Abstract
The prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis is increasing constantly in both Sweden and Turkey, causing an increase in the number of patients who seek primary care. The prevalence in adults is higher in Sweden than in Turkey. Those who are primarily affected by allergy are children and adolescents. The environment in early childhood appears to be important in determining the risk of developing atopic diseases. In Sweden the dominating cause of allergic complaints is birch pollen. The spectrum of allergy presents in our immigrants from Turkey is dependant on the length of time they have lived in Sweden. Asthma is found much more often in those with rhinoconjunctivitis than in the population as a whole. It is important that the patient receives adequate treatment from the districtnurse or doctor as anything less cause a lower quality of life and increases the risk for asthma. Care is primary responsibility of the districtnurse and it is important from the point of view of health to work with the patient in a preventive manner.