title: When hay fever doesn't quit. Diagnosing seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.
abstract: Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually easily diagnosed by the seasonal nature of characteristic symptoms combined with evidence of appropriate specific IgE antibodies. Perennial allergic rhinitis, however, may present a diagnostic challenge. The physician may find IgE antibodies to allergens perennially encountered by the patient and should look for other causes of chronic rhinitis. Examination of nasal secretions can be a diagnostic aid, but measurements of eosinophils and total IgE in serum have limited diagnostic value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California College of Medicine.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kaslow
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Novey
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E