Seasonal allergies don’t affect us all, however, a large portion of the population fear the approaching fall season as well as the hay fever symptoms that come with it. Allergic rhinitis is a condition that occurs when our body’s immune system overreacts to particulate matter in the environment. While this seasonal allergy process is experienced by roughly 30% of the world’s population, it’s our team’s job at O2 Nose Filters to offer simple and effective methods to prevent the onset of uncomfortable allergy symptoms. Below, we discuss the causes, symptoms, treatments, and preventable measures to help you best understand allergic rhinitis.
Causes of Allergic Rhinitis
As a defense system to protect your body, you naturally release histamine when you come into contact with an allergen. Histamine is a chemical that can cause what we experience as allergy symptoms. Particularly during late summer and early fall, pollen can be especially problematic to those who are sensitive to hay fever. The most common allergens to initiate this histamine process include:
- Grass, flower, and tree pollen
- Mold
- Animal dander
- Dust mites
- Wood dust
- Cat saliva
In addition to pollen and seasonal allergies, further airborne particulate matter (PM) exists in a complex mixture of aerosols, chemicals, small droplets, and solid fragments. When inhaled over an extended period of time, PM has been linked to various illnesses and can even result in death. While long-term exposure of harmful particulate matter pose these dangerous health risks, short-term exposer can also lead to deadly consequences. Some of these particulates may be large enough to see, although a majority of particulates can’t be seen by the human eye.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis consists of two types, being seasonal allergies and perennial allergies. Seasonal allergies, as you might’ve guessed, occur during specific seasons and are caused by airborne allergens. Perennial allergies, although, is an unfortunate condition where the affected person will experience year-round chronic symptoms. Additionally, some people experience both types of rhinitis, which is seen when the affected individual’s perennial symptoms worsen during pollen-heavy seasons. To some varying degree, all people suffering from allergic rhinitis may experience the following symptoms:
- Sneezing
- An itchy, runny, or blocked nose
- Itchy, red, or watery eyes
- A cough
- A sore scratchy throat
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Hives
Particulate matter also includes airborne bacteria and viruses. These harmful microbes can stay suspended in air for an extended period of time, to eventually be inhaled. Upon breathing in airborne bacteria or viruses, these pathogenic organisms began living inside your body and can cause serious health issues. Harmful airborne viruses and bacteria include:
- Chickenpox
- Measles
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Influenza
- Mumps
While short-term exposure to particulate matter can still result in negative health symptoms and even death, researchers are more concerned about the dangers of long-term exposure. Research examining the impact of particulates on the nervous system has found links to cognitive affects, which includes reduced brain volume and generally negative cognitive impacts. Additionally, studies have found evidence that particulate pollution can impact pregnancy, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant mortality.
Treating Allergic Rhinitis
If you’re experiencing chronic perennial allergy symptoms, it’s important to visit your doctor so that you can pinpoint your specific triggers. While seasonal allergies are commonly medicated with over-the-counter antihistamines, these can cause medication dependencies and only provide temporary relieve for allergies, among other health problems. It has been recorded that allergy symptoms are continuing to worsen worldwide, so developing affective and healthy habits now is important to pinpointing the root cause of your symptoms. Natural remedies such as apple cider vinegar, maintaining a clean living area, healthy eating, and exercise can all alleviate uncomfortable allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Preventing Allergic Rhinitis
O2 Nose Filters has been proven in controlled studies to help protect wearers from inhaling harmful airborne particles such as pollen, bacteria, viruses, dust, and other pollutants. Independent laboratory tests demonstrate that 3M’s Advanced Electret Media in O2 Nose Filters block 90% of particulates at PM10 and 65% of particulates at PM2.5. Additionally, O2 Nose Filters are comfortable to wear due to their latex-free design and medical-grade Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) materials.
3M’s patented AEM™ (Advanced Electret Media) filter technology relies on the principles of electrostatic attraction. The high capture ratios and extended breathability attributed to 3M’s AEM™ material allows airborne particles to be captured within the filter. Rather than using a ‘screen’ approach to block the passage of particles, the charged fibers act as ‘magnets’ to retain particles while still allowing air to pass through, making O2 Nose Filters both breathable and effective.
O2 Nose Filters provides inexpensive and effective security to protect people from harmful airborne diseases. While our nasal passageways try their best when it comes to filtering harmful particulate matter, they aren’t perfect. That’s why O2 Nose Filters are such an effective solution when it comes to improving our mental and physical health. Nose filters are a discreet, effective option to protect against airborne viruses and bacteria. The O2 Nose Filter uses 3M’s patented AEM™ electrostatic technology to capture allergens, viruses, and other particulates, making them a valuable tool for anyone who wants to drastically limit the pollutants and pollens they breathe in daily.
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