Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction triggered by irritants like pollen, dust, pet dander, or mold and leads to inflammation of the sinuses.
What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is when exposure to an irritant (such as pollen, dust, pet dander, or mold) causes an allergic reaction resulting in inflammation of the sinuses. [1]
What are the main signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
After exposure to the allergen (something that triggers allergic reactions), people may experience sneezing, a runny/stuffy nose, itchy/red/watery eyes, and coughing. Symptoms may range from a minor annoyance that lasts for a short season, to severe and last a long time leading to sleep disturbances.[2]
How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based upon a thorough history and physical examination from a healthcare provider. To confirm a diagnosis, nasal corticosteroids may be prescribed to see if there is a reduction in symptoms. In some cases, blood tests measuring allergy sensitivity or skin prick testing (a procedure where a small amount of the allergen is exposed to the skin) are also used. Rarely, imaging can be used, such as a CT scan, but this is typically not necessary.[2]
What are some of the main medical treatments for allergic rhinitis?
Common treatments include medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and/or intranasal or oral corticosteroids. Another treatment includes exposing the body to small amounts of the allergen (either through a tablet or an injection) in order to develop a better immune response over time, resulting in decreased symptoms.[2]
How could diet affect allergic rhinitis?
One of the risk factors for developing allergic rhinitis later in life is having a food allergy during early childhood (<2 years old).[4] It is believed that introducing foods associated with allergy (e.g., peanuts, gluten, eggs, dairy, and shellfish) to infants may reduce the risk of developing food allergies, and ergo allergic rhinitis later in life. However, the evidence surrounding early allergenic food introduction and developing allergic rhinitis is weak. Currently, there are no dietary recommendations for improving allergic rhinitis. [5]
Are there any other treatments for allergic rhinitis?
Aside from medical treatments, symptoms are usually controlled by reducing exposure to allergens in the environment. Irritant exposure can be reduced by using air filters, regular house cleaning, saline sinus rinses, and wearing masks. There is some weak evidence that acupuncture may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. [6]
What causes allergic rhinitis?
In allergic rhinitis, the immune system is hypersensitized to an allergen and responds with an overreaction to remove the allergen from the body. The body releases histamine and other chemical mediators that cause symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, etc) in an attempt to neutralize and remove the offending substance.[7] It should be noted that this reaction by the body to allergens is typically maladaptive, as the offending allergen is rarely dangerous.
Examine Database: Allergic Rhinitis (Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever)
Research FeedRead all studies
The role of dietary advanced glycation end products in allergic rhinitis riskNew
In this prospective cohort study, a higher intake of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) was associated with a greater allergic rhinitis risk, particularly in the participants with a low genetic risk of allergic rhinitis.
Can eucalyptus oil ease your allergies?
Probiotics for allergic disease symptoms in children
Associations between antihistamine use and pollen, green space, air pollution, and nicotine use
Adding Traditional Chinese Medicine to Western medicine for allergic rhinitis
Frequently asked questions
What is allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is when exposure to an irritant (such as pollen, dust, pet dander, or mold) causes an allergic reaction resulting in inflammation of the sinuses. [1]
What are the main signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
The main signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing; a runny or stuffy nose; itchy, red, or watery eyes; and coughing. These symptoms can vary from mild and seasonal to severe and long lasting.
After exposure to the allergen (something that triggers allergic reactions), people may experience sneezing, a runny/stuffy nose, itchy/red/watery eyes, and coughing. Symptoms may range from a minor annoyance that lasts for a short season, to severe and last a long time leading to sleep disturbances.[2]
What is the difference between cold, flu, and allergic rhinitis symptoms?
Quick answer:
Cold symptoms commonly include nasal congestion and a rare fever, whereas flu symptoms usually involve a high fever and severe aches. In contrast, allergic rhinitis never involves a fever or general aches but often includes a stuffy or runny nose and occasional sneezing.
| SYMPTOMS | COLD | FLU | ALLERGIC RHINITIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever | Rare | Usual, high (100–102 °F), sometimes higher. Lasts 3–4 days. | Never |
| Headache | Uncommon | Common | Uncommon |
| General Aches, Pains | Slight | Usual; often severe | Never |
| Fatigue, Weakness | Sometimes | Usual, can last up to 3 weeks | Sometimes |
| Extreme Exhaustion | Sometimes | Usual, at the beginning of the illness | Never |
| Stuffy, Runny Nose | Common | Sometimes | Common |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Sore Throat | Common | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Cough | Common | Common, can become severe | Sometimes |
| Chest discomfort | Mild to moderate | Common | Rare, except for people with allergic asthma |
Adapted from NIH News in Health [12]
How is allergic rhinitis diagnosed?
