About Respiratory Allergies and Treatment Options

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the most common respiratory allergy, affecting up to 15% of children and 26% of adults in the UK.
It affects quality of life, school and work attendance and it is a risk factor for development of asthma.³

From 2009 to 2019, over 3.3 million people in the UK sought help for AR symptoms across all age groups. Despite its impact, only 12% were ever referred to an allergy specialist. After diagnosis, healthcare use increased significantly: average GP visits rose from 7.5 to 10 per year, respiratory-related hospital visits from 5.5 to 7.1 per year, and the proportion of patients needing AR prescriptions climbed from 45% to 63%. The average number of prescriptions nearly doubled.²

These figures underline the significant burden AR places on both individuals and the healthcare system. With expertise in respiratory allergy care, we are committed to providing healthcare professionals with practical, evidence-based education to support better patient outcomes and improved quality of life.

Allergy testing can help confirm sensitisation and may be performed using either skin prick testing and/or blood testing for allergen-specific IgE, depending on the individual patient.⁵

Skin Prick Testing (SPT) should be a routine part of the assessment for suspected AR, as it helps differentiate between allergic and non-allergic rhinitis. SPTs are highly reliable for ruling out allergies, though results must always be interpreted alongside the patient’s clinical history.⁵

Serum Total and Allergen-Specific IgE blood tests are useful where SPT cannot be performed (e.g. widespread eczema, antihistamine use, or risk of severe allergic reaction), or if SPT results are inconclusive. Total IgE on its own is non-specific but can provide context when interpreting specific IgE results. For house dust mite allergy, SPT and specific IgE have similar sensitivity; for other common inhalant allergens like cat, mould, and grass pollen, SPT is generally more sensitive.⁵

Always interpret allergy test results within the context of the patient’s symptoms and history for accurate diagnosis and management of AR.⁵

Pharmacological treatments for allergic rhinitis typically include oral, intranasal, or ocular antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, and combination intranasal sprays.¹

For patients with ongoing symptoms despite these options, specialist-prescribed allergen immunotherapy (AIT) using high-quality extracts can provide effective relief. Management should be tailored to each patient—factoring in symptom severity, allergen exposure, preferences, and any co-existing conditions. Unlike standard medications, AIT addresses the underlying immune response, offering the potential for lasting improvement and disease modification in those able to complete the treatment course.^1,6