What is rhinitis?

The nose of our human body is a very important organ. If there are problems with our nose, it will not only affect our breathing but also cause trouble to our overall health and affect our quality of life. Therefore, we must protect our nose. We know that the nose is very sensitive and prone to various symptoms, such as rhinitis.

Rhinitis is a common nasal disease. Many people suffer from it. Not only does it take a long time to treat, but it is also prone to recurrence. Therefore, we must attach great importance to rhinitis and we must know what rhinitis is.

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

It is 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

Belongs to the class Arachnid of 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

It is one of the common allergens causing perennial rhinitis.

(2) Ingestion allergens

Refers 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.

Above, we introduced the importance of the nose to our human body. We know that the nose is used for breathing, so we must protect our nose. Rhinitis is a common disease of the nose, and we must do a good job in prevention and treatment of rhinitis. The above article introduces in detail what rhinitis is.