In this form of allergic rhinitis symptoms are present throughout the year. Excessive sneezing especially in the mornings and evenings, and a very blocked nose are the main complaints. Intense itching of the nasal passages is not a feature of this condition. The majority of sufferers are sensitive to allergens present in the environment throughout the year, e.g. house-dust mites, fungal spores and animals. Patients with this condition often have a typical appearance known as the allergic facies.
Many people have a clear line across the nose known as the allergic salute.
Associated problems are very common and include abnormalities of the teeth and sinuses, ear problems and post-nasal drip. The diagnosis is readily established on the history of the complaint, and skin prick tests or CAP RAST tests. The latter is done on a small sample of the patient s blood and requires a laboratory to analyse results. In the majority of cases house-dust mites or cats or dogs are identified as the causative allergen. Steroid nasal sprays are very useful in this condition and help enormously in relieving blockage of the nose by reducing the swelling of the nasal mucous membrane.