Seasonal

Allergy
DEFINITION
 Also known as “hay fever”
 Allergic rhinitis that occurs during a specific season

involves inflammation of the

mucous
 membranes of the nose, eyes, eustachian tubes, middle ear, sinuses, and pharynx
CAUSES
 Seasonal allergic rhinitis is commonly caused by allergy to
seasonal pollens and outdoor molds.
 Trees, grasses, and weeds that depend on wind rather
than insects for pollination produce sufficient quantities
of pollen suitable for wide distribution by air currents to
elicit seasonal allergic rhinitis.
 Even though pollen is usually invisible in the air, pollen is
a potent stimulator of allergy. Pollen lodges in the nasal
lining tissues (mucus membranes) and other parts of the
respiratory tract, where it initiates the allergic response
SYMPTOMS
 Episodic rhinorrhea
 Sneezing
 Obstruction of the
 nasal passages with lacrimation
 Pruritus of the conjunctiva, nasal mucosa and oropharynx
 nasal congestion
 stuffy or runny nose
 scratchy or sore throat
 throat clearing
 cough from postnasal drip
COMPLICATIONS
 Acute or chronic sinusitis
 Otitis media
 Sleep disturbance or apnea
 Dental problems (overbite): Caused by excessive
breathing through the mouth
 Palatal abnormalities
 Eustachian tube dysfunction
THERAPEUTIC OBJECTIVES
 Alleviate the signs and symptoms of seasonal
allergy
 Educate on how to avoid allergens
 Prevent severe complications
NONPHARMACOLOGIC
THERAPY
 PHARMACOLOGIC
THERAPY
 Antihistamines
 Decongestant
 Corticosteroids
ANTIHISTAMINES
(H1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS)
 Compounds that competitively block histamine or act as
inverse agonists at H1 receptors
 Used to prevent or treat the symptoms of allergic
reactions
 Divided into first generation and second generation agents
ANTIHISTAMINES
(H1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS)
First generation
 Most likely to block autonomic receptors
Examples:
 Diphenhydramine
 Chlorpheniramine
 Doxylamine
Second generation
 Less sedating, owing in part to Reduced
distribution into the CNS
Examples:
 Cetirizine
 Loratadine
 Desloratadine
 Fexofenadine
ANTIHISTAMINES (2ND GENERATION)
2ND GENERATION ANTIHISTAMINES