Allergic Rhinitis - Causes

Several allergens (substances inducing allergy in the body) are responsible for troublesome episodes of allergic rhinitis. Common causes include:

• Pollen
• Dust
• Outdoor moulds
• House dust mites
• Wood dust
• Exposure to certain animals (including pets)
• Cockroaches
• Rodents
• Irritants such as smoke, pollution, and strong smells.

Exposure to allergens such as pollen or dust by a susceptible individual causes his/her body to release certain chemicals, including 'histamine', which mainly accounts for developing allergy symptoms such as itchy nose, swelling, and mucus production. In addition to allergens, other factors that cause allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) include environmental and genetic factors.

Weather: Hot, dry, and windy weather can possibly trigger an allergy attack, which may be due to increased amounts of pollen in the air because of such weather. On the other hand, fewer incidences of allergy attack may be reported during cool, damp, rainy days because most pollen can get washed to the ground in such conditions.

Genetics: Allergic diseases are significantly linked to heredity. It means that you are likely to have 50% chances of developing allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy), if both of your parents are affected by the same. Also, you have 30% chances of developing it if only one of your parents suffers from allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy).

However, depending from person to person, triggers associated with allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy) may vary, and it is essential for patients to identify their causative factors that are responsible for the allergic attacks.