Why is it difficult to completely treat allergic rhinitis in children?

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Nam Phong - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital

Allergic rhinitis in children is a condition in which the lining of the nose (the membrane lining the inside of the nose) becomes inflamed due to allergies to internal and external agents. When exposed to allergens, the body releases histamine, which causes itching, swelling, and fluid buildup on the inside of the nose. Allergic rhinitis is a very common disease in children, although not life-threatening, it makes children feel uncomfortable, recurrent, difficult to stop the disease.

The typical climate of Vietnam is tropical monsoon climate. Our country has 4 seasons a year, but the most obvious are two typical climate seasons: hot and humid summer with southwest monsoon and cold and dry winter with northeast monsoon. Climate change many times a year is a condition for allergic rhinitis to develop. Along with that, the economic development in big cities affects the environment, the increasing environmental pollution will lead to an increase in the number of patients with allergic rhinitis, especially in children. children with weak resistance.

Allergic rhinitis in children is difficult to completely cure, often recurs because the pathogenic mechanism is related to allergies. Allergens are known as allergens, which are ubiquitous in the environment. Therefore, only when the allergen is completely eliminated, that is, when the child is no longer exposed to them, can the disease be cured. In fact, this is not easy to do.

The causative agents of allergic rhinitis in children exist in the environment, in the everyday air that the child breathes in, such as house dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, pollen particles, and grasses. Rabies, cosmetics, detergents,... The disease is related to the following risk factors: the child's body is inherently sensitive to allergens, the family has a parent who is often allergic or in the pedigree. Children with allergies, children often come into contact with allergens, such as inhaling house dust, cat and dog hair, pollen, cosmetics such as perfume, baby powder, scent from laundry detergent, clothes softener. The disease is also caused by infectious factors, environmental factors due to sudden changes in weather (it becomes cold, humidity increases and decreases), polluted environment, high concentrations of toxins in the air, causing disease. irritation of the nasal cavity mucosa, creating conditions for allergic rhinitis to appear. In addition, the structural and anatomical dimorphism of the nasal cavity is also the cause of allergic rhinitis in children. Some allergens are present all year round, while others are more common in special seasons, for example: house mites, molds, insects are often high in the summer with lots of rain, high humidity, and pollen, grass pollen is more common at the end of the year, near Tet.
This explains why allergic rhinitis in young children is often present year-round, is difficult to treat, and can be worse at certain times of the year. These allergens are usually very small, exist in the air, and it is difficult to determine exactly which type of allergen is causing your baby's rhinitis. Therefore, doctors must perform specialized allergy tests to help parents find the cause, thereby finding an effective treatment plan.

The goal of treatment for allergic rhinitis in young children is mainly to reduce symptoms to a minimum and to select appropriate drugs that are both effective and have few unwanted side effects. There are many medicines to treat allergic rhinitis in children, which are divided into 2 groups: oral drugs and topical drugs (inhaled or sprayed directly into the nose).

3.1. Group of oral medications Antihistamines for allergies (such as chlorpheniramine, loratadine, cetirizine) help relieve symptoms of nasal itching, runny nose, runny nose, watery eyes, but have no effect on treating nasal congestion; Antibiotics are used when the cause of the illness is related to an infection; Oral glucocorticoid drugs, such as prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone, are only used in severe and chronic sinusitis. 3.2. Group of drugs for topical use Nasal drops or sprays containing 0.9% NaCl (also known as "physiological saline" solution) help clear and clean the nose. This is a medicine for allergic rhinitis suitable for children, infants, pregnant women and adults.
When the symptoms of allergic rhinitis in children appear for a long time and the parents do not know the cause, they should take them to a hospital or doctor's office specializing in paediatrics or allergies for a thorough examination. carefully, accurately diagnose the cause of the disease, screen for other possible allergic diseases, so that the baby is treated correctly and fully.
Ear, nose and throat specialist - Vinmec International General Hospital specializes in examining and treating common ENT diseases such as: rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, tonsillitis, sore throat, tinnitus ear, non-allergic rhinitis, throat cancer; tumors of the head, face and neck, congenital malformations of the ear, nose and throat area by common surgical methods.
In addition, parents should also add some supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... The need for nutrients at the same time supports the immune system, enhances resistance, reduces the risk of upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, flu.
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