Management of allergic rhinitis
Early intervention with immunotherapy may alter the natural history of allergic rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis is a common condition of childhood and young adult life.
It is rare during infancy but is estimated to affect about one in 16 children aged 6-7 years, one in 10 children aged 13-14 years and about one in five adults.1,2
Once established, symptoms generally persist for at least 10 years.3,4
The typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis are readily recognised: an itchy nose with clear rhinorrhoea, sneezing and nasal congestion.
Some patients may also have a cough secondary to postnasal drip, a symptom that can be mistaken for asthma.
Although common, allergic rhinitis in children can cause significant impairment in concentration, behaviour, sleep, learning capacity and/or ability to play sports.
Complications include exacerbation of