Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis

  • Overview
  • Approach
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is allergic rhinitis?

    Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the membranes lining the nose. The disease is characterized by sneezing, congestion, clear mucous and itchiness in the nasal passages or roof of the mouth. The disease may exist along with allergic conjunctivitis (characterized by itchy, watery eyes that may also be red or swollen).

    Allergic rhinitis may be seasonal or perennial (year round), or may occur sporadically after specific exposures to allergens.

    • Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) tends to be associated with cyclical changes in the environment. About 10 to 30% of the population has seasonal rhinitis.
    • Perennial allergic rhinitis does not show a seasonal pattern; this may reflect the patient’s continuous exposure to the offending allergen (e.g., animals, house dust mites, occupational exposures).

    Our Approach
    • We treat more than 5,000 patients every year.
    • We take a step-by-step approach that takes you – as a whole person – into account.
    • If you need surgery, we perform more than 500 sinus surgeries every year. And, when it comes to surgery, experience really counts.

    Appointment Information

    To make an appointment, please call 734-936-8051.

    What are the symptoms of allergic rhinitis?

    Allergy symptoms may start within minutes or hours after you breathe in an allergen. And the symptoms can last for days.

    When symptoms start right away, you may sneeze over and over again. This often happens after you wake up in the morning. You may have a tickle in your throat or coughing caused by postnasal drip. Your nose may be runny. And your eyes may be watery and itchy. Your ears, nose, and throat may also be itchy.

    Other symptoms may take longer to appear. For example, you may have a stuffy nose. You may feel pressure in one or both ears, or have pain in your face. Your eyes may be sensitive to light. You may also have a long-lasting cough. Some people notice dark circles under their eyes.

    Your symptoms may be better or worse at different times of the year.

    How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?

    Assessment of the patient begins with:

    • A detailed history regarding the pattern, frequency, duration, severity and seasonality of symptoms
    • Response to medications
    • Presence of coexisting conditions (especially hereditary conditions)
    • Occupational exposure
    • Environmental history and
    • Identification of precipitating factors 

    We pay attention to how your symptoms affect your quality of life, physical and social functioning, mental health, energy level and general health. We also discuss your response to the previous medications you have tried.

    Many allergic rhinitis cases do not require testing, but testing can be helpful to:

    • Distinguish allergic from non-allergic rhinitis symptoms
    • Identify specific allergens that may cause symptoms and
    • Identify allergens for immunotherapy

    Skin tests are more sensitive, faster and more cost effective than RAST* testing.

    Antihistamines should be stopped 7-10 days before skin testing, but do not need to be stopped prior to RAST serum tests. Intranasal corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, decongestants, oral corticosteroids do not need to be stopped for skin testing.

    *RAST (short for “radioallergosorbent”) is a blood test used to determine the substances a person is allergic to.

    How is allergic rhinitis treated?

    We begin with the simplest, least expensive, least invasive and lowest risk forms of intervention. Then we proceed to more advanced treatment options, as necessary, if the symptoms are not controlled with the first step or two.

    We recommend the following step-by-step approach:

    • Proper identification of all the allergens that trigger your allergy reactions:
    • Pollens – usually from trees, grasses and weeds
    • Molds
    • House dust mites
    • Animal allergens
    • Insect allergens
    • Avoidance measures to minimize exposure to those allergens.
    • Pharmacotherapy (medication) to control symptoms.
    • Immunotherapy (vaccines or allergy shots) in patients where it is possible and likely to be effective.
    • Special pharmaceutical therapies.
    • Surgery for patients who have persistent nasal obstruction and have had inadequate responses to the prior therapies.

    Locations
    • Otolaryngology Clinic | Northville Health Center 39901 Traditions Dr
      Floor 2
      Northville, MI 48168-9493       Get Directions
    • Otolaryngology Clinic | Taubman Center 1500 E Medical Center Dr
      Floor 1 Reception A
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5312       Get Directions
    • Otolaryngology Clinic | West Ann Arbor Health Center-Parkland Plaza 380 Parkland Plaza Ste 210
      Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48103-6201       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Amarbir Singh Gill, MD

    Amarbir Singh Gill, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Otolaryngology

    Melissa Ann Pynnonen, MD

    Melissa Ann Pynnonen, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Otolaryngology

    Mark A Zacharek, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Otolaryngology

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