More Than Just Hay Fever: Delving into the Complications of Untreated Allergic Rhinitis

Millions of people experience allergic rhinitis, which can cause a variety of irritating symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. Even though allergic rhinitis might seem like a small issue, if prompt treatment is not received, it may lead to other complications. Ignoring allergy rhinitis treatment can have detrimental effects on a person's overall health and quality of life. These effects can include decreased productivity, lower sleep, and even the development of more severe allergy diseases. 

This article examines the variety of problems that untreated allergic rhinitis can cause, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment methods.

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Long-term complications of allergic rhinitis

As discussed in Article 4, asthma and ear infections are a few of the most common complications of allergic rhinitis. One of the most common complications of allergic rhinitis is infection. In children, allergic rhinitis is strongly associated with a particular type of middle ear infection. Evidence from a study indicates that kids with allergic rhinitis had a higher chance of getting middle ear infections than children without the condition. 

A further complication of persistent allergic rhinitis is asthma. Numerous scientific studies have established a correlation between allergic rhinitis and asthma. Asthma and allergic rhinitis coexist in about 40% of Malaysian patients. (1,2)

To add to that list, another complication of allergic rhinitis is sinusitis. Sinusitis is characterised by sinus tissue swelling that causes fluid build-up around the nose. This condition can cause discomfort to the patient. There are multiple studies discussing the reason behind such complications due to allergic rhinitis. Most of the studies conclude that allergens and the release of histamine are the main causes of the complications of allergic rhinitis, specifically sinusitis, and ear infections (3).

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Cross-sectional epidemiologic studies found that almost 78% of asthma patients have a high prevalence of allergic rhinitis. On the contrary, up to 37% of patients with seasonal rhinitis also exhibit symptoms of asthma. In addition, a long-term 23-year study found a threefold increase in asthma incidence among individuals with a history of allergic rhinitis compared to those without (10.5% vs. 3.6%). 

The coexistence of allergic rhinitis and sinusitis has been well studied. Many research studies of children and adults show patients with both acute and chronic sinusitis have a high prevalence of allergic rhinitis (3).

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Allergic rhinitis and its effects on quality of life

Other than its impact on health, allergic rhinitis can also affect a person’s day-to-day life and overall well-being. Children aged 12-17 often experience moderate or severe symptoms of allergic rhinitis which significantly impact their quality of life. 

Approximately 83% of children with persistent moderate or severe allergic rhinitis experience sleep disturbance such as snoring and difficulty in breathing while sleeping. Lack of sleep at night will have a negative impact on their mood and behavior. Most children will experience daytime fatigue, irritability, tiredness, inattention, reduced short-term memory, and behavioural problems.  

These symptoms can impair learning and social activities, particularly during the school year when seasonal AR peaks in Spring and Autumn. One study found that, during a usual allergic season, approximately 91% of children with seasonal allergic rhinitis experience a reduction in their school productivity due to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (4,5).

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Therefore, it is crucial to treat allergic rhinitis timely to avoid its complications. To learn more about different treatment options for allergic rhinitis, you can look into our previous article, which discussed various treatment options for allergic rhinitis. 

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Reference

1.      Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis - Etiology - PORTAL MyHEALTH [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 22]. Available from: http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/asthma-and-allergic-rhinitis-etiology/ 

2.      Bergeron C, Hamid Q. Relationship between Asthma and Rhinitis: Epidemiologic, Pathophysiologic, and Therapeutic Aspects. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2005 1:2 [Internet]. 2005 Jun 15 [cited 2024 Apr 22];1(2):1–7. Available from: https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1710-1492-1-2-81 

3.      Skoner DP. Complications of allergic rhinitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol [Internet]. 2000 [cited 2024 Apr 22];105(6 Pt 2):S605–9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10856165/ 

4.      Goniotakis I, Perikleous E, Fouzas S, Steiropoulos P, Paraskakis E. A Clinical Approach of Allergic Rhinitis in Children. Children [Internet]. 2023 Sep 1 [cited 2024 Apr 22];10(9). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10528841/ 

5.      Meltzer EO, Farrar JR, Sennett C. Findings from an Online Survey Assessing the Burden and Management of Seasonal Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis in US Patients. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract [Internet]. 2017 May 1 [cited 2024 Jul 17];5(3):779-789.e6. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27914815/

In collaboration with Menarini

MY-BIL-202407-045

Written by

Tasnim Jaman Raisa