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Suggest Treatment For Post Nasal Drip

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Posted on Wed, 1 Mar 2017
Question: I am 55 male, i get a allergy from the cold , nose runny, , ears are clogged, post nasal drip . tried all allergy meds nothing works .it starts in December ,and i still have it
doctor
Answered by Dr. Riddhi Shah (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Avoidance of environmental and allergic factors like Pollens

Detailed Answer:
Hi,thank you for posting your query oh Health Care Magic.

Looking at your symptoms, you are probably suffering from Allergic rhinitis (Inflammation of nose due to Allergy). Sneezing, watery nasal discharge are main symptoms of Allergy. Congestion and edema of the nose occurs due to inflammation. This leads to blockage of Eustachian tube(a tube connecting middle ear and nose)with blockage of ear. The nasal secretions pass to the throat leading to posterior nasal drip and irritate the throat.

Laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis include the following: Allergy skin tests(it would help to find out that to which substances you are Allergic), Total serum IgE, Total blood eosinophil count(IgE and Eosinophil count might be elevated in case of Allergy). It would be advisable that you undergo these tests.

Common causes of Seasonal allergic rhinitis include:pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, dust,animal dander, etc.House dust mite,mold spores,etc in the house act as triggering factors.

The management of allergic rhinitis consists of 3 major categories of treatment, (1) environmental control measures and allergen avoidance, (2) pharmacological management, and (3) immunotherapy.

Environmental control measures and allergen avoidance involve both the avoidance of known allergens (substances to which you are found allergic on allergy testing) and avoidance of nonspecific, or irritant, triggers.

In case of Allergy to pollens,you can apply following measures:
Keep windows and doors closed in your home, and turn on the air conditioner.Shed your shoes when you enter your home, and shower — and rinse or wash your hair — as soon as you come in for the day.Buy HEPA filters for your air conditioning units, a dehumidifier (which kills pollen spores and other allergens in the air) and/or an air purifying machine.Skin and hair holds a lot of pollen, which can trigger allergic reactions while we sleep.Avoid the outdoors during peak pollen-producing times, which are typically in the early morning.
Rinse the pollen off of your pets after they come in from outside.

For dust mites, covering the mattress and pillows with impermeable covers helps reduce exposure. Bed linens should be washed every 2 weeks in hot water to kill any mites present. Thorough and efficient vacuum cleaning of carpets and rugs can help. Dust mites thrive when indoor humidity is above 50%, so dehumidification, air conditioning, or both is helpful.

Control measures for mold allergy focus on reduction of excessive humidity and removal of standing water.

For animal allergy, complete avoidance is the best option.

Exposure to smoke, strong perfumes and scents, fumes, rapid changes in temperature, and outdoor pollution can be nonspecific triggers in patients with allergic rhinitis. Consider avoidance of these situations or triggers if they seem to aggravate symptoms.

You might find relief by taking following medicines if you have not tried yet:

Steroid Nasal spray like Mometasone-helps against allergy and reduces inflammation,
Oral Decongestant like Phenylephrine and Nasal decongestant drops like Xylometazoline-they help to decongest the nose and sinus cavity and helps in nasal blockage (take decongestant only if you are not suffering from Hypertension,Heart problem,kidney and urinary problem,high pressure in the eyes-glaucoma)
Antihistaminic like Levocetirizine-helps against Allergy,
Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen(in case of headache/ear pain or throat pain)
Antacid like Rantac -It helps against the increased acid formation in stomach due to the use of Analgesic and
Saline nasal spray-helps to moist the nasal cavity and removal of allergen particles from nose.

If you suffer from high grade fever or fever continuous for more than 2 days,pus discharge from nose,etc suggesting of secondary bacterial infection,then you might need to take oral Antibiotics after consulting an Otolaryngologist Doctor.

Also do steam inhalation. Do warm saline gargles. Avoid cold food.Drink lots of fluids(warm).Foods with natural antihistamine properties such as garlic, onions, citrus and apples,might also help.

Immunotherapy: may be considered in a patient with with severe disease, poor response to other management options in which the patient is introduced to gradually increasing doses of Allergen to which the patient is known to be sensitive on Allergy testing.

Hope this answers your question.I would be happy to answer if you have any follow-up questions.

Take care.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Riddhi Shah

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 533 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Post Nasal Drip

Brief Answer: Avoidance of environmental and allergic factors like Pollens Detailed Answer: Hi,thank you for posting your query oh Health Care Magic. Looking at your symptoms, you are probably suffering from Allergic rhinitis (Inflammation of nose due to Allergy). Sneezing, watery nasal discharge are main symptoms of Allergy. Congestion and edema of the nose occurs due to inflammation. This leads to blockage of Eustachian tube(a tube connecting middle ear and nose)with blockage of ear. The nasal secretions pass to the throat leading to posterior nasal drip and irritate the throat. Laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis include the following: Allergy skin tests(it would help to find out that to which substances you are Allergic), Total serum IgE, Total blood eosinophil count(IgE and Eosinophil count might be elevated in case of Allergy). It would be advisable that you undergo these tests. Common causes of Seasonal allergic rhinitis include:pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, dust,animal dander, etc.House dust mite,mold spores,etc in the house act as triggering factors. The management of allergic rhinitis consists of 3 major categories of treatment, (1) environmental control measures and allergen avoidance, (2) pharmacological management, and (3) immunotherapy. Environmental control measures and allergen avoidance involve both the avoidance of known allergens (substances to which you are found allergic on allergy testing) and avoidance of nonspecific, or irritant, triggers. In case of Allergy to pollens,you can apply following measures: Keep windows and doors closed in your home, and turn on the air conditioner.Shed your shoes when you enter your home, and shower — and rinse or wash your hair — as soon as you come in for the day.Buy HEPA filters for your air conditioning units, a dehumidifier (which kills pollen spores and other allergens in the air) and/or an air purifying machine.Skin and hair holds a lot of pollen, which can trigger allergic reactions while we sleep.Avoid the outdoors during peak pollen-producing times, which are typically in the early morning. Rinse the pollen off of your pets after they come in from outside. For dust mites, covering the mattress and pillows with impermeable covers helps reduce exposure. Bed linens should be washed every 2 weeks in hot water to kill any mites present. Thorough and efficient vacuum cleaning of carpets and rugs can help. Dust mites thrive when indoor humidity is above 50%, so dehumidification, air conditioning, or both is helpful. Control measures for mold allergy focus on reduction of excessive humidity and removal of standing water. For animal allergy, complete avoidance is the best option. Exposure to smoke, strong perfumes and scents, fumes, rapid changes in temperature, and outdoor pollution can be nonspecific triggers in patients with allergic rhinitis. Consider avoidance of these situations or triggers if they seem to aggravate symptoms. You might find relief by taking following medicines if you have not tried yet: Steroid Nasal spray like Mometasone-helps against allergy and reduces inflammation, Oral Decongestant like Phenylephrine and Nasal decongestant drops like Xylometazoline-they help to decongest the nose and sinus cavity and helps in nasal blockage (take decongestant only if you are not suffering from Hypertension,Heart problem,kidney and urinary problem,high pressure in the eyes-glaucoma) Antihistaminic like Levocetirizine-helps against Allergy, Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen(in case of headache/ear pain or throat pain) Antacid like Rantac -It helps against the increased acid formation in stomach due to the use of Analgesic and Saline nasal spray-helps to moist the nasal cavity and removal of allergen particles from nose. If you suffer from high grade fever or fever continuous for more than 2 days,pus discharge from nose,etc suggesting of secondary bacterial infection,then you might need to take oral Antibiotics after consulting an Otolaryngologist Doctor. Also do steam inhalation. Do warm saline gargles. Avoid cold food.Drink lots of fluids(warm).Foods with natural antihistamine properties such as garlic, onions, citrus and apples,might also help. Immunotherapy: may be considered in a patient with with severe disease, poor response to other management options in which the patient is introduced to gradually increasing doses of Allergen to which the patient is known to be sensitive on Allergy testing. Hope this answers your question.I would be happy to answer if you have any follow-up questions. Take care.