Allergic rhinitis is diagnosed through a detailed history and physical examination by a healthcare provider, and nasal corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed for symptom reduction. Additional diagnostic methods may include blood tests for allergy sensitivity, skin prick testing, and (rarely) imaging like a CT scan.
Diagnosis is based upon a thorough history and physical examination from a healthcare provider. To confirm a diagnosis, nasal corticosteroids may be prescribed to see if there is a reduction in symptoms. In some cases, blood tests measuring allergy sensitivity or skin prick testing (a procedure where a small amount of the allergen is exposed to the skin) are also used. Rarely, imaging can be used, such as a CT scan, but this is typically not necessary.[2]
What are some of the main medical treatments for allergic rhinitis?
The main medical treatments for allergic rhinitis include antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids, delivered either intranasally or orally. Additionally, allergen exposure via tablets or injections can help improve the immune response and reduce symptoms over time.
Common treatments include medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, and/or intranasal or oral corticosteroids. Another treatment includes exposing the body to small amounts of the allergen (either through a tablet or an injection) in order to develop a better immune response over time, resulting in decreased symptoms.[2]
Have any supplements been studied for allergic rhinitis?
Several supplements — including probiotics, spirulina, vitamin D, vitamin C, and vitamin E — have been studied for allergic rhinitis. However, the evidence is insufficient to recommend any specific supplementation regimen.
What probiotic strains have evidence for efficacy for hay fever?
Quick answer:
Evidence suggests that a combination of three specific probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1, and Bifidobacterium longum MM-2) can improve quality of life for people with hay fever. Additionally, other probiotic strains have also shown potential benefits for seasonal allergies, although the overall effect is relatively small.
There are many different probiotic supplements currently available. All of them contain different types and doses of probiotic bacteria. This study provides evidence that the particular combination and dosage of three probiotics (Lactobacillus gasseri KS-13, Bifidobacterium bifidum G9-1, and Bifidobacterium longum MM-2) can improve the quality of life of people with hay fever. Previous studies studies have found that other species and strains of probiotic bacteria improve the symptoms of seasonal allergies in adults, including Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818[8], Bifidobacterium longum BB536[9], Lactobacillus paracasei LP-33[10], Lactobacillus GG[11], and Lactobacillus gasseri TMC0356[11]. This evidence indicates that a range of different probiotic bacteria are likely to be of benefit in seasonal allergies and that one particular probiotic supplement is not necessarily more effective than another. However, the benefit of probiotics for seasonal allergies was relatively small in all studies.
How could diet affect allergic rhinitis?
Having a food allergy in early childhood is a risk factor for developing allergic rhinitis later in life, and introducing allergenic foods to infants may help reduce this risk, although the evidence is weak. Currently, there are no specific dietary recommendations for improving allergic rhinitis.
One of the risk factors for developing allergic rhinitis later in life is having a food allergy during early childhood (<2 years old).[4] It is believed that introducing foods associated with allergy (e.g., peanuts, gluten, eggs, dairy, and shellfish) to infants may reduce the risk of developing food allergies, and ergo allergic rhinitis later in life. However, the evidence surrounding early allergenic food introduction and developing allergic rhinitis is weak. Currently, there are no dietary recommendations for improving allergic rhinitis. [5]
Are there any other treatments for allergic rhinitis?
In addition to medical treatments, management of allergic rhinitis symptoms can involve minimizing allergen exposure through methods like using air filters, regular cleaning, saline rinses, and masks. There is also some weak evidence that acupuncture may help alleviate symptoms.
Aside from medical treatments, symptoms are usually controlled by reducing exposure to allergens in the environment. Irritant exposure can be reduced by using air filters, regular house cleaning, saline sinus rinses, and wearing masks. There is some weak evidence that acupuncture may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis. [6]
What causes allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis is caused by the immune system overreacting to allergens, which leads to the release of histamine and other chemicals that produce symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose. This immune response is often maladaptive because the allergens are usually not harmful.
In allergic rhinitis, the immune system is hypersensitized to an allergen and responds with an overreaction to remove the allergen from the body. The body releases histamine and other chemical mediators that cause symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, etc) in an attempt to neutralize and remove the offending substance.[7] It should be noted that this reaction by the body to allergens is typically maladaptive, as the offending allergen is rarely dangerous.
