We need you! Join our contributor community and become a WikEM editor through our open and transparent promotion process.
Allergic rhinitis
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Also called hay fever - inflammation of the nasal mucosa secondary to allergens in the air.
Clinical Features
- Patient present with a constellation of symptoms
- thin clear rhinorrhea (if thick or discolored, consider infectious causes)
- sneezing
- itching of the nose
- nasal congestion
- nasal obstruction
- clogged feeling in the ears
- triggers often easily identified
- animals
- season changes
- symptoms last until triggers are removed
- should not have fevers
Differential Diagnosis
- viral upper respiratory infection
- bacterial upper respiratory infection
- acute sinusitis
- chronic sinusitis
- fungal sinusitis
- nasal polyposis
- nasal mass
- nasal foreign body
Evaluation
- Clinical diagnosis
- ensure no signs of bacterial infection
