The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stepped up measures to increase the global awareness of Allergic Rhinitis (AR). According to WHO the disease is the most common affecting 26 per cent of Indian population. AR is an inflammation of the nose resulting from exposure to an allergic trigger. Common symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose and itchy nose. It is often associated with asthma and sinusitis. Up to 80 per cent of children with asthma develop symptoms before the age of five and AR often precedes asthma. AR also affects the quality of life of the people, learning, performance and work productivity and the costs incurred in their treatment are tremendous. There is also growing evidence that AR is a risk factor for asthma. Since asthma is fatal early control of AR is crucial. AR affects 24 per cent of the population in UK, 20.6 per cent in Norway, and 19.6 per cent in Germany.

WHO has introduced standard guidelines that would address effective treatment of Rhinitis named ARIA (AR and its Impact on Asthma)-WHO initiative. Although global, this initiative will have an increased focus on India, which harbours 1/3rd of the world’s burden of allergic diseases. “In India majority of population leaves AR untreated, misunderstanding it with common cold. Otherwise, the disease is misinterpreted by both the patient and the doctor. Therefore an awareness generation has been adopted by ARIA WHO as the initial step in combating the disease,” said Dr. Ruby Pawankar, Chairperson Asia Pacific affiliate, ARIA-WHO Initiative. In this context, an easy to understand patient education booklet on Allergic Rhinitis for the public has been developed based on evidences and international recommendations. It is designed for the patients and their families so that they can have an increased awareness on AR and its treatment strategies and thereby seek treatment with a doctor early and also be clear of all myths and misinformation. The book is now translated into 11 regional languages including the Hindi and Marathi version, she said.

The prime cause factors for the disease include allergens like dust mites and cockroaches (most common), moulds, pets, pollens, smoke, asbestos, tea, and diet. Heredity factors are also sometimes responsible. “If one of the parents are suffering from AR, there are 30 per cent chances of the child getting affected. If either parents are affected there are 50 per cent chances of the child getting affected,” she said.

The symptoms for AR include nasal blockage, watery rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching, breathing from the mouth, mucus in oropharynx etc.

In India 10-30 per cent of adults and 10-20 per cent of children are supposed to suffer from the disease. The mode of treatment for the disease includes allergen avoidance, followed by pharmacotherapy consisting of anti-histamines, steroids and hormones, and patient education. Immunotherapy is also sometimes used. The latest entrants in the treatment of AR include second generation anti-histamines like Levocetirizine and Fexofenadine like Aventis Pharma’s Allegra.