Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare allergic rhinitis clinics caused by two most common allergens: house dust mites (HDM) and pollens. Three hundred and fifty patients were evaluated. These patients  were pure pollen or HDM allergic according to skin prick test (51 HDM+, 299 Pollen+). Mainly, HDM were allergens for perennial allergic rhinitis, while pollens were for seasonal allergic rhinitis (p < 0.01). Both groups were found with similar symptom frequency except palatal, ocular, throat itching and eye redness indicating mostly pollen allergy (p < 0.05). Seasonal exacerbations used for the differential diagnosis were found to be very significantly different. Spring and autumn were the seasons where pollen allergy symptom exacerbation was mainly seen (p < 0.01). HDM allergy was uniquely found with symptom exacerbations in winter (p < 0.05). Rural area visit was found dominating triggering factor for pollen allergy (p < 0.05). The most common triggering factor was house dust exposure in HDM+ group (p < 0.05). HDM allergy being mostly mimicking pollen allergy in allergic rhinitis, however, differs from it with some clinical features. This could be detected with detailed history taken from the allergic rhinitis patients. While doing definitive diagnosis, prick test may be helpful with a clear patient history in patients hard to diagnose.

Key words: Mite, pollen, allergy, rhinitis.