When hay fever doesn't quit. Diagnosing seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis
Kaslow, J.E.; Novey, H.S.
Postgraduate Medicine 85(6): 164-8 171-2
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-5481 PMID: 2710724 Document Number: 340205
Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually easily diagnosed by the seasonal nature of characteristic symptoms combined with evidence of appropriate specific IgE antibodies. Perennial allergic rhinitis, however, may present a diagnostic challenge. The physician may find IgE antibodies to allergens perennially encountered by the patient and should look for other causes of chronic rhinitis. Examination of nasal secretions can be a diagnostic aid, but measurements of eosinophils and total IgE in serum have limited diagnostic value.