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The most obvious and easily recognised type of allergic rhinitis is “hay fever”. Hay fever causes itchy, runny nose and eyes during times of the year when people come into contact with pollens or other airborne allergens. But not everyone with allergic rhinitis has these symptoms. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be any combination of itching (in the nose, back of throat, and eyes), sneezing, runny nose or eyes, and a blocked nose. Allergic rhinitis can occur all year round when the allergen is dust mite or pet allergens.
Allergic rhinitis can cause any of these symptoms:
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Frequent sore throats
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Hoarse voice
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A frequently blocked nose with no other symptoms
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A frequent throat-clearing cough, especially in children
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Breathing through the mouth, especially in children
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Snoring
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A feeling of pressure over the sinuses (on the front of the face and head)
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Frequent unexplained headaches
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Frequent middle ear infections, especially in children
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Coughing, especially in children when they lie down at night
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Bad breath
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Loss of sense of smell
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Disturbed or unsatisfying sleep, with daytime tiredness and poor concentration
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Frequent unexplained respiratory symptoms in a person whose asthma is stable and well controlled with appropriate treatment.
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What causes allergic rhinitis?
The most common allergens for people with allergic rhinitis are pollens, house dust mite, pets, moulds and cockroaches.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is usually triggered by wind-borne pollen from grasses, weeds or trees. Symptoms are most common in spring and summer, but can occur at different times depending on the region and rainfall. In tropical northern regions, pollens can be in the air all year round. The amount of pollen in the air is highest:
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in the morning
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outside
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on windy days
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after thunderstorms.
Allergic rhinitis that persists throughout the year (perennial allergic rhinitis) is typically caused by allergy to house dust mite, pets or moulds. Most people with allergic rhinitis are allergic to more than one substance (typically pollen and house dust mite), so many will have symptoms all year or for weeks to months at a time.
Food allergies do not cause allergic rhinitis. When the nose becomes runny or blocked as a reaction to food (e.g. spicy foods, wine), this is not due to allergy but may indicate irritation or a chemical intolerance. Rhinitis in response to fumes (e.g. fragrances and paints) is not an allergic reaction, though it may respond to the treatments for allergic rhinitis.
Content Updated September 2006
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