Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
How are the symptoms of work-related allergic rhinitis treated?How is Allergic Rhinitis treated?
Allergen Avoidance
In many cases the most effective way of treating allergic rhinitis is by avoiding the particular allergen(s) that cause the symptoms in the first place, however this might not be as easy as it may seem. If the allergen is something very specific that is found only in certain places, then this method can be achievable, however in situations such as Hay Fever, when the allergen is often all around you, it can be difficult to avoid entirely, and instead you can look into how to reduce your exposure by looking into your behaviour, location and other factors.
If you only suffer from the condition when in, or shortly after spending time at work, you should speak to your employer about possibly making changes to your employment location, tasks or procedures, or ask them to provide suitable protective equipment so that your exposure to the allergen is reduced significantly or ideally eliminated entirely.
If avoidance is not a plausible solution, there are a range of medications available to treat allergic rhinitis. These include:
Antihistamines – these relieve symptoms by blocking the action of histamine; a chemical that the body releases when it thinks it is under attack from an allergen. Some antihistamine tablets are available over the counter at most chemists, although the nasal spray versions often need to be prescribed by your doctor. In the past these types of treatments have often caused drowsiness, but more modern medicines have been developed to reduce this side-effect, making them usable on a regular basis.
Corticosteroids – these help to reduce inflammation and while they may take slightly longer to act than antihistamines, their effects often last longer. These can be taken in the form of a nasal spray or drops. They are also available in tablet form although courses of tablets are usually only prescribed for severe bouts and should only be used for a short time. In very serious cases you may be prescribed long-lasting steroid injections, but this is rare due to the significant risks of side-effects associated with their use.
Nasal Decongestants – these are commonly available over the counter in pharmacies, and they come in the form of tablets, nasal sprays, capsules or liquids. These should not be used for more than a few days as over-use can actually cause the symptoms to worsen.
Combination Treatments – if none of the treatments above show any signs of helping the sufferer on their own, a doctor may prescribe a combination of the treatments to work on specific attributes of the suffering. This should only be done on the instruction of a fully trained medical professional as mixing different drugs in the wrong quantities or strengths can have serious long-term implications and could lead to symptoms worsening, or other health issues developing.
Immunotherapy
If avoiding the allergen is impossible or implausible, and the medications available fail to reduce the symptoms, another option is called Immunotherapy, or Hyposensitisation. This treatment involves gradually introducing more and more of the allergen into the body with the intention of making the body less sensitive to the allergen. It usually involves the allergen being injected under the skin of the upper arm with intervals of a couple of weeks between treatments. This can continue for up to two years, although in some cases the ‘maintenance dose’ (the level at which the body can cope with the allergen) may be achieved sooner.
Contact us today for free, no obligation advice regarding your allergic rhinitis claim – either by calling us free on 0800 122 3130, or by requesting a free call back, whereby one of our team will contact you at a time of your choice, to discuss your situation.
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Claiming For Your Allergic Rhinitis
Free Legal Advice
If you are unsure whether you can claim compensation for an Allergic Rhinitis as a consequence of your work environment, then call our personal injury claims team for free for no obligation advice on making a claim. They will ask you some simple questions about your condition, talk to you about what’s happened and can tell you if you have a viable claim for compensation or not. Call us 24/7 on 0800 122 3130.
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