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Step 1
Pinpoint rhinitis symptoms. Often misdiagnosed as a common cold, allergy sufferers need to know the difference between a cold and rhinitis. Rhinitis suffers have symptoms of runny nose (usually clear and watery), itchy eyes, itching in the throat and/or inner ear. Fever, chills or an overall ill feeling does not usually accompany rhinitis. Familiarity with the symptoms makes it easer to determine the trigger.
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Step 2
Search for rhinitis triggers at home and away from home. If you notice that you’re fine at home, but the minute you go to work, you begin to sneeze, there is a good chance that the rhinitis trigger is associated with your job. Yes, you can actually be allergic to your job.
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Step 3
Keep track of the climate/season. For some sufferers, blooming trees in the Spring can trigger allergic rhinitis. For the more unfortunate individual, year-round dust mites or dog dander can trigger allergic rhinitis.
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Step 4
Monitor the severity of the reaction. Although symptoms may vary from one person to another, it is wise to keep track of when the most severe symptoms occur. Mild reactions are tolerable, but severe reactions may require medical attention. Diagnosing the trigger early can prevent the onset of severe allergic reactions simply by avoiding the allergen.
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Step 5
Maintain a journal of your symptoms. Write about when the rhinitis triggers, when the symptoms occurred and severity of the symptoms. It will help you to identify the various triggers over time. A journal not only helps you to understand what to avoid, it serves as a valuable tool to help your doctor identify the triggers and diagnose your rhinitis.
