Allergic Rhinitis

Rhinitis means inflammation of the nose. It can be caused by:

• viral or bacterial infection
• injury
• sensitivity to changes in temperature
• spices
• alcohol
• allergies.

Rhinitis is commonly known as hayfever when it affects people for up to three months during the grass pollen season. The symptoms are like that of a cold. They make sleep difficult, which also affects daytime concentration.

Many people have persistent allergic rhinitis. They have symptoms all year, either constantly or intermittently. Some think that they 'always have a cold', with head congestion, runny nose, headaches and often loss of smell and taste.

Allergic rhinitis also affects 80% of people with asthma, and 50% of people with allergic rhinitis have asthma. Usually allergic rhinitis is not diagnosed or treated, although there is evidence that treating rhinitis can significantly improve asthma symptoms.

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