AR is mainly self-managed or treated in primary care. Long-term data (2003-2014) indicates that the mean weekly GP consultation rate for AR is 19.8 consultations per 100,000 registered GP patients in England. While consultations peak regularly in June (weeks 24-26) and in April to a lesser extent, AR is a significant problem year-round.7

Rhinitis, whether allergic or non-allergic, is also considered a major risk factor for developing asthma. While less than 2 per cent of people without AR have asthma, between 10-40 per cent of people with AR have asthma. Among young adults, 50-70 per cent of those with asthma report having rhinitis. Overall, asthma prevalence can be greater than six times more likely in people with rhinitis than in those without.6,8

Risk of asthma may also increase with the number of allergen sensitivities. One study estimated that asthma risk was around 7% in subjects with pollen-associated rhinitis, 12 per cent in subjects with animal dander associated rhinitis, and 19 per cent in subjects having both pollen and animal allergen rhinitis.8