Who is prone to developing allergic rhinitis?
Allergic rhinitis affects about 40 million Americans of all ages. It most often develops in childhood, but can begin later in life. The major risk factors for developing allergies are genetics or a family history of allergies. Children whose parents are both affected by allergies have a 75% risk of developing allergies themselves; this risk decreases to about 50% if only one parent is affected. The risk of developing allergic rhinitis increases when patients have other allergic conditions. For example, young children with a history of eczema (an allergic skin disorder) have a higher risk of developing allergic rhinitis and asthma later in life. What are some of the complications? Although allergic rhinitis is not considered a serious or life threatening condition, the condition can have a significant impact on quality of life. The following are some of the reported complications of chronic allergic rhinitis: • Sleep disorders • Daytime fatigue resulting in poor school/work performance
