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Back A Airways: Tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. Allergen: A substance (like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander) that can cause an allergic reaction in certain people. Allergen (specific) immunotherapy (AIT): A treatment that may help the body get used to allergens so it reacts less over time. Often given as injections or drops/pills under the tongue. Allergic conjunctivitis: an eye condition that happens when the tissue that lines the inside of the eyeslids and covers the white part of your eyes becomes inflamed due to an allergic reaction. Symptoms include intense itching, redness, and watery eyes. Allergic rhinitis (hay fever): An allergic reaction in the nose that can make you sneeze, have a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy/watery eyes. Often triggered by pollen, dust mites, or pets. Allergic shiners: discoloration of the skin beneath the eyes in some people with allergic rhinitis. Animal dander: lightweight flakes of dead skin shed by animals with fur or feathers (similar to dandruff in humans). These tiny particles can carry allergenic proteins that come from the animal’s saliva, urine, or skin glands. It is a common, year‑round allergen that can trigger allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to it. Anterior rhinoscopy: A quick exam where a doctor looks into the front part of your nose using a special tool (nasal speculum) to check for swelling, irritation, or nasal polyps. Antihistamines: medicines used to treat allergies by blocking the action of “histamine”, a chemical the body releases during an allergic reaction. They are available as tablets, nasal sprays, or eye drops. Anti-inflammatory: A term for medicines (like corticosteroids) or actions (like rinsing with salt water) that reduce swelling, redness, or irritation in the body. Asthma: A lung condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making it hard to breathe. People with allergic rhinitis and/or chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) often have asthma too. Atopic dermatitis: a long‑lasting condition that makes the skin red, itchy, and inflamed, which can be uncomfortable. B C Chest symptoms: Issues such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, or tightness in the chest—often linked with lung conditions like asthma or COPD. Chronic: Means something that lasts a long time (often three months or more) or keeps coming back. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS): A condition defined by long-lasting inflammation inside the nose and sinuses, causing symptoms like a stuffy nose, runny nose, loss of smell, and facial pain. Comorbidities: Other conditions or diseases that occur at the same time as the main condition. For example, many people with CRS also have asthma or allergies. Cromones: medicines (such as cromolyn and nedocromil) that help prevent allergy symptoms by targeting certain immune cells and preventing them from releasing the substances that trigger allergic reactions. They are used to prevent—not quickly treat—conditions like allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. D Decongestant nasal sprays/drops: Medicines sprayed or dropped into the nose for quick relief of stuffiness. Safe only for short-term use (a few days) due to the risk of “rebound congestion” if overused. Decongestant pills (oral decongestants): Tablets (often containing pseudo-ephedrine) that help shrink swollen tissues in the nose. Used short-term only because the risks generally outweigh the benefits. For some people, it can be unsafe to take these pills. Diagnosis: The process where a doctor determines what health condition a person has. E Eczema: see ‘atopic dermatitis’. ENT doctor (Ear-Nose-Throat specialist): A doctor who specialises in conditions affecting the ear, nose, and throat. Also called an otolaryngologist. F Facial pain/pressure: An uncomfortable feeling in the face, forehead, or cheeks that can happen when sinuses are inflamed or blocked or due to nasal polyps. First-line treatments: The initial or standard treatments recommended by medical guidelines. For AR, these include saline rinses, nasal corticosteroid sprays and oral/nasal antihistamines. Food allergy: a condition where the immune system mistakenly thinks certain foods are harmful. Eating these foods can trigger an allergic reaction that may affect the skin, stomach and intestines, or breathing. G Genetics (Hereditary): Refers to the information passed down from parents to children through genes that can make some people more likely to develop certain conditions. H Hay fever: A term often used to describe allergic rhinitis. The term itself is confusing, because the condition is not caused by contact with hay, and there is no fever. Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction in the nose that can make you sneeze, have a runny or stuffy nose, and itchy/watery eyes. Often triggered by pollen, dust mites, or pets. House dust mite: Tiny insect-like pests found in household dust that can trigger allergies. I Immune system: Your body’s defence against infections and foreign substances. In some diseases, such as asthma, your immune system may overreact, causing ongoing inflammation. Inflammation: Swelling or irritation in the body’s tissues, often due to the immune system’s response to infection or irritants. Inherited: Refers to traits or a higher chance of developing certain conditions that are passed from parents to children through genes. -itis (suffix): A medical ending that means “inflammation.” Whenever you see “-itis” in a word (like rhinitis or sinusitis), it indicates that the tissue or organ named is swollen or inflamed. Irritant: A substance or environmental factor that can set off or worsen symptoms by irritating the airways. J K L Leukotriene modifiers (also called leukotriene receptor antagonists LTRAs): Oral medicines that block “leukotrienes”, chemicals in the body that contribute to allergy and asthma symptoms. In allergic rhinitis, they are used only as an add‑on treatment for people who have both asthma and allergic rhinitis. M Mucosa: A moist, protective lining inside body passages like the nose, sinuses, and mouth. In allergic rhinitis, the nasal lining becomes inflamed, leading to symptoms like nasal congestion and a runny nose. Mucus: The slippery fluid produced by your nose and sinuses to trap dirt and germs. When there is too much mucus or when it’s thick, it can cause a runny nose and mucus dripping down the back of the throat (called postnasal drip). N Nasal: Refers to anything