Perennial rhinitis

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Abstract
Perennial rhinitis can 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. Rhinitis is commonly managed by both primary and secondary care physicians. Although most cases can be diagnosed and treated in primary care, referral to secondary care is often necessary when patients do not respond to treatment or other diagnoses are suspected. A recent large scale, cross sectional study in six western European countries found that the overall prevalence of rhinitis was 23%.1 The study also showed that the condition is often undiagnosed, as 45% of patients with investigator confirmed allergic rhinitis had not previously received a diagnosis from their physicians. A published review of previous population based studies showed that, as with asthma, both seasonal and perennial rhinitis seem to be increasing.2 #### Summary points ### Allergic rhinitis Perennial allergic rhinitis can be more difficult to diagnose than seasonal allergy, particularly if the patient presents with secondary symptoms of sinusitis and a “permanent cold.” The most common allergen to account for perennial allergy symptoms is the house dust mite ( Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ). Other common causes are animals, particularly cats, …