Allergic Rhinitis

About Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis, commonly called hay fever, affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Dr John Bostock first described the condition in 1819. Symptoms include sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy watery eyes. The disease is triggered by airborne allergens including pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is caused by pollen from trees spring, grasses late spring and summer, and weeds fall. Perennial allergic rhinitis is caused by indoor allergens. Diagnosis is made through allergy skin prick testing or specific IgE blood tests. Treatment includes allergen avoidance, oral antihistamines cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, intranasal corticosteroids fluticasone, budesonide, and leukotriene receptor antagonists montelukast. Allergen immunotherapy allergy shots or sublingual tablets can modify the immune response and provide long lasting benefit. Allergic rhinitis significantly impacts quality of life, school performance, and work productivity.