References
Examine Database References
- Lymphocyte Count - Badar VA, Thawani VR, Wakode PT, Shrivastava MP, Gharpure KJ, Hingorani LL, Khiyani RMEfficacy of Tinospora cordifolia in allergic rhinitisJ Ethnopharmacol.(2005 Jan 15)
- Allergy Symptoms - Mittman PRandomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitisPlanta Med.(1990 Feb)
- Allergy Symptoms - Yonekura S, Okamoto Y, Yamasaki K, Horiguchi S, Hanazawa T, Matsune S, Kurono Y, Yamada T, Fujieda S, Okano M, Okubo KA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ten-cha (Rubus suavissimus) on house dust mite allergic rhinitisAuris Nasus Larynx.(2011 Oct)
- Allergy Symptoms - Andersen AH, Mortensen S, Agertoft L, Pedersen SDouble-blind randomized trial of the effect of Bidro on hay fever in childrenUgeskr Laeger.(2005 Sep 19)
- Allergy Symptoms - Cingi C, Conk-Dalay M, Cakli H, Bal CThe effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitisEur Arch Otorhinolaryngol.(2008 Oct)
- Allergy Symptoms - Morteza Nourollahian, Bashir Rasoulian, Attaallah Gafari, Majid Anoushiravani, Farahzad Jabari, Mehdi BakhshaeeClinical comparison of the efficacy of spirulina platensis and cetirizine for treatment of allergic rhinitisActa Otorhinolaryngol Ital.(2020 Jun)
- Interleukin 2 - Sara Mohiti, Meysam Zarezadeh, Fatemeh Naeini, Helda Tutunchi, Alireza Ostadrahimi, Zohreh Ghoreishi, Mehrangiz Ebrahimi MamaghaniSpirulina supplementation and oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trialsClin Exp Pharmacol Physiol.(2021 Aug)
- Interleukin 2 - T K Mao, J Van de Water, M E GershwinEffects of a Spirulina-based dietary supplement on cytokine production from allergic rhinitis patientsJ Med Food.(Spring 2005)
- Allergy Symptoms - Işik H, Cevikbaş A, Gürer US, Kiran B, Uresin Y, Rayaman P, Rayaman E, Gürbüz B, Büyüköztürk SPotential adjuvant effects of Nigella sativa seeds to improve specific immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis patientsMed Princ Pract.(2010)
- Allergy Symptoms - Kalus U, Pruss A, Bystron J, Jurecka M, Smekalova A, Lichius JJ, Kiesewetter HEffect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on subjective feeling in patients with allergic diseasesPhytother Res.(2003 Dec)
- Allergy Symptoms - Nikakhlagh S, Rahim F, Aryani FH, Syahpoush A, Brougerdnya MG, Saki NHerbal treatment of allergic rhinitis: the use of Nigella sativaAm J Otolaryngol.(2011 Sep-Oct)
- Allergy Symptoms - Eleanor Barrager, Joseph R Veltmann Jr, Alexander G Schauss, Rebecca N SchillerA multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitisJ Altern Complement Med.(2002 Apr)
- Allergy Symptoms - Takano H, Osakabe N, Sanbongi C, Yanagisawa R, Inoue K, Yasuda A, Natsume M, Baba S, Ichiishi E, Yoshikawa TExtract of Perilla frutescens enriched for rosmarinic acid, a polyphenolic phytochemical, inhibits seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in humansExp Biol Med (Maywood).(2004 Mar)
- Nasal Congestion - J M Braun, B Schneider, H J BeuthTherapeutic use, efficiency and safety of the proteolytic pineapple enzyme Bromelain-POS in children with acute sinusitis in GermanyIn Vivo.(Mar-Apr 2005)
- Nasal Congestion - Matkovic Z, Zivkovic V, Korica M, Plavec D, Pecanic S, Tudoric NEfficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitisPhytother Res.(2010 Feb)
- Nasal Congestion - Chai K, Wang W, Wang H, Zhang T, Zhou J, Li J, Yang S, Qiao C, Guo X, Zhang X, Wu JEfficacy and safety of biyuan tongqiao granules in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J Ethnopharmacol.(2025 Mar 26)
- Mucus Production - Mazzone A, Catalani M, Costanzo M, Drusian A, Mandoli A, Russo S, Guarini E, Vesperini GEvaluation of Serratia peptidase in acute or chronic inflammation of otorhinolaryngology pathology: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized trial versus placeboJ Int Med Res.(1990 Sep-Oct)
- Allergic Disease Risk - Abrahamsson TR, Jakobsson T, Björkstén B, Oldaeus G, Jenmalm MCNo effect of probiotics on respiratory allergies: a seven-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial in infancyPediatr Allergy Immunol.(2013 Sep)
- Heart Rate Variability - Kunbootsri N, Janyacharoen T, Arrayawichanon P, Chainansamit S, Kanpittaya J, Auvichayapat P, Sawanyawisuth KThe effect of six-weeks of sauna on treatment autonomic nervous system, peak nasal inspiratory flow and lung functions of allergic rhinitis Thai patients.Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol.(2013-Jun)