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. 2011 Nov 10;7 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S3.
doi: 10.1186/1710-1492-7-S1-S3.

Allergic rhinitis

Peter Small  1 , Harold Kim
Affiliations

Allergic rhinitis

Peter Small et al. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. .

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis is a common disorder that is strongly linked to asthma and conjunctivitis. It is usually a long-standing condition that often goes undetected in the primary-care setting. The classic symptoms of the disorder are nasal congestion, nasal itch, rhinorrhea and sneezing. A thorough history, physical examination and allergen skin testing are important for establishing the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment. Allergen immunotherapy is an effective immune-modulating treatment that should be recommended if pharmacologic therapy for allergic rhinitis is not effective or is not tolerated. This article provides an overview of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and appropriate management of this disorder.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Classification of allergic rhinitis according to symptom duration and severity. Adapted from Small et al., 2007 [1], Bousquet et al., 2008 [5]
Figure 2
Figure 2
A simplified, stepwise algorithm for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.Note: Treatments can be used individually or in any combination.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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