Watery rhinorrhoea can be a symptom of several other disorders, including non-allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, hormonal changes or a damaged nose, or may arise from medication. A rare but serious cause is a cerebrospinal fluid leak, often but not always a result of a head trauma.13,14

Signs and symptoms not associated with AR but which should be referred include:9

·      symptoms only appearing on one side;

·      a blocked nose with no other symptoms;

·      clear rhinorrhoea appearing mainly on one side, especially if worsened by leaning forward;

·      pain;

·      photophobia;

·      recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis);

·      orbital cellulitis – infected eyelids causing swelling.