400 million sufferers
Tickling sensations, sneezing fits, watery eyes, itching, a blocked or runny nose... Although very common, allergic rhinitis has a real impact on sufferers’ quality of life. Approximately 400 million people suffer with this respiratory allergy1.
Allergic rhinitis is described as seasonal (known as “hay fever”) when it is linked to tree, grass, or herbaceous pollens. It is described as perennial when it is due to allergens that are present all year round, such as dust mites, molds, or animal hair (cats and dogs) 2.
The symptoms of allergic rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis has very characteristic symptoms, usually a combination of 3:
- Pruritus (itching, irritation)
- Anosmia (loss of smell)
- Rhinorrhea (runny nose)
- Repeated sneezing
- Nasal obstruction (blocked nose)
In seasonal allergic rhinitis and perennial allergic rhinitis, these symptoms are exacerbated.
Modified microbiota
Imbalances in the gut microbiota and in the ENT microbiota (ear-nose-throat microbiota), also known as “dysbiosis”, have been demonstrated in cases of allergic rhinitis. This dysbiosis is characterized by a low diversity of the gut microbiota 4,5, and a composition of the ENT microbiota (ear-nose-throat microbiota) that differs from that of healthy individuals 6-8. Finally, all the factors that can impact the gut microbiota (antibiotics, diet, etc.) during the perinatal period may have long-term effects on allergy susceptibility 9.
