Allergies

Allergic Rhinitis often goes undetected

Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder that is strongly linked to asthma and conjunctivitis. It is usually a long-standing condition that often goes undetected in the primary-care setting. The classic symptoms of the disorder are nasal congestion, nasal itch, rhinorrhoea and sneezing. A thorough history, physical examination and allergen skin testing are important for establishing the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Allergen immunotherapy is an effective immune-modulating treatment that should be recommended if pharmacologic therapy for allergic rhinitis is not effective or is not tolerated, or if chosen by the patient. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and appropriate management of this disorder.

Modern Medicine – Issue 5 2020

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis It’s that time of year again

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is a common condition, with more than half of sufferers having moderate-to-severe symptoms that affect their quality of life for which Good management is crucial. Many patients self-medicate and treatment is often suboptimal. In the community, many misconceptions remain about the use of intranasal corticosteroid medications.

Modern Medicine – Issue 6 2019

Allergic Rhinitis An update on management

Allergic rhinitis is a common manifestation of atopy that significantly reduces quality of life. A careful history and examination, along with appropriate investigations, are needed to determine the most likely allergens and to direct treatment. Recent advances in allergen immunotherapy show promise and the ‘thunderstorm asthma’ phenomenon emphasises the need for action plans for patients with comorbid asthma. Intranasal corticosteroids and
oral antihistamines are considered first-line therapies.

Modern Medicine – Issue 4 2019

Treating Allergic Conjunctivitis Stops Ocular Surface Disease

The diagnosis of allergic diseases has increased in the last few decades and allergic conjunctivitis has emerged as a significant problem, which can cause severe ocular surface disease. Patients complain of itching, watering and redness. It can result in decreased quality of life, as patients with severe symptoms, if left untreated or treated poorly, may become school dropouts, unable to work outdoors and sometimes fail to sleep. The symptoms are aggravated by exposure to dry and windy climates.

Modern Medicine – Aug/Sept 2018

Relevance of IgE Levels to Allergy Testing

Traditionally, the concept of allergy implied an abnormal response to an otherwise benign agent with an easily identifiable relationship between exposure and disease. However, there are syndromes in which the relationship between exposure to the relevant allergen and the “allergic” disease is not clear. In these cases the presence of specific IgE antibodies can play an important role in identifying the relevant allergen and provide a guide to therapy. Good examples include chronic asthma and exposure to perennial indoor allergens and asthma related to fungal infection.

Modern Medicine – June/July 2018

Beware of Allergic Reactions to Stings and Bites – MM1611

Stings and bites from insects and ticks commonly cause allergic reactions, ranging from a local swelling to major anaphylaxis. Each patient responds in a unique way and the best course of action must be determined, taking several factors into account, including identification of the offending insect and the severity of the reaction.

Modern Medicine – November 2016

Study Reveals Positive IgE Level Association with Respiratory Allergen-related Symptoms – MM1604

Commonly, the relation between IgE sensitization and allergic respiratory symptoms has been evaluated by dichotomizing specific IgE levels. In the study, Olivieri et al (2016)1 evaluated the association between specific IgE levels and risk of symptoms on allergen-related exposure, with special reference to allergen-related asthma-rhinitis comorbidity.
A clear positive association was observed between specific IgE levels to cat/grass/mite and the risk of symptoms on each allergen-related exposure. This trend was particularly pronounced when considering the coexistence of asthmalike and oculonasal symptoms.

Modern Medicine – April 2016