Something You Should Know Why So Many People Have Allergies & Why You Keep Doing Things You Shouldn’t
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Mar 2, 2026 
Zachary Rubin, a double board-certified pediatrician and allergist/immunologist and author of All About Allergies, explains why allergies seem to be rising and how true allergic reactions differ from other causes. He walks through testing, common triggers like pollen and dust mites, mislabeling of penicillin allergy, food allergy trends, and when reactions can become life-threatening.
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Allergic Versus Non-Allergic Rhinitis
- Allergic rhinitis symptoms like runny or stuffy nose can be caused by allergic or non-allergic pathways.
- Allergic cases involve IgE antibodies and histamine; non-allergic rhinitis reacts to irritants like smoke or weather and needs different treatment.
Get Tested To Know If Your Nose Issues Are Allergies
- Get formal testing from an allergist to distinguish allergic from non-allergic rhinitis.
- Tests include skin or blood tests for specific IgE antibodies; positive means allergy, negative suggests non-allergic rhinitis.
Choose Antihistamine Or Nasal Steroid Based On Symptoms
- Use antihistamines for sneezing and runny nose, but use topical nasal steroids for major congestion and mucus.
- Antihistamines block histamine; Flonase or Nasocort reduce local inflammation and mucus production effectively.
