Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hay fever natural history, complications and prognosis
Introduction
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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Complications
- Drowsiness and other side effects of antihistamines
- Side-effects of other medications (see the specific medication)
- Asthma
- Sinusitis
- Nasal polyps
- Disruption of lifestyle (usually not too severe)
Prognosis
Most symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be readily treated.
In some cases (particularly in children), people may outgrow an allergy as the immune system becomes less sensitive to the allergen. However, as a general rule, once a substance causes allergies for an individual, it can continue to affect the person over the long term.
More severe cases of allergic rhinitis require immunotherapy (allergy shots) or removal of tissue in the nose (e.g., nasal polyps) or sinuses. A case-control study found “symptomatic allergic rhinitis and rhinitis medication use are associated with a significantly increased risk of unexpectedly dropping a grade in summer examinations”.[1]
References
References
- ↑ Walker S, Khan-Wasti S, Fletcher M, Cullinan P, Harris J, Sheikh A (2007). “Seasonal allergic rhinitis is associated with a detrimental effect on examination performance in United Kingdom teenagers: case-control study”. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 120 (2): 381–7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2007.03.034. PMID 17560637.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]