Seasonal allergic rhinitis

At a Glance

Seasonal allergic rhinitis is an allergic rhinitis caused by pollen from trees, weeds, and grasses, also known as hay fever.

Representative manifestations include sneezing, clear rhinorrhea or nasal congestion, coughing and postnasal drip, itching of the eyes, nose, and throat, and red, watery eyes.

How the disease works

The main related factor is pollen that spreads in the air depending on the season, and individual allergic susceptibility also plays a role in the occurrence of symptoms.

Pollen antigens trigger an immune response in the nasal and airway mucosa, causing inflammation and allergic symptoms.

Variations in presentation among individuals

Symptoms may vary depending on the type and amount of pollen exposed, the season, the living environment, concomitant allergic diseases, and individual immune susceptibility.

The broad framework of diagnosis and management

Symptoms may exacerbate during spring, summer, and autumn when pollen production is high, and tend to alleviate when exposure is reduced.

Diagnosis is based on symptoms and physical examination, and allergy responses are evaluated through skin tests or blood tests if necessary.

Current status of treatment

Do not conclude the cause or severity of current symptoms based solely on test results; the relationship between the timing of symptoms and pollen exposure, as well as the possibility of other diseases, must be interpreted together.

Management involves reducing pollen exposure, using medications or nasal sprays appropriate for the symptoms, and considering nasal irrigation if necessary.

Medications and nasal sprays are used for symptom relief, while allergy immunotherapy aims to reduce sensitivity to pollen and achieve long-term relief.

How to read clinical trials

ClinicalTrials.gov contains records of completed observational studies associated with this condition, but registration information alone does not imply treatment efficacy or positive results.

Points to verify during clinical consultations

In clinical practice, it is helpful to determine the season and location of symptom onset, suspected pollen exposure, severity of nasal and ocular symptoms, impact on sleep and daily life, current treatments used, and presence of comorbid asthma.