Can rhinitis cause itchy eyes?

Rhinitis has been bothering us and affecting our lives. We all know that many serious diseases are caused by minor illnesses that, due to untimely treatment, develop into major illnesses. Therefore, if you have some minor discomfort in your body, do not ignore it. For example, allergic rhinitis may also cause itchy eyes. So if this symptom occurs, how should we solve it? What else should we pay attention to?

1. Allergic rhinitis can cause itchy eyes

We all know that many serious diseases are often caused by the failure to treat minor illnesses in a timely manner. Because of this, if you experience some minor discomfort in your body, don't be careless. For example, allergic rhinitis can also cause itchy eyes.

In response to this issue, experts pointed out that rhinitis can easily cause inflammation of the eyes and throat. To reduce eye inflammation, it is best to start by treating rhinitis. After the pathogenic bacteria in the nasal cavity are eliminated, the inflammation will be reduced, and the eye inflammation will also be relieved. So, what exactly is itchy eyes due to allergic rhinitis?

Why do allergic rhinitis cause itchy eyes? Experts say: In clinical treatment, allergic rhinitis is a type of allergic rhinitis, which can occur at any age, but is more common in young and middle-aged people. The cause of allergic rhinitis is due to the local manifestation of allergens in the nasal mucosa, and patients often have a family history of allergic rhinitis.

When it comes to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, many people will think of: coughing, sneezing which is usually sudden and violent, runny nose, dizziness, decreased sense of smell, red and itchy eyes, and tears, etc. In fact, "pig nose" and "dark circles" are also typical symptoms of long-term allergic rhinitis.

Children’s dark circles are related to allergic rhinitis. The more severe the rhinitis symptoms are and the longer they last, the darker the children’s dark circles will be. If rhinitis is not cured for a long time and the baby keeps rubbing his nose, it will cause the nose tip to become enlarged, which is commonly known as a "pig nose". In this regard, experts remind that children are in the growth and development period, their immune function is not yet perfect, and their resistance is relatively low, so they are very susceptible to allergic rhinitis.

If allergic rhinitis is not treated in time, it is likely to cause many complications, itchy eyes being one of them. Therefore, we must not ignore allergic rhinitis. Once your nasal cavity becomes uncomfortable, or you have symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, etc., please seek treatment in time.

2. Differential Diagnosis

1. Hypertrophic rhinitis

Persistent nasal congestion is often severe, with little nasal discharge, which is mucous or mucopurulent, and is generally accompanied by varying degrees of headache, dizziness, and decreased sense of smell.

2. Allergic rhinitis

The severity of nasal congestion varies and often occurs suddenly. The nasal discharge is clear and abundant, often accompanied by nasal itching, frequent sneezing, etc.

3. Vasomotor rhinitis

Symptoms are similar to those of variant rhinitis, with sudden onset and rapid resolution. There are obvious predisposing factors.

4. Flu

The systemic symptoms are severe, such as high fever, chills, headache, joint and muscle aches all over the body, etc. Upper respiratory tract symptoms are not obvious.

5. Acute infectious diseases

Some acute respiratory infectious diseases, such as measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, etc., may show symptoms of acute rhinitis in the early stages. In addition to the symptoms of acute rhinitis, these diseases also have manifestations of the disease itself, and have severe systemic symptoms such as high fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches all over the body. It can be identified through detailed physical examination and close observation of the course of the disease.

6. Nasal diphtheria

Children patients should be careful to identify this disease. Nasal diphtheria is accompanied by bloody mucus and severe systemic symptoms, and is often complicated by pharyngeal diphtheria.

Complications

1. Acute sinusitis

Nasal inflammation spreads into the sinuses through the sinus openings, causing acute purulent sinusitis, among which maxillary sinusitis and ethmoid sinusitis are the most common.

2. Acute otitis media

The infection spreads to the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.

3. Acute pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis

It is caused by the spread of infection downward through the nasopharynx. Children, the elderly and those with low immunity may also develop pneumonia.

4. Vestibulitis

The infection spreads directly forward.

5. Other infections

It may spread through the nasolacrimal duct and cause eye complications such as conjunctivitis and dacryocystitis.

IV. Treatment

1. Treatment of the cause

Identify systemic and local causes, and promptly treat systemic chronic diseases, sinusitis, adjacent infected lesions, and deviated nasal septum. Improve living and working environment, exercise, and enhance body resistance.

2. Local treatment

(1) Intranasal glucocorticoids are the first choice for chronic rhinitis. They have good anti-inflammatory effects and ultimately produce a decongestive effect. It can be used for a longer period of time as needed, with good efficacy and safety.

(2) Nasal cleaning: For those with more or thicker nasal secretions, the nasal cavity can be cleaned with normal saline to remove the nasal secretions and improve nasal ventilation.

(3) Oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray can be used as an intranasal decongestant, and continuous use should not exceed 7 days. If you need to continue using it, you need to stop for 3 to 5 days. Long-term use of 0.5% to 1% ephedrine nasal drops can damage the ciliary structure of the nasal mucosa and should be avoided as much as possible. If it is necessary to use it, use it in small amounts intermittently. The use of nasal drops is prohibited because it has been shown to cause drug-induced rhinitis.

(4) Other treatments include blockade therapy, acupuncture therapy, etc., which are rarely used.