ABSTRACT

Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of nasal mucosa occurring in previously sensitized people after exposure to an offending allergen due to specific IgE antibody production. The main symptoms involve nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing and itching. Moreover, allergic rhinitis has a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, affecting physical, emotional and social well-being. The pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis is complicated and involves numerous changes within the immune system, including activation and differentiation of various immune cells, degranulation of basophils and mast cells, production of IgE antibodies, cytokines and chemokines, immune cell migration into the site of allergic inflammation. Various treatment options, such as topical glucocorticoids, oral or topical antihistamines, oral leukotriene receptor antagonists, mast cell membrane stabilizers, decongestants, as well as allergen specific immunotherapy and monoclonal anti-IgE antibody are currently available and even more methods are under investigation. The purpose of this article is to review epidemiology, clinical significance, pathophysiology and current and future treatment options for the allergic rhinitis.