Recent combination therapy options for allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Treatment should be initially preventive through allergen and pollutant avoidance as much as possible. For pollen allergy, it is beneficial to stay away from outdoor activities during the seasons with high pollen density and not to open doors and windows in the morning and evening hours when pollen levels are highest. If the patient has outdoor activities, it is better to remove the clothes upon entering the home, have a shower and wash the hair. Air conditioners should have a pollen filter working by recirculating the room air. Nasal pollen filters and balms can reduce symptoms by about a third. There can be significant improvement in few patients by allergen avoidance alone. Most need additional pharmacotherapy. Those with uncontrolled symptoms may be candidates for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). Pharmacotherapy does not change the course of the disease; medications only prevent or reduce symptoms. AIT has been shown to reduce symptoms even after discontinuation, to decrease progression from AR to asthma and to reduce new sensitisations. In this chapter, recent combination therapy options for allergic rhinitis are reviewed.