How do doctors diagnose allergic rhinitis?
When assessing whether someone has allergic rhinitis, doctors
consider symptoms, find out about the person’s everyday environment, do a
physical examination, check asthma control and check for allergies.
Talk to your doctor if:
- your symptoms started and whether they have become better or worse over time
- you usually have symptoms at particular times of the year
- anything or any places seem to make symptoms better or worse
- you have any known allergic conditions (including asthma due to
allergies, skin allergies) and whether family members have allergies
- you have tried any medicines, such as over-the-counter nasal sprays or tablets, and whether they made a difference
Your doctor may:
- measure how well your lungs are working, using a spirometer, or
arrange for you to have this test- If you normally test your own lungs
using a peak flow meter each day, bring your results
- offer allergy tests – either skin-prick tests or blood tests – or
arrange for you to have these tests done by a specialist. [Other methods
that claim to test for allergy (e.g. cytotoxic food testing,
kinesiology, Vega testing, pulse testing, reflexology and hair analysis)
are not useful tests and should not be used]
- suggest that you try using a nasal spray for a few weeks and come back
- refer you to an allergy specialist or an ear, nose and throat surgeon
You may need to see a specialist if you have any symptoms that are
not typical of allergic rhinitis, such as long-term sinus problems,
polyps in the nose, pain, loss of hearing or sense of smell, persistent
cough, or if only one nostril is always blocked or bleeding..
