​What causes rhinitis?

Many people often suffer from nasal infections. After suffering from rhinitis, everyone should pay attention to choosing standardized methods for treatment. In addition, it should be noted that viral infections or genetic factors may cause rhinitis in patients, so what everyone must do in this regard is to be vigilant.

1. Viral infection

Viral infection is the primary cause, or bacterial infection is secondary to viral infection. More than 100 viruses are known to cause this disease, the most common of which is rhinovirus, followed by influenza and parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus, coronavirus, coxsackievirus, and myxovirus and paramyxovirus. The virus is mainly transmitted through inhalation through the respiratory tract, and secondly through entering the body through contaminated objects or food.

2. Genetic factors

People with a family history of allergies are more likely to develop this disease. Most family members of the patients have a history of asthma, urticaria or drug allergy. In the past, such patients were called atopic individuals, whose ability to produce IgE antibodies was higher than that of normal people. However, in recent years, some people have found that there is no significant difference in the incidence rate between twins and the general population.

3. Susceptibility of nasal mucosa

Susceptibility arises from frequent stimulation by antigenic substances, but the degree of susceptibility depends on the number of mast cells and alkaliphils in the nasal mucosal tissue and the ability to release chemical mediators. It has been confirmed that the number of the above-mentioned cells in the nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis is not only higher than that of normal people, but also has a stronger ability to release chemical mediators.

4. Antigenic substances

Antigen substances that stimulate the body to produce IgE antibodies are called allergens. When the allergen enters the nasal mucosa again, it combines with the corresponding IgE and causes an allergic reaction. The allergens that cause this disease are divided into two categories according to the way they enter the human body: inhalation and food.

(1) Inhaled allergens ① Pollen Not all plant pollens can cause disease. Only those pollens with large pollen quantities, wide vegetation areas, strong allergenicity, and spread by wind are most likely to become allergens. Due to differences in vegetation species, the allergenic pollen in different regions is also different. ②Fungi are widely distributed in nature, mainly existing in soil and decayed organic matter. Both its hyphae and spores are allergenic, but the spores are more allergenic. ③House dust mites belong to the class Arachnid in the phylum Arthropoda. The size of adults is generally 300 to 500 μm. It mainly parasitizes in various corners of the room, with the most being in the dust on mattresses, pillows, sofa cushions, etc. The excrement, eggs, desquamation and broken body parts of mites can all become allergens. ④Animal dander Animal dander is one of the strongest allergens. For susceptible individuals, long-term contact with relevant animals may cause sensitization. After sensitization, further contact with even a small amount of dandruff can trigger nasal symptoms. ⑤Indoor dust is one of the common allergens that cause perennial rhinitis.

(2) Ingested allergens refer to allergens that enter the human body through the digestive tract and cause nasal symptoms. The way in which it acts on the nasal mucosa is very complex and is still not fully understood. Milk, eggs, fish, shrimp, meat, fruit, and even some vegetables can become allergens.