Allergic rhinitis or ‘hayfever’

Classical form:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• itchy nose and eyes
• red eyes in spring or summer

These symptoms are usually accompanied by allergy to tree (spring) or grass (summer) pollen, sometimes to weed pollens and fungal spores. This is particularly common in young adults.

Persistent form:

• persistent symptoms of stuffy (and sometimes runny) nose
• usually with cough and a general lack of energy

Allergic causes here include dust mites, pet dander and sometimes mould.

Symptoms are classed as “intermittent” if they occur for less than four days a week and last for fewer than four weeks. Symptoms that exist for longer than this are regarded as “persistent”.

What other problems can allergic rhinitis cause?

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are very common allergic disorders and some clinicians think they are both part of a single “united airways” disease. Untreated allergic rhinitis increases the severity and symptoms of asthma. Patients with both asthma and allergic rhinitis have improved control of symptoms when both diseases are treated.

The two main external signs are:

1. the “allergic shiners”, where the lower eyelids are darkened;

2. “allergic salute”, when an individual rubs their itchy nose.

Allergic rhinitis can be treated effectively, so visit your doctor if your rhinitis is troubling you, particularly if you experience persistent or moderate-to-severe symptoms and you have associated features of asthma (cough, wheeze or tight chest).

• Avoid irritants such as tobacco smoke.
• Allergen avoidance in the home is only possible with house dust mite or pet allergy. Avoidance of
  house dust mites is only effective if a full package of allergen avoidance is being followed, including
  mattress, pillow and duvet cover treatment, and a home visit by trained experts. Applying special bed
  covers is not helpful on its own. Pet allergy can only be treated by removing the pet, which can be a
  difficult decision. It may not be possible to avoid allergens when you visit other places.
• Drug treatment:
  • Mild or intermittent symptoms: antihistamine tablets or syrup (non-sedating antihistamines
    are preferred because they do not cause drowsiness, e.g. loratadine or cetirizine). These
    relieve rhinitis symptoms (particularly sneezing and runny nose) but are less effective for
    blocked nose
  • Moderate-to-severe or persistent symptoms: nasal steroid spray (e.g. budesonide,
    momethasone, fluticasone). Nasal steroids are more effective than antihistamines. They
    have to be taken regularly to prevent symptoms.
  • Montelukast tablets may be used as additional medication in troublesome cases.
  • Other drugs are ineffective (including cromoglycate).
• If such drug treatment is ineffective seek referral to an allergist, ear, nose and throat (ENT)
  specialist or paediatrician. In severe cases, allergen-specific immunotherapy (“allergy shots”) can be
  added. This is effective in most cases.

European Federation of Allergy and Airway Diseases Patients Association (EFA)

This material was compiled with the help of ERS paediatric allergy specialist Prof. Paul Brand.

The following article was used to help compile this factsheet:
de Groot et al. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children. British Medical Journal 2007; volume 335: pages 985-988