過敏性鼻炎

成因

當天氣變化、就寢前後、或遇冷空氣、過敏原時，易誘發鼻子過敏。過敏原包括空氣中的灰塵、地毯中的黴菌、寵物的毛、植物的花粉，甚至攝取的飲食。

症狀

典型症狀是：打噴嚏、流鼻水、鼻癢、鼻塞，經常會合併眼睛癢、流淚等眼睛過敏現象；由於睡覺時鼻涕倒流，因此容易睡眠中咳嗽、嘔吐；也有些孩童因嗅覺不良而食慾減退、下眼瞼有黑眼圈現象。

感冒？過敏性鼻炎？如何判斷？

大部份人會將過敏性鼻炎誤以為感冒，分辨的方法：感冒時出現的鼻子不適症狀會持續數天；而過敏性鼻炎發作則維持不久，但一天中可能出現數次，而且會隨著季節、環境、精神等因素而經常出現，若有過敏性家族史，很可能是過敏性鼻炎。

中醫古籍《黃帝內經》，記載「鼻鼽」和「鼽嚏」等，「鼻鼽」指鼻流清涕，而「鼽嚏」即噴嚏頻頻並有大量清涕，都是鼻病常見症狀之一。中醫認為鼻負責呼吸及嗅覺功能，與肺、脾、 腎及經絡有密切關係。辨證施治，以湯藥輔以針灸可改善症狀。

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is a disorder characterized by acute attacks of nasal itching, congestion, watery nasal discharge and sneezing. From TCM perspective, the nose is the external opening of the lung and helps the lung to control the protective Chi. It works closely with the lung, kidneys, spleen and various meridians. Since the nose is located in the centre of the face, it is easily affected by wind, coldness, heat or dampness. Internal therapy will trace the root causes and then strengthen the related organs, ie lung, kidneys and spleen. This can improve the ventilation of the nasal passage and stop excessive nasal discharge. Acupuncture at the distal and proximal points or along the meridians can also help to improve the symptoms.