ABC of allergies: Perennial rhinitis

Perennial rhinitis may be defined clinically as an inflammatory condition of the nose characterised by nasal obstruction, sneezing, itching, or rhinorrhoea, occurring for an hour or more on most days throughout the year. In one study in London of adults between the ages of 16 and 65 years, the prevalence of rhinitis was 16%; of these, 8% had perennial symptoms, 6% perennial and seasonal symptoms, and 2% seasonal symptoms alone. As with asthma, both seasonal and perennial rhinitis seem to be increasing. ### Non-allergic, non-infective rhinitis* *Poorly understood and more difficult to identify specific causes Allergic rhinitis —Perennial allergic rhinitis can …