Itchy eyes, watery eyes, nasal congestion, cough… Every time the seasons change, these annoying allergy symptoms act like an invisible net, trapping many people outside the threshold of spring.
Warm and gentle spring breezes greet the eye, while some enjoy the scenery, others are plagued by constant sneezing. Globally, rhinitis, especially allergic rhinitis, has become an escalating health crisis. The World Health Organization estimates that **approximately 400 million people worldwide currently suffer from allergic rhinitis**, and 300 million suffer from asthma.
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## 01 Global Status Quo: A Public Health Issue That Cannot Be Ignored
Allergic diseases have been listed by the World Health Organization as **one of the three major diseases to be prioritized for prevention and control in the 21st century**. From urban centers of developed countries to rural areas of developing countries, the incidence of rhinitis continues to rise.
This health problem transcends national borders and races, becoming a global challenge.
## 02 Trigger Analysis: The Dual Game of Genes and Environment
Rhinitis, especially allergic rhinitis, is essentially a multifactorial disease induced by the interaction of **genes and environment**.
**Genetic factors** are the first and most significant trigger. Allergic rhinitis patients often have an atopic constitution, typically showing familial aggregation. If parents or other relatives have allergic rhinitis, the individual’s risk of developing the disease increases.
**Environmental allergens** are another major trigger. These are mainly divided into inhaled allergens and food allergens.
Dust mites are the most prevalent allergens in subtropical and tropical regions. House dust mites feed on human dander and primarily live in mattresses, under beds, pillows, carpets, and plush toys.
Wind-pollinated pollen, due to its massive dispersion and long-distance transport, can affect people hundreds of kilometers away from the pollen source.
**Climate change** is also a significant trigger for rhinitis. Changes in temperature, humidity, and air pressure can affect the normal function of the nasal mucosa, leading to the aggravation or onset of rhinitis symptoms.
**Immune system abnormalities** are an internal condition for rhinitis. When the body’s immune system misinterprets harmless substances as threats, it releases inflammatory mediators such as histamine, causing inflammation and allergic reactions in the nasal mucosa.
## 03 Prevention Strategies: Building Five Lines of Defense
Faced with the threat of rhinitis, we can take proactive preventative measures. Experts recommend remembering the “five-word mantra”—avoid, protect, regulate, check, and treat—to build a solid defense from five aspects.
**Avoiding contact with allergens** is the first line of defense. For pollen allergies, reduce outdoor time during pollen season, avoiding times when pollen is relatively concentrated, such as 3-4 pm and 8-10 pm.
Wear a well-sealed mask and goggles when going out, and wash your face, hands, and nasal cavity promptly upon returning home.
For dust mites, wash bedding with hot water above 55℃; keep the indoor air dry, controlling humidity below 40-50%. Do not use carpets, and clean air conditioner filters regularly.
**Protecting the nasal mucosa** is the second line of defense. The nasal mucosa is our first physiological barrier against external stimuli. Use a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity between 40% and 60%, and avoid direct airflow from air conditioners into the nasal cavity.
Try not to pick your nose or rub it vigorously with tissues frequently; use medication as prescribed when your nose is congested.
**Adjusting lifestyle habits** is the third line of defense. In terms of diet, eat less spicy, raw, cold, and fried foods. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cold and raw foods easily damage the yang qi of the lungs and spleen, aggravating symptoms of deficiency and cold.
**Ensure sufficient sleep**. It is recommended to go to bed before 11 PM and get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Moderate exercise such as jogging, cycling, yoga, Pilates, basketball, and football can improve immunity.
**Scientific examination** is the fourth line of defense. Many patients mistakenly believe that rhinitis is just “recurring colds.” Rhinitis is mainly characterized by nasal itching, frequent sneezing, clear nasal discharge, and nasal congestion, with symptoms lasting more than two weeks, without fever.
A cold, on the other hand, is often accompanied by fever and body aches, and lasts about one week. If symptoms persist, you should promptly visit an ENT specialist for allergen testing.
**Standardized treatment** is the last line of defense. After a diagnosis of rhinitis, standardized treatment under the guidance of a doctor is necessary. Early intervention can effectively reduce the frequency of rhinitis attacks and protect nasal health.
