[Kok! Health] Springtime Unwelcome Guest 'Allergic Rhinitis'... Masks Are the Best Remedy

Spring is a difficult season for people with weak respiratory systems as yellow dust, fine dust, and pollen all float in the air. Especially during the spring transitional period, when the temperature difference between day and night is large and the air becomes dry, the body’s immune system weakens as it adapts to seasonal changes, and the respiratory mucosa also becomes vulnerable, leading to an increase in people suffering from respiratory diseases such as colds, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.

[Photo by Himchan Hospital]

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on the 10th, the number of patients visiting hospitals for allergic rhinitis in 2022 was about 732,000 in February and 765,000 in March. In April, it exceeded 1 million, increasing by more than 35% compared to March. The number of patients visiting hospitals for asthma also increased by about 8.2%, from approximately 149,000 in March to 161,000 in April.

Ryu Hye-seung, head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Incheon Himchan General Hospital, said, “Fine dust and yellow dust, which frequently occur in spring, have small particles that are not filtered by the nasal mucosa and airways and penetrate deep into the lungs, causing various respiratory diseases such as cough, breathing difficulties, bronchitis, and asthma.” He added, “It is advisable for the elderly, infants, people with weakened immunity, and chronic respiratory patients to wear masks when going outside.”

In spring, it is easy to suffer from allergic rhinitis, which causes inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to allergens such as pollen, fine dust, and house dust. Symptoms such as itchy nose or eyes, runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion recur, and symptoms like eye redness, headaches, and decreased sense of smell may accompany them. Allergic rhinitis, which is often neglected because its symptoms are similar to those of a cold, has a high possibility of developing into asthma, sinusitis, or otitis media, so early treatment is important. Avoiding exposure to allergens is best, but since this is realistically difficult, drug treatment is implemented. Nasal sprays and oral antihistamines that relieve runny nose and itching are mainly used.

To prevent allergic rhinitis, it is good to protect the respiratory tract by wearing a mask to avoid exposure to various allergens. At home, it is advisable to ventilate frequently by opening windows and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity. Also, since the nasal mucosa is more prone to allergic rhinitis when dry, it is recommended to replenish body fluids by drinking more than 1.5 liters of water a day. Adequate hydration helps prevent easy irritation of the nasal mucosa and also aids in boosting the body’s immunity.

Yellow dust also worsens in spring. The amount of dust in the atmosphere can accumulate up to six times more, and the amount of dust we inhale is three times the usual. Yellow dust particles range from 1 to 10 μm, fine dust from 2.5 to 10 μm, and ultrafine dust is less than 2.5 μm. When spring pollen combines with yellow dust, fine dust, and heavy metals, it becomes a stronger factor causing allergies and can also be a cause of asthma. Asthma is a disease in which inflammation occurs in the bronchial tubes inside the lungs, narrowing the airways. Because symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, paroxysmal cough, and chest pain appear during the transitional season, it is easy to mistake it for a cold.

Typical symptoms of asthma include wheezing sounds when breathing along with coughing, difficulty breathing, and a tight feeling in the chest. It occurs due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If there is a family history of asthma, the risk of developing it increases. Environmental factors include allergens (pollen, house dust, pets, mold, etc.), air pollution, and smoking. Asthma requires caution because if left untreated, asthma attacks can suddenly worsen, causing severe coughing and difficulty breathing to the point where speaking becomes difficult.

Asthma is diagnosed through lung function tests or bronchial provocation tests. Once diagnosed with asthma, drug treatment is first implemented. Symptom relievers that quickly relieve narrowed airways and disease controllers that suppress allergic inflammation to prevent asthma attacks are mainly used.

Dr. Ryu said, “Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that cannot be completely cured, so consistent management is important,” and added, “If treated and managed consistently, one can live without major problems, but sometimes patients stop treatment when symptoms improve. Chronic narrowing or blockage of the airways can cause frequent breathing attacks or airway inflammation.”