Miss Sarah CHOW, an 18 year old, had recently been diagnosed to have allergic rhinitis. She was prescribed loratadine (Claritin ®) and phenylephrine to relieve her symptoms by a family doctor.

Name THREE of the common allergic rhinitis symptoms (3 marks)

Rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Allergic rhinitis is common, the nasal mucosa has high exposure to allergens. This is because the nasal cavity is specifically designed to clean and filter air, and it does so by retaining particulates in the nasal hairs and the mucous lining. Small particulates are engulfed by macrophages, which may then lead to initiation of an inflammatory response.

Runny nose

Blocked nose, congestion

Sneezing

Itching