Allergic Rhinitis

The increasing prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) seems to be linked to several important environmental factors that interact with underlying genetic predisposition to influence the risk of this disease. This article examines these environmental determinants of AR, and the evidence for their association with disease prevalence. Exposure to a variety of aeroallergens is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of AR. Other environmental exposures have been suggested to play potential roles in the risk of AR, including bacterial exposure, air pollution, and environmental toxicants.