Allergic rhinitis clinics caused by house dust mites (HDM) and pollens

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.