title: Allergic rhinitis: a growing primary care challenge.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the growing problem of allergic rhinitis (AR) and the latest recommendations on its diagnosis and management for the nurse practitioner (NP) in primary care settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Recent clinical research, review articles and consensus guidelines, and the author's clinical experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of AR is increasing, possibly due to increased airborne pollutants, poor ventilation, and rising levels of indoor allergens. Allergic disease is systemic and rarely involves a single symptom. Treatments include reducing exposure to allergens as well as pharmacotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient education is crucial for successful management and includes understanding the allergic basis of symptoms, reducing allergen exposure, understanding proper use of medications, and reassessing the plan on a regular basis.
authors.affiliation: Virginia Adult and Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Center, University of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, USA. mlhayden@vaallergy.com
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hayden
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists