Role of environmental allergens in rhinitis

This article reviews the various important aspects of commonly implicated e nvironmental allergens in allergic rhinitis. As evident by the high prevale nce 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 tho se 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 alle rgens include animals, dust mites, and fungi, which are usually present per ennially, and commonly produce chronic symptoms. Environmental control meas ures should be considered in the treatment of allergic rhinitis; however, g iven the enormous distribution of many allergens, they are often difficult to carry out.