Allergic rhinitis is the medical term for the inflammation of the nasal passages and causes cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, itchiness or a runny nose.

Allergic rhinitis can be caused by:

• Infection
• Reaction to medication
• Irritation
• Allergy

Allergic rhinitis is classified as either seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or perennial (all year round). The most common allergen that causes seasonal rhinitis is pollen, and perennial is often caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites, indoor moulds and pet fur.

Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

The severity of symptoms can vary, particularly hay fever symptoms as they are dependent upon weather conditions and pollen count (which will be explained further under causes). Symptoms may include:

Symptoms are often mild but may affect a person’s quality of life by disrupting their sleep patterns, therefore interfering with their concentration which may cause them to miss work or school. Many studies have shown that hay fever symptoms can affect school exam results.

If someone suffers from allergic rhinitis they are at greater risk of developing asthma, and hay fever symptoms could trigger an asthma attack