“Natural history of allergic rhinitis. A review”

Even though not a life-threatening disease, allergic rhinitis has a prevalence over 10% of the total population all over the world with a remarkable social impact and cannot be left to its natural course. Its natural history, that starts with the meeting between the atopic individual and allergenic substances, is marked, during the early years of allergic disease, by typical signs and symptoms: pale nasal mucosa, edema of middle and lower turbinates, increased watery secretion, itching and sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion. During the time, the chronic state of immuno-phlogosis and hyperreactivity can be followed by some important sequelae as sinusitis, otitis media with effusion or asthma. Moreover, nasal symptoms can interfere with the natural course of allergic rhinitis following some rules, such as avoiding the contact with the responsible allergen, avoiding, if possible, predisposing factors, preventive treatment in seasonal rhinitis, and continous treatment mostly in perennial nasal allergy to control the immuno-phlogosis.