The role of allergens in asthma and allergic rhinitis

R Leung
Department of Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong

Respiratory allergy manifested as asthma and allergic rhinitis is commonly encountered in clinical medicine. The identification of relevant inhalant allergens with subsequent allergen avoidance and specific immunotherapy in selected patients is an important part of the management of respiratory allergic disorders. This article presents an overview of the relationship between allergen sensitisation and clinical manifestations, the relevant inhalant allergens and their avoidance, and the effectiveness of allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Hong Kong Med J 1996;2:307-14

Key words: Rhinitis, allergic; Allergens; Desensitization, immunologic; Hypersensitivity, immediate