## 04 Treatment Guidelines: From Traditional Medications to Innovative Therapies
Treatment of rhinitis requires personalized plans based on different types and severity. Modern medicine offers a variety of effective treatment options.
**Drug therapy** is the conventional treatment for rhinitis. Nasal corticosteroids are first-line drugs for controlling allergic rhinitis symptoms and can effectively improve nasal symptoms.
Unlike systemic medications, nasal corticosteroids mainly act on the nasal mucosa, with minimal systemic absorption, thus reducing the risk of systemic side effects.
Anthistamines, whether oral or nasal, are second-generation or newer H1 antihistamines, which can effectively relieve symptoms such as nasal itching, sneezing, and runny nose. For patients with other allergic diseases, systemic drug therapy may be necessary.
Immunotherapy (also known as desensitization therapy) offers a new approach to treating intractable allergies. Through repeated micro-injections of the allergen, the immune system gradually becomes desensitized, ultimately achieving peaceful coexistence with the allergen.
Desensitization therapy induces clinical and immune tolerance, has long-term effects, and can prevent the development of allergic diseases. Allergen-specific immunotherapy commonly uses subcutaneous injection and sublingual administration, with a total treatment course of no less than **2 years**.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has unique advantages in treating rhinitis. TCM refers to allergic rhinitis as “nasal congestion” and believes it is related to **disorders of function of the lung, spleen, and kidney**.
For lung qi deficiency and cold syndrome, in addition to rhinitis symptoms, symptoms often worsen with exposure to cold wind or temperature changes. The treatment formula is Wenfei Zhiliu Dan (温肺止流丹) with modifications. For spleen qi deficiency syndrome, in addition to rhinitis symptoms, there are accompanying symptoms such as poor appetite, abdominal distension, and loose stools. The treatment uses Buzhong Yiqi Tang (补中益气汤) combined with Yupingfeng San (玉屏风散) with modifications.
In addition to rhinitis symptoms, kidney yang deficiency syndrome is accompanied by cold limbs, lower back and knee weakness, and often presents with modified Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet).
Traditional Chinese medicine offers various suitable techniques, including acupuncture, acupressure, herbal foot baths, and winter-disease-summer-treatment plasters. Acupuncture at points such as Yingxiang, Bitong, Yintang, and Hegu can help unblock meridians and harmonize qi and blood.
## 05 Clarifying Misconceptions: Scientific Understanding Avoids Delays
Many misconceptions exist in the prevention and treatment of rhinitis, which need clarification.
**“Nasal corticosteroid sprays will inhibit growth” is a common concern among parents.** In fact, numerous high-quality clinical studies have confirmed that if nasal corticosteroids are used correctly, given that the drug mainly acts locally and the dosage is measured in micrograms, the systemic absorption is extremely low, and **it will not have a direct impact on children’s growth and development.**
**“Rhinitis will naturally improve with age” is also a common misconception. While some children may experience a reduction in allergic rhinitis symptoms as their bodies develop and their immune systems mature.** However, many children with allergic rhinitis do not receive effective treatment, leading to sinusitis, otitis media, adenoid hypertrophy, and other complications that affect their quality of life and even facial development.
**“Swimming can improve rhinitis”** In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that water is cold and damp, easily damaging Yang Qi (vital energy), therefore swimming is not recommended for improving rhinitis. The chlorine-containing disinfectants in swimming pools are highly irritating and can easily irritate sensitive nasal mucosa.
**“Too clean, excessive cleaning”** Some parents believe that the cleaner the home, the better. However, **excessive cleaning may disrupt the balance of normal indoor flora**, making children’s immune systems less adapted to common microorganisms, thus making them more prone to allergies.
The impact of rhinitis goes far beyond sneezing and runny nose; it can trigger a domino effect in the respiratory tract. 40% of allergic rhinitis patients also experience asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.
When individual efforts are combined with systematic social support, a more robust allergy protection network can be woven. Scientific prevention and a positive approach will prevent allergies from “stealing” your life’s seasons.