Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic disease that can lead to medical complications and is associated with asthma. For a number of reasons, including cost of health care, many patients self-diagnose and self-medicate rather than present for evaluation by a health care provider. While some effective medications are transitioning from prescription to over-the-counter status, patients are not receiving proper education regarding environmental triggers and the consequences of untreated or undertreated rhinitis. Patients rarely appreciate the role AR plays in asthma. Furthermore, uncontrolled AR can result in reduced quality of life with impaired work and school performance and social functioning. This article will discuss the relationship between AR and asthma, summarize signs and symptoms of rhinitis, differentiate allergic from nonallergic rhinitis, and present optimal pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments of rhinitis.