View article

Allergic rhinitis is clinically defined as a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced by an IgE-mediated inflammation after allergen exposure of the membranes lining the nose. Symptoms of rhinitis include rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching and sneezing which are reversible spontaneously or under treatment. It is subdivided into “intermittent” or “persistent” disease (Table 1). The severity of allergic rhinitis can be classified as “mild” or “moderate-severe.” Previously, allergic rhinitis was subdivided, based on the time of exposure, into seasonal, perennial and occupational diseases (1-3). Perennial allergic rhinitis is most frequently caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites, moulds, insects (cockroaches) and animal danders. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is related to a wide variety of outdoor allergens such as pollens or moulds. However, this is not entirely satisfactory as:• There are some places where pollens …