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How do doctors diagnose allergic rhinitis? |
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Doctors assess whether a person is likely to have allergic rhinitis by considering symptoms, finding out about the person’s environment, doing a physical examination, checking asthma control and investigating allergies. Usually, the doctor will check for rhinitis, then investigate whether this is caused by allergies. Most cases of rhinitis are due to allergy.
Your doctor may ask you about:
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when your symptoms started and whether they have become better or worse over time
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whether you normally have symptoms at particular times of the year
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anything that seems to trigger the symptoms or relieve them
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allergic conditions (including asthma due to allergies, skin allergies) and whether family members have allergies
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any medications you have tried (e.g. over-the-counter nasal sprays or tablets)
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your home environment, type of work and leisure activities.
Your doctor may also:
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measure how well your lungs are working using a spirometer, or arrange for you to have this test. If you normally test your own lungs using a peak flow meter at home each day, bring your results.
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offer allergy tests – either skin-prick tests or blood tests, or arrange for you to have these tests done by a specialist
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suggest that you try using a nasal spray for a few weeks
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refer you to an allergy specialist or an ear, nose and throat surgeon.
Allergy tests
Skin prick testing and blood tests (RAST) are often done to confirm which triggers will set off your rhinitis. The results of allergy tests provide useful information when analysed together with information about your symptoms and other medical history.
Other methods that claim to test for allergy (e.g. cytotoxic food testing, kinesiology, Vega testing, pulse testing, reflexology and hair analysis) are not useful tests and should not be used.
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Content Updated September 2006
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 August 2008 )
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