MedifocusHealth

Often, the history of the symptoms can help to determine if they are caused by allergies rather than infection or another condition. Symptoms that recur each year around the same time (i.e., spring or autumn) and/or occur consistently with exposure to certain irritants (grasses, dust, cats) are classic for allergic rhinitis.

Allergy symptoms often resemble those of the common cold, however, a cold usually resolves within 10 days, while allergy symptoms can persist for weeks or months. Nasal discharge may be thick and yellow during a cold, while with allergies, it is usually thin and clear and is often associated with itching of the eyes, skin or mouth.

Perennial allergic rhinitis must also be distinguished from non-allergic, noninfectious forms of rhinitis, such as idiopathic (vasomotor) rhinitis, hormonal rhinitis, drug-induced rhinitis, and food-induced rhinitis.