Impact, symptoms and diagnosis
What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the membranes lining the nose, which occurs when they become sensitised to allergens.3
Allergic rhinitis affects about 30% of the world's population, and 26% of the UK population, and the incidence is increasing.1,5
Patients can have allergic rhinitis symptoms all year round,5 which affects their daily activities and their control of other atopic conditions.6

‘It’s about time to take allergic rhinitis seriously:
52% of patients do not feel rested after sleep.’ 7
61% of persistent allergic rhinitis patients feel their symptoms affect their ability to do outdoor activities (n=2305). For intermittent sufferers, the proportion is 52% (n=1257).7
37% of persistent allergic rhinitis patients feel their symptoms affect their willingness to visit friends (n=2305). For intermittent sufferers, the proportion is 24% (n=1257).7
A person with allergic rhinitis typically presents with cold-like symptoms including, sneezing, itching of the nose and eyes, nasal discharge and/or blockage, and redness in the eyes.3 These symptoms will usually appear shortly after exposure to the allergen.

COMMON CAUSES OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS3
1The first step in diagnosing allergic rhinitis is taking a history from the patient.
A detailed history is required, including associated symptoms and any other atopic conditions.
2Examine the nose.
Check for:

Allergic crease

Allergic shiners

Turbinate hypertrophy

Deviated nasal septum
- Scadding GK, et al. BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (Revised Edition 2017; First edition 2007). Clin Exp Allergy 2017; 47(7): 856-889.
- Scottish Medicine Consortium (SMC). Available at https://www.scottishmedicines.org.uk/medicines-advice/azelastine-hydrochloride-plus-fluticasone-propionate-dymista-abbreviatedsubmission-92113/. Last accessed: November 2018.
- National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Clinical knowledge summary: Allergic rhinitis. October 2015. Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/allergic-rhinitis#!topicsummary. Last accessed: November 2018.
- Jacobs RL. Ciclesonide for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Expert Review of Clinical Immunology 2011; 7(6): 735-741.
- Bousquet J, et al. Characteristics of intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis: DREAMS study group. Clin Exp Allergy 2005; 35(6): 728-732.
- Canonica GW, et al. A survey of the burden of allergic rhinitis in Europe. Allergy 2007; 62(Suppl. 85): 17-25.
- Valovirta E, et al. The voice of the patients: allergic rhinitis is not a trivial disease. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008; 8(1): 1-9.
- Pitman R, et al. Episode pattern and healthcare utilisation in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Allergy 2012; 67(Suppl. 96): 342.
- Walker S, et al. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is associated with a detrimental effect on examination performance in United Kingdom teenagers: case-control study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007; 120(2): 381-387.
- Barry B. Rhino-sinus manifestations of systemic diseases. Rev Prat. 2000; 50(14): 1548-1550.
- World Allergy Organization, 2015. Available at: http://www.worldallergy.org/education-and-programs/education/allergic-disease-resource-center/professionals/combined-allergic-rhinitis-and-asthma-syndrome. Last accessed: November 2018.
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