Local allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Local allergic rhinitis is a localized allergic response of the nasal mucosa to aeroallergens in the absence of atopy with characteristic production of specific local immunoglobulin E antibodies in the nasal mucosa, T helper type 2 cellular infiltration response during the exposure to aeroallergens and positive results via the nasal allergic provocation test with the release of inflammatory mediators (triptase and eosinophil cationic proteins). Even though the prevalence of local allergic rhinitis has been and is still being investigated, a large number of patients with diagnosed non-allergic rhinitis or idiopathic rhinitis are currently classified as having local allergic rhinitis. The causes of local allergic rhinitis are most commonly house dust, dust mites, pollens and many others. Diagnosis of local allergic rhinitis is made using nasal allergen provocation tests when the prick test for standard inhalation allergens and the serum specific immunoglobulin analysis for aeroallergens are negative. The increasing amount of data on localized allergic response in non-atopic patients asks for many answers regarding local allergic rhinitis. These answers can be obtained by a study on the prevalence and incidence in children and adults, the impact of positive family atopy in the development of disease, the impact of associated diseases of the lower respiratory tract and conjunctiva, the effectiveness of drug treatment and the issue of administration of specific immunotherapy.