In late summer and early autumn, when the weather starts to cool down, many people's noses turn on like a faucet, sneeze continuously, and their eyes itch uncontrollably... This may be caused by allergic rhinitis in autumn. Why is allergic rhinitis prone to occur in autumn? How to distinguish between rhinitis and cold? Can allergic rhinitis be cured? What are the preventive measures? Listen to what the experts have to say. The culprit of allergic rhinitis in autumn is not the virus, but the pollen and mold in nature. ”Xue Tao, Deputy Chief Physician of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery at Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University, introduced that in autumn, especially from late August to October, Artemisia annua, Houttuynia cordata, ragweed and other plants in northern China enter a prosperous pollination period. Their pollen particles are small, abundant, and lightweight, and can float far with the wind. These pollen are strong allergens for people with sensitive immune systems, and once inhaled, they can trigger an excessive immune response. The increase in autumn rainfall, falling leaves, and humid environment provide a breeding ground for the growth of mold. The spores released by mold float in the air and are also common allergens. Meanwhile, the cold air in autumn stimulates the nasal cavity, which can easily trigger symptoms of rhinitis. After the weather turns cooler, the number of windows opened decreases, leading to an increase in indoor dust mites, pet dander, and other concentrations, forming a "pincer attack" with outdoor allergens. Xue Tao said that many people mistakenly treat rhinitis as a cold, which actually delays the condition. In fact, it is not difficult to distinguish between the two. Firstly, the course of the illness can be examined. A cold usually resolves on its own within about a week, while symptoms of rhinitis can last for several weeks or even longer, consistent with the exposure cycle of allergens. You can also look at the symptoms. Rhinitis has typical symptoms such as nasal itching, paroxysmal sneezing, watery nasal discharge, and nasal congestion, while colds are more common for systemic symptoms such as sore throat, general fatigue, muscle soreness, and fever. You can also look at your eyes. Rhinitis is often accompanied by allergic conjunctivitis symptoms such as itching, redness, and tearing, while colds are rare. Chen Xiaodong, Deputy Chief Physician of Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck Surgery at Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University, introduced that allergic rhinitis is currently difficult to cure, but can be effectively controlled in the long term through scientific means, allowing patients to live a normal life. From the perspective of basic prevention, avoiding allergens is fundamental. It is recommended that patients reduce outdoor activities during periods of high pollen concentration and wear masks and goggles when going out. Immediately wash your hands, face, and nasal cavity with saline solution after returning home, and change clothes. Close doors and windows, use air purifiers and fresh air systems with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, change bedding frequently, and prevent and eliminate mites. Chen Xiaodong stated that conventional medication treatment is the main way to control the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Nasal corticosteroids are the first-line preferred medication with strong anti-inflammatory effects and high safety, but they need to be used in a standardized manner. Oral or nasal antihistamines can quickly relieve sneezing, runny nose, and itching. Leukotriene receptor antagonists have a better effect on patients with concomitant asthma. Experts suggest that if patients are deeply troubled by allergic rhinitis, they should first go to the hospital's otolaryngology or allergy department for allergen testing, clarify the cause, and after sufficient communication with doctors, develop lifestyle interventions and professional treatment plans. (New Society)