Allergic Rhinitis Guideline Issued

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Jaye Elizabeth Hefner, MD

Clinicians should recommend intranasal steroids for patients with a clinical diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and symptoms that affect their quality of life, according to a new practice guideline from the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. The guidance applies to patients aged 2 years and older.

The group also strongly advises that providers recommend oral second-generation/less-sedating antihistamines for patients with allergic rhinitis whose main symptoms are sneezing and itching.

The foundation recommends against routine sinonasal imaging in patients with symptoms indicative of allergic rhinitis, and also against use of oral leukotriene receptor antagonists as first-line therapy for patients.