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    Drugs & Diseases>Allergy & Immunology

    Allergic Rhinitis

    Updated: Feb 14, 2023
    • Author: Tiffany Jean, MD; Chief Editor: Michael A Kaliner, MD  more...
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    Overview

    Practice Essentials

    Rhinitis, which occurs most commonly as allergic rhinitis, is an inflammation of the nasal membranes that is characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and rhinorrhea, in any combination. [1] Although allergic rhinitis itself is not life-threatening (unless accompanied by severe asthma or anaphylaxis), morbidity from the condition can be significant.

    Signs and Symptoms

    History

    Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis include the following:

    • Sneezing

    • Itching: Nose, eyes, ears, palate

    • Rhinorrhea

    • Postnasal drip

    • Congestion

    • Anosmia

    • Headache

    • Earache

    • Tearing

    • Red eyes

    • Eye swelling

    • Fatigue

    • Drowsiness

    • Malaise

    Complications of this allergic rhinitis include the following:

    • Acute or chronic sinusitis

    • Otitis media

    • Sleep disturbance or apnea

    • Dental problems (overbite): Caused by excessive breathing through the mouth

    • Palatal abnormalities

    • Eustachian tube dysfunction

    Physical examination

    Nasal features of allergic rhinitis can include the following:

    • Nasal crease: A horizontal crease across the lower half of the bridge of the nose; caused by repeated upward rubbing of the tip of the nose by the palm of the hand

    • Thin, watery nasal secretions

    • Deviation or perforation of the nasal septum: May be associated with chronic rhinitis, although there can be other, unrelated causes

    Manifestations of allergic rhinitis affecting the ears, eyes, and oropharynx include the following:

    • Ears: Fullness, retraction, or abnormal flexibility of the tympanic membrane

    Background

    Rhinitis is defined as inflammation of the nasal membranes [2] and is characterized by a symptom complex that consists of any combination of the following: sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and rhinorrhea. [1] The eyes, ears, sinuses, and throat can also be involved. Allergic rhinitis is the most common cause of rhinitis. It is an extremely common condition, affecting approximately 20% of the population.

    Although allergic rhinitis is not a life-threatening condition, complications can occur and the condition can significantly impair quality of life, [3, 4] which leads to a number of indirect costs. The total direct and indirect cost of allergic rhinitis was recently estimated to be $11.2 billion per year. [5]

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    Next: Background

    Pathophysiology

    Allergic rhinitis involves inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, eustachian tubes, middle ear, sinuses, and pharynx. The nose invariably is involved, and the other organs are affected in certain individuals. Inflammation of the mucous membranes is characterized by a complex interaction of inflammatory mediators but ultimately is triggered by an immunoglobulin E (IgE)–mediated response to an extrinsic protein. [6]

    The tendency to develop allergic, or IgE-mediated, reactions to extrinsic allergens (proteins capable of causing an allergic reaction) has a genetic component. In susceptible individuals, exposure to certain foreign proteins leads to allergic sensitization, which is characterized by the production of specific IgE directed against these proteins. This specific IgE coats the surface of mast cells, which are present in the nasal mucosa. When the specific protein (eg, a specific pollen grain) is inhaled into the nose, it can bind to the IgE on the mast cells, leading to immediate and delayed release of a number of mediators. [6, 7, 8]

    The mediators that are immediately released include histamine, tryptase, chymase, kinins, and heparin. [7, 8] The mast cells quickly synthesize other mediators, including leukotrienes and prostaglandin D2. [9, 10, 11] These mediators, via various interactions, ultimately lead to the symptoms of rhinorrhea (ie, nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, redness, tearing, swelling, ear pressure, postnasal drip). Mucous glands are stimulated, leading to increased secretions. Vascular permeability is increased, leading to plasma exudation. Vasodilation occurs, leading to congestion and pressure. Sensory nerves are stimulated, leading to sneezing and itching. All of these events can occur in minutes; hence, this reaction is called the early, or immediate, phase of the reaction.

