Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is a common nasal issue worldwide, strongly associated with eczema, asthma, and chronic sinus conditions. It tends to run in families and can significantly diminish quality of life. Early intervention reduces the exacerbation of allergic asthma. However, many individuals with this condition do not seek treatment until it severely impacts their daily activities. To prevent this from happening, seek early medical advice from a nose specialist. In Singapore, you can visit Aglow ENT Centre, where our allergic rhinitis specialist can provide an effective treatment plan.

What is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammation inside the nose due to an overreaction of the immune system to non-infectious particles, like pollen, dust, mould, or flakes of skin and fur from certain animals. According to HealthHub Singapore, up to 13.1% of the population is affected by this condition. While it impacts both adults and children, it is particularly prevalent among children aged 4 to 17 years, as noted by HealthXchange. In fact, as of 2010, roughly half of the child population was estimated to be affected by allergic rhinitis.

Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

When exposed to an allergen, children and adults often experience immediate symptoms, including:

Itchy nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
Reduced sense of smell due to nasal congestion
Runny nose
Sneezing
Watery eyes

Over time, additional symptoms may develop, such as:

Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
Coughing
Clogged ears and decreased sense of smell
Sore throat
Dark circles under the eyes
Puffiness under the eyes
Fatigue and irritability
Headache

If you experience any of the above symptoms, it is advisable to consult an ENT specialist. At Aglow ENT Centre, the team is led by Dr Ker Liang, who has over 14 years of experience in adult and children ENT.

Causes of Allergic Rhinitis

The primary cause of allergic rhinitis is exposure to allergens that trigger the body’s immune system to react by releasing inflammatory chemicals (histamines). The release of histamines typically affects the nasal airway, leading to the resulting symptoms of AR.

Although different individuals’ conditions may be triggered by different irritants, some common ones include:

Dust mites
Mould
Cigarette smoke
Plant pollen
Pet dander
Haze

Considering Singapore’s year-round tropical climate and high humidity levels, these factors contribute to the thriving nature of these allergens, which in turn causes the high prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the country. It’s worth noting that the severity of these symptoms varies from person to person and depends on how an individual reacts to allergens. Some may experience symptoms year-round, while others have only occasional, mild symptoms.

Who is More Prone to Developing Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis can affect anyone, though it is more commonly observed in:

Young children
Individuals with a family history of allergies (parent or close family member with allergies)
People with asthma
People with eczema

Therefore, if you have a child or family members who exhibit allergic rhinitis symptoms and have not shown improvement with conventional over-the-counter medications, book an appointment with an experienced ENT specialist for a proper evaluation and treatment.

How does an Allergic Rhinitis Specialist in Singapore Diagnose Allergic Rhinitis?

In general, your nose specialist will conduct a physical examination and take a record of your medical history, including the symptoms of your condition. However, to differentiate allergic rhinitis from other common nasal conditions, such as a cold, a diagnostic exam is necessary.

At Aglow ENT Centre, we offer a comprehensive range of diagnostic services. These may include blood tests like RAST, skin prick and intradermal tests (IPFT), as well as endoscopic examination of the nose and upper airway.

RAST – A blood test that measures antibody levels to detect allergens
Skin prick test – A test to check your skin’s reaction to allergens

Intradermal tests (IPFT) – A test where allergens are injected under the skin, used when skin prick tests are inconclusive
Endoscopic examination – A procedure using a small camera to examine the nasal passages and airways for allergies or other issues

How is Allergic Rhinitis Treated in Singapore?

Allergic rhinitis treatment in Singapore includes allergen identification and avoidance, medications, immunotherapy, and surgery. While most cases can be managed with medication, surgery may be necessary for severe or long-term conditions.

Primary treatments focus on minimising exposure to allergens in the environment. For patients who do not respond well to these measures, additional options may include:

Medications – Nasal steroids, antihistamines and other treatments to help with different symptoms of rhinitis. These can be taken orally or as a spray.
Immunotherapy – Long-term desensitisation therapy or allergy shot
Surgery – Patients with persistent nasal obstruction due to structural abnormalities may benefit from corrective surgery.
- Septoplasty – Surgical correction of a deviated nasal septum, may include the bony and/or cartilaginous septum
- Turbinate reduction surgery or Turbinoplasty – Surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates
- Nasal Cryotherapy – Liquid nitrogen application, cold therapy, to the nasal wall to reduce symptoms of chronic rhinitis

What happens if it is left untreated?

If left untreated, Allergic Rhinitis may lead to the following complications:

Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infection – Patients feel that they are frequently down with a cold that takes longer than usual to recover. This may trigger an asthma attack.
Recurrent Rhinosinusitis or Chronic Rhinosinusitis – An infection which is the result of nasal inflammation and swelling that prevents the draining of mucus from the sinuses
Middle Ear Infections – Infection of part of the ear found directly behind the eardrum, this condition causing earache and hearing loss.

Where to find an Allergic Rhinitis Specialist in Singapore?

In Singapore, you can consult Dr Ker Liang at Aglow ENT Centre for the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, or throat conditions, including allergic rhinitis. With more than 14 years of experience in otolaryngology, Dr Ker Liang is committed to providing glowing health for both adult and child patients alike. For more serious cases requiring surgery, financial guidance regarding your insurance is also available, allowing you to focus on treatment and recovery with peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Allergic Rhinitis last?

Allergic rhinitis typically lasts as long as patients are exposed to allergens, which can range from days to months without treatment.

Can I prevent Allergic Rhinitis?

While it’s not possible to completely prevent the condition, especially if it is genetic, you can reduce symptoms by avoiding allergens as much as possible.

Is Allergic Rhinitis the same as Sinusitis?

No, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis are different conditions, though they can share some symptoms. Allergic rhinitis refers to the inflammation of the nasal passages, while sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses.

What is the difference between Allergic Rhinitis and Rhinitis?

Rhinitis refers to the general inflammation of the nasal passage, whereas allergic rhinitis refers to a specific inflammation that is triggered by allergens.

Medical Teaching

Assistant Professor Ker Liang has a passion for teaching and is an Assistant Professor with NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (YLLSOM). As the NUS-NUH Otolaryngology Department Undergraduate Medical Director, Dr Ker Liang supervises the training of medical students from YLLSOM, NUS. She is actively involved
in the training of postgraduate junior doctors and residents in the Head and Neck Surgery department. She was conferred with an Undergraduate Teaching Award by the National University Health System in 2016 for her outstanding efforts as an Otolaryngology educator.

Medical Teaching

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing

Allergic Rhinitis Treatment In Singapore