Allergic Diseases and Clinical Immunology

Allergic Rhinitis

An allergic response causes itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and other similar symptoms. Allergic rhinitis is otherwise called as hay fever, and it is a type of inflammation in the nose that occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Allergic rhinitis occurs seasonally or year-round. Diagnosis implicates history-taking, examination of the nasal passages and sometimes skin testing. Allergic rhinitis is generally triggered by environmental allergens such as pollen, pet hair, dust, or mold. Inherited genetics and environmental exposures contribute to the development of allergies.

The characteristic symptoms of allergic rhinitis are: