According to the World Bank Group, over half (56%) of the world’s population live in cities, a figure that is expected to rise to 68% by 2050.
City living promotes a number of problems if you suffer from spring hay fever. Research from Bayer1 notes that the rising air pollution from cars and other vehicles directly affects the pollen properties, making them more allergenic. The carbon dioxide pollution also alters the flowering season, and coupled with climate change, can increase the duration of pollen.
With up to 30% of people2 worldwide suffering from these allergies, and city living on the rise, it leaves many reaching for the medicine cabinet in the hopes that antihistamines will relieve their symptoms.
But what if these are not working?
There are plenty of myths about spring allergy season, and one of the most common is that only allergies can cause allergy-like symptoms. If your runny nose and sneezing aren’t going away after taking antihistamines, the experts at Allergy Insider suggest that it may not be allergies at all.
What is non-allergic rhinitis?
To understand non-allergic rhinitis, we must first understand allergies.
Having an allergy means that your immune system reacts to a substance that is harmless to most people (e.g., pollen, dog dander, cat dander, mould, etc.). If your immune system recognizes an allergen and views it as a threat, your body will release a chemical called histamine, which is involved in causing allergy symptoms. This is why antihistamines help to relieve symptoms; they suppress histamine in your system. If your immune system doesn’t react to an allergen, then there is no histamine released. If there is no histamine, then antihistamines can’t relieve symptoms.
If antihistamines aren’t working for you and you have allergy-like symptoms, it may not be a bad allergy season—but instead something non-allergic you’re reacting to.
Examples of non-allergenic triggers include:
-
Cigarette smoke
-
Cleaning supplies
-
Perfume or cologne
-
Pollution
-
A flu or cold
A study from the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy (JMCP) revealed that 65% of people who were prescribed antihistamines for allergies were actually non-allergic3, which highlights just how many people assume their symptoms mean they must have allergies.
Payel Gupta, Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Doctor at Ease Allergy notes that hay fever is on the rise due to factors like climate change, urbanization and environmental shifts, which lead to longer pollen seasons and higher allergen levels.
She says: “Addressing these challenges requires a combination of strategies: reducing allergen exposure through urban planning and air quality improvements, utilizing personal protective measures like masks, and pollen tracking, advancing medical treatments such as immunotherapy, and implementing strong climate policies to curb emissions and mitigate the root causes of this growing issue.”
It is important to know exactly what you are allergic to if you are because then you can take the necessary steps to either avoid contact with triggers or get the correct medication required.
Discovering what’s causing your symptoms starts with talking to your healthcare provider about getting a specific IgE blood test, this helps healthcare providers better understand your condition and get you the treatment you need.
Visit Allergy Insider to get more information on why your allergy medications might not be working.