- Allergic rhinitis is a type I hypersensitivity
- Types
- Seasonal (hay fever)
- Pollen
- February – September
- No symptoms the rest of the year
- Perennial
- Indoor allergens
- House dust
- Pets
- Moulds
- Latex
- Clinical features
- Nasal airway obstruction
- Sneezing
- Watery rhinorrhoea
- Itchy nose and eyes
- Diagnosis
- History
- Examination of nose
- Bluish-purple mucosa in seasonal
- Red mucosa in perennial
- Allergy testing
- Prick test
- Radioallergosorbent test
- Treatment
- Avoid allergen
- Medical
- Intranasal or oral
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants (xylometazoline)
- Local steroids
- Sodium cromoglycate
- Muscarinic antagonists (ipratropium)
- Antileukotrienes
- Immunotherapy – hyposensitization
- Resection of turbinates