Clinic. Those who suffer persistent allergic rhinitis, or pollinosis, often experience symptoms year-round.
A solution that can alleviate symptoms of chronic nasal inflammation is one of the most basic: the Neti Pot. WebMD describes this time-honored form of nasal irrigation as a plastic or ceramic pot "that looks like a cross between a small teapot and Aladdin's magic lamp," which originates from the Ayurvedic/yoga medical tradition.
Research backs up long-time claims that regular use of a Neti Pot, or other nasal irrigation devices, alleviate congestion, as well as facial pain and pressure, for many who suffer from sinus conditions, according to WebMD.
"For some people, nasal irrigation may bring relief of sinus symptoms without the use of medications," WebMD says. "The basic explanation of how the Neti Pot works is that it thins mucus and helps flush it out of the nasal passages."
A study published in 2018 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that saline nasal irrigation had reduced symptoms in the study's 747 participants who were observed over three months, compared to no rinse at all. The study also found that nasal irrigation is an inexpensive yet effective alternative to steroids and over-the-counter medications.
The study cautioned that nasal irrigation is a treatment, not a cure, for nasal inflammation and allergies. Symptoms so severe that they interfere with quality of life should be examined by a ear, nose and throat doctor.
To assess your sinus symptoms, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.