Treated Diseases
Zyrtec is an antihistamine medication that is used to treat the following diseases:
An allergy is a hypersensitivity of the body to different chemical substances in the environment.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis is a condition that is manifested by inflammation of the nasal passages, usually related to watery nasal discharges and itching of the nose and eyes. Allergic rhinitis is divided into two main types: seasonal allergic rhinitis also called hay fever and perennial allergic rhinitis, that occurs year-round. People who are prone to any types of rhinitis usually get allergy substances by inhalation. Seasonal allergy rhinitis is often caused by outdoor substances, and year-round allergic rhinitis by indoor allergens.
Normally the immune system adequately reacts to foreign substances. People who suffer from allergic rhinitis, often overrespond to allergens that are harmless to most people like pet dander, pollen or mold. This overreaction is called allergic reaction. Allergens enter the nose,triggering the mast cells in the nasal tissues to release chemicals including histamine that causes nasal swelling thus provoking an allergic reaction. This swelling leads to nasal congestion or "stuffy" nose. Histamine may also result in itching, irritation, burning and excess mucus production.
The most common seasonal allergens that may cause rhinitis include:
- Pollen
- Grasses
- Growing mold
- Trees
Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergy reaction to airborne chemicals from the following:
- Animal dander
- Cockroaches
- Household and dust mites
- Molds growing on house plants, carpeting.
Some people can have increased chances of developing allergic rhinitis. If you have family predisposition to allergies or other allergic reactions(eczema, food allergy) you are more likely to experience allergic rhinitis than others.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis may vary from one person to another. However, most people usually experience nasal congestion, runny nose called rhinorrhea, post-nasal drip, itching of the nose, eyes, ears ,throat and swelling of the eyelids. Some symptoms may also include fatigue, wheezing, dry cough, eye tearing, sore throat and headache. Partial loss of senses like taste, hearing, smell and dark circles around the eyes are also common.
If you have any of the listed above symptoms probably you have allergic rhinitis. You should consult with your health care provider to adjust the diagnosis and begin corresponding treatment. If not treated, allergic rhinitis leads to impairment of social life, different health problems and sleep disorders.
Zyrtec is also used to treat chronic urticaria. Chronic urticaria is a condition manifested with itchy rash that persists for a long time. In chronic urticaria itchy rash usually lasts more than six weeks. Nearly 1 of 1000 people may develop chronic urticaria during their life.
The rash can occur on any area of the skin in the form of weals . These weals are itchy and resemble mild blisters. The weal can be of white or red color and is usually surrounded by red area known as flare.
What exactly causes chronic urticaria is still not known. Possible triggers may include the following conditions:
- Auto-immune disorders. Antibodies are released when some foreign substances enter human organism. However, in some people antibodies may attach to cells under the skin, releasing inflammation and allergy mediator called histamine
- Having any allergy to food, medication or parasite is an uncommon reason of chronic urticaria
- Helicobacter pylore which is found in the stomach in some cases may trigger chronic urticaria
- Physical urticaria. It means that rash is caused by cold, heat, exercise or sunlight
Chronic urticaria is manifested with a number of symptoms, including:
- Skin rash and itching
- Angio-oedema. This condition may occur in nearly 50% of people with chronic urticaria. In angio-oedema some fluid can leak into deeper tissues of the skin resulting in swelling. The swelling usually occurs on the lips, eyelids or genitals
- Sometimes the swelling may affect tongue and throat, causing shortness of breath
- Vasculitic urticaria may occur in some cases. Patients usually experience painful and dark red weals. Pigmented marks on the skin remain after the weal fades
It is important to understand that the symptoms and severity of the rash and itch may vary from person to person. Stress, heat, cold and menstrual periods may make the symptoms worsen.
If not treated chronic urticaria leads to depression, sleeping disorders and many difficulties in daily lifestyle. Patients with angio-oedema may experience long-term breathing difficulties