    Over 4-8 hours, these mediators, through a complex interplay of events, lead to the recruitment of other inflammatory cells to the mucosa, such as neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages. [12] This results in continued inflammation, termed the late-phase response. The symptoms of the late-phase response are similar to those of the early phase, but less sneezing and itching and more congestion and mucus production tend to occur. [12] The late phase may persist for hours or days.

    Systemic effects, including fatigue, sleepiness, and malaise, can occur from the inflammatory response. These symptoms often contribute to impaired quality of life.

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    Epidemiology

    Prevalence

    The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the United States is estimated to be 7.7% affecting roughly 19.2 million adults each year. In 2018, 7.2% of children younger than 18 years reported symptoms of allergic rhinitis in the past 12 months. [13]  The development of allergic rhinitis before 20 years of age occurs in 80% of cases. [14]

    Throughout the world, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis has slightly escalated. [15] Currently, approximately 10 to 30% of adults and 40% of children are affected. [14] The European Community Resporatory Health survey recorded a prevalence of 10 to 41% in adults with allergic rhinitis. [16] Scandinavian studies have demonstrated a cumulative prevalence rate of 15% in men and 14% in women. [17] The prevalence of allergic rhinitis may vary within and among countries. [18, 19, 20, 21] Highest prevalence of severe allergic rhinitis symptoms in children were observed in Africa and Latin America. [22] This may be due to geographic differences in the types and potency of different allergens and the overall aeroallergen burden.

    Mortality/Morbidity

    While allergic rhinitis itself is not life-threatening (unless accompanied by severe asthma or anaphylaxis), morbidity from the condition can be significant. Allergic rhinitis often coexists with other disorders, such as asthma, and may be associated with asthma exacerbations. [23, 24, 25]

    Allergic rhinitis is also associated with otitis media, eustachian tube dysfunction, sinusitis, nasal polyps, allergic conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis. [2, 1, 26] It may also contribute to learning difficulties, sleep disorders, and fatigue. [27, 28, 29]

    • Numerous complications that can lead to increased morbidity or even mortality can occur secondary to allergic rhinitis. Possible complications include otitis media, eustachian tube dysfunction, acute sinusitis, and chronic sinusitis.

    • Allergic rhinitis can be associated with a number of comorbid conditions, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and nasal polyps. Evidence now suggests that uncontrolled allergic rhinitis can actually worsen the inflammation associated with asthma [23, 24, 25] or atopic dermatitis. [26] This could lead to further morbidity and even mortality.

    • Allergic rhinitis can frequently lead to significant impairment of quality of life. Symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness (due to the disease or to medications), and malaise can lead to impaired work and school performance, missed school or work days, and traffic accidents. Cost of allergic rhinitis have increased substantially in the United States. In 2000 the overall cost of treating allergic rhinitis was estimated at 6.1 billion dollars, while in 2005 this figure was noted to nearly double to 11.2 billion dollars. [5]  In addition to the direct costs attributed to allergic rhinitis, its economic impact is increased by associated disease processes including sinusitis and asthma.

    Demographics

    Allergic rhinitis occurs in persons of all races. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis seems to vary among different populations and cultures, which may be due to genetic differences, geographic factors or environmental differences, or other population-based factors.

    In childhood, allergic rhinitis is more common in boys than in girls, but in adulthood, the prevalence is approximately equal between men and women.

    Onset of allergic rhinitis is common in childhood, adolescence, and early adult years, with a mean age of onset 8-11 years, but allergic rhinitis may occur in persons of any age. In 80% of cases, allergic rhinitis develops by age 20 years. [30] The prevalence of allergic rhinitis has been reported to be as high as 40% in children, subsequently decreasing with age. [31, 32] In the geriatric population, rhinitis is less commonly allergic in nature.

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    Patient Education

    Educate patients on environmental control measures, which involve both the avoidance of known allergens (substances to which the patient has IgE-mediated hypersensitivity) and the avoidance of nonspecific, or irritant, triggers (see Medical Care).

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