Perennial Allergies

Allergy and the body

What is an allergy?

Allergies are the immune system's incorrect response to allergens (foreign substances). Exposure to what is normally a harmless substance causes the immune system to react as if the substance is harmful. People may experience a number of allergic symptoms including itchy, watery nose and eyes, asthma symptoms, eczema or hives and allergic shock (also called anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock).

For more information, see Allergy.

Animation: Allergies

An allergy occurs when the body reacts to substances it can't tolerate. The substances, like tree pollen or dust mites, are called environmental antigens, or allergens, and are normally harmless. But the immune system of a person with allergies views the allergens as harmful.

Watch the animation Allergies.

The immune system

The immune system has the very important role of protecting us from infection. Most of the time, the immune system functions well, with an immune response directed against a potentially harmful organism (such as a bacterium or virus). But in some people, the immune system attacks a harmless substance, which can lead to damage to human tissues.

For more information, see Allergy and the Immune System.

Anatomy and physiology of the nasal cavity and mucosa

The nasal cavity refers to the interior of the nose, or the structure which opens exteriorly at the nostrils. It is the entry point for inspired air and the first of a series of structures which form the respiratory system. The cavity is entirely lined by the nasal mucosa, one of the anatomical structures (others include skin, body encasements like the skull and non-nasal mucosa such as those of the vagina and bowel) which form the physical barriers of the body’s immune system.

For more information, see Anatomy and Physiology of the Nasal Cavity and Mucosa.

Perennial allergies

Perennial allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is an allergic disease which affects many people worldwide. Rhinitis is the 'inflammation of the nasal mucosa', whilst the term allergic describes 'a normal but exaggerated response to a substance'. It may be perennial, which means symptoms are present throughout the year.

For more information, see Perennial Allergic Rhinitis.

Prevention and treatment

How to prevent allergies

A lot of research over recent years has focussed on the prevention of the development of allergies in children as the number of people with allergic diseases has risen dramatically over the last century, with the prevalence of asthma doubling between 1970 to 1990 in Australia, New Zealand, United States and much of Europe.

For more information, see Preventing Allergies.

How to avoid suffering from allergies

Once you are allergic to a substance, the best way to treat it is to avoid what you are allergic to. This will alleviate symptoms if you are able to avoid the allergen. It is important to first identify what you are allergic to, which is best done by skin-prick tests (or RAST if skin-prick tests cannot be performed).

For more information, see Allergen Avoidance.

Glucocorticosteroids for the treatment of respiratory conditions

Glucocorticosteroids, also called glucocorticoids or corticosteroids, are a type of steroid hormone which exert anti-inflammatory actions, that is; they stop inflammation in the body.Glucocorticoids can be used for treatment of asthma, treatment of hayfever as well as treatment of allergy in general.

For more information, see Respiratory Uses for Glucocorticosteroids.

Patient experience

Bec says goodbye and good riddance to allergies

Now that Rebecca is older, her friends know her as 'Bec', but when she was younger, her classmates just knew her as the girl with the runny nose. Bec has successfully overcome the annoying and often embarrassing affliction of allergies and now wants to pass on her experience to let others know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

For more information, see Patient Experience: Bec Says Goodbye and Good Riddance to Allergies.