Air conditioning may induce allergic rhinitis

The temperature is very high in summer. The hot and humid weather often makes people feel irritable and depressed. Air-conditioned rooms are people's favorite places. However, for patients with allergic rhinitis, air-conditioned rooms are not good news, but may induce rhinitis. However, in summer, public transportation, shopping malls, office buildings, hospitals and other places are all air-conditioned, which is a headache for patients with rhinitis. Patients with allergic rhinitis in summer need to pay attention to many issues.

1. Can allergic rhinitis be cured?

It is a common and frequently occurring disease. Survey data show that the incidence of allergic rhinitis in adults is as high as about 30%, and in children it is about 20%, and the incidence is on the rise. So people often ask: "Doctor, can my allergic rhinitis be cured?" After many years of seeking medical treatment and taking medicine, the treatment effect is almost the same. The medicine works for a period of time, but it will recur after a period of time after stopping the medicine. In fact, allergic rhinitis is an allergic disease. Its root cause is mainly related to allergic constitution. It is congenital and closely related to genetics. Therefore, current drug treatments can only relieve symptoms but cannot cure the disease.

2. Is air conditioning the “fuse” of allergic rhinitis?

In the hot summer, air conditioning is the most effective way to fight the heat. However, the air from the air conditioner is mixed with dust particles inside the air conditioner. For people with allergies, if the air conditioner is idle for a long time and is not disinfected before use, it can easily cause rhinitis, Legionnaires' disease and other diseases. The direction of air flow in air-conditioned rooms changes frequently, and the increased air flow speed causes constant changes in air heat. These factors interfere with people's sense of smell and weaken the body's response and resistance to viruses, allergens and odors in the air.

The humidity in air-conditioned rooms is often high, which can have adverse effects on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and other organs. Frequent entry and exit of air-conditioned rooms and sudden changes in temperature can easily cause respiratory diseases, and allergic rhinitis will come knocking under such circumstances. Therefore, patients with allergic rhinitis must do these two points when using air conditioning.

1. Install high-efficiency air filtration devices to reduce the use of air conditioners or fans; when using air conditioners, avoid direct air conditioning and prevent the temperature from being too low.

2. Clean the air conditioner filter (rinse with clean water after removal); clean the heat exchanger in the air conditioner; install filter cloth with air filtration effect on the air inlet side of the air conditioner and clean it regularly.

3. Summer protection against rhinitis is the key

In summer, there are strong winds and heavy rains. Patients with allergic rhinitis are easily contaminated by allergens. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out cleaning work at the same time as medication treatment.

1. Try to avoid contact with allergens. Common allergens include fur, dust mites, cold air, dust, food (such as eggs, fish and shrimp), bacterial infection, pollen, etc.; in terms of diet, it is necessary to ensure that the food sources are clean and do not eat seafood such as fish and shrimp that are prone to allergies. During the pollen spreading season, reduce outdoor activities.

2. If conditions permit, allergen desensitization treatment can be performed to reduce the high reactivity of the nasal mucosa.

3. Take precautions in daily life, such as washing curtains frequently or not using them, not laying carpets, and avoiding using upholstered furniture; wash bed sheets with warm water every week, and wrap mattresses, bed frames, and pillows with anti-allergen covers; clean the room promptly and thoroughly, keep the kitchen and bathroom dry, and remove damp areas.