During the school years sneezing and runny, itchy nose and eyes become more and more common, usually during the pollen season, on contact with animals, or in damp, dusty areas. Nose and eye symptoms are seldom caused by foods.

Intermittent (seasonal) rhinitis is almost always caused by pollen and can thus often be predicted in advance by means of the case history and the results of allergen-specific IgE antibody testing (ImmunoCAP®). Therefore, prophylactic treatment with local or oral antihistamines, cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium, or, nasal steroids can begin before the pollen season.

Persistent (perennial) rhinitis is not always due to allergy. For example, it can be a non-specific nasal hypersensitivity that does not respond readily to treatment. When due to allergy, it is sometimes difficult to associate with specific exposure to allergens because of the presence of constant symptoms induced by environmental factors such as house dust mites, animal danders or mould spores. Symptoms may improve when the child changes environment temporarily, e.g. on holidays.

Differential diagnosis of persistent rhinitis can be made using ImmunoCAP® Phadiatop®. If due to allergy, the symptoms will usually respond to environmental control measures such as elimination or avoidance of identified allergens. Antihistamine therapy may be added for specific situations when the child is not able to avoid allergen contact. For severe cases of rhinitis with nasal obstruction which is unrelieved by other agents, topical steroids are indicated. In this age group, immunotherapy can also be considered.

Did you know that:

Up to 7 out of 10 children with seasonal and perennial rhinitis are allergic and may benefit from differential diagnosis and treatment.