ABSTRACT

Allergic rhinitis is a common condition and its prevalence is rising.Although it is not fatal, it causes considerable distress to the sufferer.The cost, in terms of healthcare resources and lost productivity, is considerable. Current therapeutic options – corticosteroids, antihistamines and allergen immunotherapy – provide moderate relief of symptoms, but may be associated with significant adverse effects. Traditional immunotherapy is allergen specific, inconvenient to administer and may occasionally cause serious allergic reactions.