Allergic Rhinitis

Authors

Peter Small, Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC
Harold Kim, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-10-2011

Journal

Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology

Volume

7

Issue

Suppl 1

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1710-1492-7-S1-S3

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder that is strongly linked to asthma and conjunctivitis. It is usually a long-standing condition that often goes undetected in the primary-care setting. The classic symptoms of the disorder are nasal congestion, nasal itch, rhinorrhea and sneezing. A thorough history, physical examination and allergen skin testing are important for establishing the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Allergen immunotherapy is an effective immune-modulating treatment that should be recommended if pharmacologic therapy for allergic rhinitis is not effective or is not tolerated. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and appropriate management of this disorder.