Article:

Skin Prick Test reactivity to common aeroallergens among patients of Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract: Aims and Objectives: This study aims to investigate the pattern of skin prick test reactivity to various aeroallergens among patients presenting with allergic rhinitis symptoms. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 patients in the Department of ENT-HNS of a tertiary centre from December 2021 to January 2023. It included patients above six years of age diagnosed with allergic rhinitis based on the ARIA guidelines (2019). Exclusion criteria included chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, tumours of the nose or sinuses, pregnancy, drug-induced rhinitis, and patients on antihistamines, steroids, or antileukotrienes within 7 days before the study. Result: The skin prick test reactivity to aeroallergens was assessed in 145 patients aged 11 to 70 years (mean age: 31.98 years). Eye symptoms occurred in 59%, skin symptoms in 31%, and airway symptoms in 41% of the patients with allergic rhinitis. Frequent allergens were D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Blomia, wheat dust, and rice grain dust. Among all the patients, 8.96% had no positive skin test reactions. Conclusion: Eye, skin and airway symptoms are the common symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis. Majority of patients have polysensitization, house dust mites being the most common allergen. Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, dust mites, skin prick test