Resdung is the Malay term commonly used for allergic rhinitis: sneezing, an itchy, runny or blocked nose and itchy, watery eyes caused by an allergy to things like house dust mites, pet dander, mould or pollen. Unlike a cold, symptoms start within minutes of contact with a trigger and keep coming back. Most people can control resdung with medicines from a pharmacy, such as antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays and salt water nasal rinses, together with reducing triggers at home. Decongestant nasal sprays should not be used for more than 5 days. See a doctor if symptoms affect your sleep or daily life, or if pharmacy treatments do not help.
What is resdung (allergic rhinitis)?
According to the NHS, allergic rhinitis is when your nose gets irritated by something you are allergic to. Common symptoms are similar to a cold and include:
- sneezing;
- an itchy nose (try not to pick it or blow it too hard, as this can cause nosebleeds);
- a runny or blocked nose;
- itchy, red and watery eyes;
- a cough;
- an itchy roof of the mouth.
These symptoms usually start within minutes of coming into contact with something you are allergic to. Allergic rhinitis is different from non-allergic rhinitis, which can be caused by a cold, very hot or cold temperatures and humidity. Itchy, red eyes can have other causes too; see our guide to mata merah.
Punca resdung: what triggers it?
Resdung is caused by an allergic reaction. According to the NHS, common triggers include:
- house dust mites;
- dander, the flakes of dead skin in the fur of animals such as cats and dogs;
- mould;
- pollen from trees, grass and weeds (hay fever);
- wood dust, flour dust and latex.
You are more likely to have allergies if people in your family have them, or if you have eczema or asthma. Smoke and haze can also irritate the nose and airways; see our haze guide for families.
Resdung, selsema or sinusitis?
Resdung, a cold and sinusitis can all cause a blocked or runny nose. This table, based on NHS information, shows the main differences:
| Resdung (allergic rhinitis) | Selsema (common cold) | Sinusitis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause | An allergy to a trigger such as dust mites | A virus | Swelling of the sinuses, usually from an infection, often after a cold |
| Typical signs | Sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, starts within minutes of exposure | Sore throat, sneezing, blocked or runny nose, sometimes a mild fever | Pain or tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead, green or yellow mucus, reduced sense of smell |
| How long | Comes back whenever you are exposed | Usually 1 to 2 weeks | Usually clears within 4 weeks |
For colds, see our guide to selsema. Mucus dripping down the back of the throat can also cause a cough; see our guide to batuk and kahak.
Ubat resdung di farmasi: which medicines help?
You can often treat resdung without seeing a doctor. If you can, avoid the things that trigger your allergy. According to the NHS, a pharmacist can advise on:
- antihistamines, as tablets or syrup, to ease sneezing, itching and a runny nose;
- steroid nasal sprays;
- decongestant nasal sprays or drops to unblock your nose;
- salt water nasal sprays or rinses to wash out the inside of your nose.
Use decongestant sprays for no more than 5 days. Using them for longer can make a blocked nose worse and make it harder for your symptoms to improve. Decongestants should not be used by children under 6. Always check the leaflet or ask a pharmacist how long to use a medicine for.
If pharmacy medicines do not help, a doctor may prescribe a different medicine, such as a prescription steroid nasal spray or antihistamine, or refer you to a specialist for further tests.
Does a salt water nose rinse help?
Rinsing the inside of your nose with salt water (saline) is a simple, low-cost option. A 2018 Cochrane review of 14 trials with 747 adults and children found that saline nasal rinsing may reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis for up to 3 months compared with no rinsing, in both adults and children, with few reported side effects. The quality of the evidence was low, so the size of the benefit is uncertain.
How to make a salt water rinse at home, according to the NHS:
- Boil about half a litre (a pint) of water, then leave it to cool.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.
- Wash your hands, stand over a sink and pour a small amount into the cupped palm of one hand.
- Sniff the water into one nostril at a time, breathing through your mouth, and let it run back into the sink. Try not to let it go down your throat.
- Repeat up to 3 times a day, making a fresh solution each time.
Ready-made saline sprays and rinse kits are also available from pharmacies.
How can you reduce resdung triggers at home?
It is not always possible to avoid your triggers, but the NHS suggests these steps to reduce symptoms:
Do:
- use synthetic bedding and covers, and wash bedding regularly at 60°C or above;
- dust with a damp cloth and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter;
- keep your home dry and well ventilated, and deal with damp and mould;
- wash pets regularly, and wash their bedding on a hot wash.
Don't:
- allow pets in bedrooms if you are allergic to them.
When should you see a doctor?
According to the NHS, see a doctor if:
- your symptoms get worse;
- you also have asthma and it is getting worse;
- your symptoms are affecting your sleep and everyday life;
- you are not sure what is causing your symptoms;
- treatments from a pharmacist are not working.
Pain and swelling around your cheeks, eyes or forehead with green or yellow mucus may be sinusitis, which usually clears up within 4 weeks; see a doctor if it is not getting better.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is resdung in English?
Resdung is the Malay term commonly used for allergic rhinitis: irritation of the inside of the nose caused by something you are allergic to, such as house dust mites, pollen, pet dander or mould. It causes sneezing, an itchy, runny or blocked nose, and itchy, watery eyes, usually within minutes of contact with the trigger.
What is the difference between resdung and selsema?
Selsema (a cold) is caused by a virus, often comes with a sore throat and sometimes a mild fever, and gets better in 1 to 2 weeks. Resdung is an allergic reaction: symptoms start within minutes of contact with a trigger, often include itchy eyes and an itchy nose, and keep coming back whenever you are exposed.
What is the best ubat resdung from the pharmacy (ubat resdung farmasi)?
A pharmacist can suggest antihistamine tablets or syrup, steroid nasal sprays, decongestant nasal sprays or drops for a blocked nose, and salt water nasal sprays or rinses. Decongestant sprays should not be used for more than 5 days, or by children under 6, because they can make a blocked nose worse.
Does rinsing the nose with salt water help resdung?
It may help. A Cochrane review of 14 trials found that salt water (saline) nasal rinsing may reduce allergic rhinitis symptoms in both adults and children for up to 3 months compared with no rinsing, with few side effects, although the quality of the evidence was low.
Can resdung be cured permanently?
Allergic rhinitis cannot always be cured, but it can usually be controlled. Avoiding your triggers where possible, such as reducing house dust mites, and using the right medicines can keep symptoms under control. If pharmacy treatments do not work, a doctor can prescribe other medicines or refer you for allergy tests.
How do I reduce house dust mites at home?
The NHS suggests using synthetic bedding and covers, washing bedding regularly at 60°C or above, dusting with a damp cloth, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, and keeping your home dry and well ventilated. Keeping pets out of bedrooms can also help if you are allergic to animals.
When should I see a doctor for resdung?
See a doctor if your symptoms get worse, you also have asthma and it is getting worse, your symptoms affect your sleep or daily life, you are not sure what is causing them, or pharmacy treatments are not working. Pain around the cheeks or forehead with green or yellow mucus may be sinusitis.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References
- Allergic rhinitis — NHS
- Sinusitis (sinus infection) — NHS
- Head K, Snidvongs K, Glew S, et al. Saline irrigation for allergic rhinitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;6(6):CD012597.
