Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is an inflammation in the nose as a result of the body’s reaction to environmental allergens in the air. It is particularly common in children and adolescents, causing symptoms such as clear runny nose, postnasal drip, sneezing and nasal itch.
If left untreated, allergic rhinitis can lead to:
Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:
Every individual reacts to allergens differently. Some may experience symptoms very often, while others may occasionally experience very mild symptoms.
Allergic rhinitis is caused by environmental allergens which can be present throughout the year or seasonally.
Refers to allergic rhinitis that happens all year round. It can be caused by:
Refers to allergic rhinitis that occurs seasonally. It can be caused by:
You may have a higher risk of developing allergic rhinitis if you have:
Possible complications include:
The best way to avoid allergic rhinitis is to reduce your exposure to the allergens causing their symptoms.
If your doctor has prescribed allergy medications, take the medication before you are exposed to allergens, as directed by your doctor.
Upper respiratory tract infections are extremely common and can be concerning. Find out when an URTI becomes an emergency.
Dr Samuel Yeak, ENT specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, tells us everything we need to know about allergic rhinitis.
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