Allergic rhinitis is not only troublesome and uncomfortable, but it also increases the risk for other problems, including ear and sinus infections and asthma.
Recent studies suggest that allergies and asthma are increasing worldwide.
Among the groups participating are the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The effort is underwritten by Schering Laboratories, makers of Claritin, a widely prescribed allergy medication. This is the first time that a task force . . . The development of this consensus document has the potential to have an immediate and positive impact on millions of adults and children across the country. One concern of the task force is that many people with allergies self-treat with nonprescription medications that fail to control their symptoms adequately.