Role of environmental allergens in rhinitis

This article reviews the various important aspects of commonly implicated environmental allergens in allergic rhinitis. As evident by the high prevalence of allergic rhinitis in the general population, environmental allergens are among the most common causes of rhinitis. Environmental allergens may be categorized into those that are found in the outdoor environment and those that are found in the indoor environment. Pollens and fungi are the two primary allergen sources in the outdoor environment and most often provoke seasonal symptoms (especially in temperate climates). important indoor allergens include animals, dust mites, and fungi, which are usually present perennially, and commonly produce chronic symptoms. Environmental control measures should be considered in the treatment of allergic rhinitis; however, given the enormous distribution of many allergens, they are often difficult to carry out.