Commonly treated chronic rhinitis impairs quality of life
Year round allergic rhinitis, caused by allergens, including mite allergens and animal dander, may not only affect quality of life but also mental performance. Allergic rhinitis is extremely common. It is one of the top ten reasons for visits in primary care clinics in Europe and the USA. House dust mites and animal dander allergens are the most frequent cause of perennial symptoms. It may be difficult to differentiate between seasonal allergic rhinitis, caused by a wide variety of pollens, and perennial allergic rhinitis because most patients are polysensitised. Allergic responses are termed early and late phased symptoms. An early response occurs within minutes of exposure with symptoms that may include sneezing, itching and a clear runny nose. Late phase response 4 to 8 hours after exposure may be less well recognised. It may be characterised by fatigue, malaise, irritability, and possibly neurocognitive defects.* In this short paper classifications of symptoms from intermittent to severe are described.
‘Introduction’, Allergy, 2007: 62 (Supp. 85): p.3-5 Scadding G.K., Bousquet J. [cross sectional international survey on allergic rhinitis]
*‘Allergic rhinitis: definition epidemiology, pathphysiology, detection and diagnosis’, Skoner DP; J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 2001: 108; S2-S8
