Most likely you or someone you know has allergies. The telltale itchy, puffy, watery eyes and red, stuffy nose signal changes in the seasons in homes and workplaces across the country. What these people suffer from is allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. The medical name for this condition refers to stuffy and itchy nose ("rhin-"), the most common symptom.
Hay fever is an allergic reaction. It is your immune system's response to foreign material in the air you breathe. Hay fever usually refers to allergies to outdoor, airborne materials such as pollens and molds.Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for the inflamed, runny nose that's the main symptom of allergies. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic disease. About 35 million Americans suffer from this condition. The ailment’s classic symptoms are watery nasal discharge, and fits of sneezing, and itching that can affect not just the nose but the roof of the mouth, throat and the Eustachian tubes which connect the middle ear to the back of the throat.
The treatment of hay fever depends on the severity, symptoms, and consequences of the disease.Corticosteroid nasal sprays,antihistamines,leukotriene inhibitors,cromolyn sodium,decongestants etc. are the choice according to severity of the condition.Recently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today the approval of Omnaris (ciclesonide) nasal spray, a new drug for the treatment of nasal symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, in adults and children 12 years of age and older.
Although the precise way Omnaris works is unknown, the drug is a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are hormone-like drugs that suppress the immune response.
The safety and efficacy of Omnaris nasal spray were studied in four randomized placebo controlled clinical trials ranging in duration from two weeks to a year. The studies assessed how well Omnaris treated symptoms (runny nose, nasal itching, sneezing, and nasal congestion) in patients with hay fever. The results of these trials showed that patients treated with Omnaris nasal spray had an 8-10 percent greater reduction in nasal symptoms compared to placebo. The difference between Omnaris nasal spray and placebo was significant.
The most common side effects in clinical studies were headache, nosebleeds, and inflammation of the nose and throat linings.
Omnaris is manufactured by ALTANA Pharma US, Inc. of Florham Park, NJ.
Tips to avoid seasonal allergic rhinitis:
Raking and burning autumn leaves is a rite of the season for many, but those with allergies may want to avoid it, experts say.
Here are some other tips from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) on avoiding allergy triggers this fall:
*Don't mow your lawn or rake leaves, which can stir up pollens and molds. If possible, hire someone to do your fall yard work to avoid being exposed to these allergy triggers. If you do mow or rake, wear a mask to prevent breathing in mold and pollen.
*Keep leaves, grass and yard clippings, and compost away from your house to reduce the number of mold spores that can enter your house. Cut back any trees and/or brush that are close to the house.
*Check daily pollen counts in your area.
*Stay inside when your neighbors are burning leaves or mowing the lawn, especially if it's windy.
*Don't hang bedding or clothing out to dry because they may collect pollens and molds. Use a clothes dryer instead.
*Keep your outdoor activity to a minimum when plants are pumping out pollen. Ragweed pollen tends to peak in the morning hours, but other pollens and mold spores may be present at other times of the day.
*Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollens or molds from entering your home. Use air conditioning, which cleans, cools and dries the air.
*Follow instructions for taking allergy medications. Don't take more than the recommended dose in an attempt to reduce your allergy symptoms.
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