What is Allergic Rhinitis?

Hay fever is the common name to describe allergic rhinitis and involves a recurrent runny, stuffy, itchy nose, and frequent sneezing. It can also affect your eyes, sinuses, throat and ears.1

Like any other allergy, allergic rhinitis is an inappropriate immune system response to an allergen – most commonly house dust mite, pet, pollen and mould.1 About 20 per cent of the general population suffers from rhinitis.1

Impact

Allergic rhinitis can have a significant impact on:

Sleep2

Concentration2

Learning and daily function2

Affect childhood behaviour and development2

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of acute allergic rhinitis (hayfever) include:

Causes of Allergic Rhinitis

The key causes of allergic rhinitis are:

Dust mites1

Pollen1

Pets1

Mould allergens1

References:
  1. www.allergy.org.nz Allergy New Zealand: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever). 2008. Downloaded October 2020.
  2. www.allergy.org.au ASCIA: Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Update. 2020. Downloaded October 2020.
  3. www.allergy.org.au ASCIA: Is it allergic rhinitis (hay fever)?. 2019. Downloaded October 2020.
  4. Horak F et al. Inflamm Res. 2010; 59(5): 391-398.