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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Nasal: Refers to anything related to the nose (for example, “nasal passages,” “nasal spray,” or “nasal lining”).
Nasal corticosteroid sprays: Medicines sprayed into the nose to reduce swelling and inflammation. Helps relieve stuffiness over time and is safe for long-term use if used as directed.
Nasal endoscopy: A procedure where a thin tube with a camera is gently inserted into the nose to see deep inside the nasal passages and sinuses.
Nasal saline solution (salt water): A simple mix of water and salt used to rinse the nose. Helps wash away allergens, clear mucus and relieve irritation.
Nasal septum deviation: When the thin wall between the nostrils (the septum) is crooked or off-centre. A severe deviation of the septum can lead to a blocked nasal passage and may worsen sinus problems.
Non-allergic rhinitis: irritation and swelling of the inside of the nose that isn’t caused by allergies or an infection.
Non-sedating: Does not cause drowsiness or make you feel sleepy.
Occupational allergens: Substances at work that can cause an allergic reaction in people who are exposed to them on the job. Examples include flour dust, latex, and certain metals.
Oral: Relating to the mouth. For instance, “oral medications” are taken by mouth.
Oral allergy syndrome (OAS): see “pollen-food allergy syndrome’
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): A condition where the upper airway briefly collapses during sleep, causing repeated pauses in breathing.
Perennial: present throughout the entire year.
Persistent: In allergic rhinitis, this term is used to classify symptoms by how long they last. “Persistent” means the symptoms occur on at least four days per week and for four or more consecutive weeks.
PNIF (Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow): A simple measurement of how fast you can breathe in through your nose. It helps evaluate how blocked your nasal passages are.
Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS): a type of food allergy that happens in people who are allergic to pollen. It occurs because certain proteins in some raw fruits, vegetables, and nuts are the same as, or very similar to, the proteins in pollen, causing the immune system to react to the food as well.
Postnasal drip: When extra mucus made in the nose or sinuses flows down the back of your throat, often making you feel you have to swallow surplus mucus.
Pulmonologist: A doctor who specialises in lung conditions like asthma or COPD.
Rebound congestion: When your nose becomes even more stuffy after stopping decongestant sprays used for too long. It creates a cycle of dependence on nasal sprays.
Red-flag symptoms: Severe signs that mean you should see a doctor immediately.
Rhinitis: Inflammation of the inside lining of the nose, often causing sneezing, itchiness, or runny nose.
Rhinosinusitis: Inflammation that affects both the nose (rhino) and the sinuses (sinusitis). Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is when this lasts more than 12 weeks. When symptoms have been present for less than 12 weeks, it’s called acute rhinosinusitis. This is often triggered by a viral infection (like the common cold) or sometimes by bacteria.
Self-limiting: A term describing an illness (like a typical cold) that gets better on its own, without special medical treatment.
Sensitisation: The process where the body’s immune system recognizes a substance as foreign and starts to produce allergy antibodies to it. If the sensitised person is re-exposed to the same substance, it can trigger typical nasal symptoms.
Sinuses: Air-filled spaces in your face (behind the nose, cheeks, and forehead) that help filter, warm, and moisten the air you breathe. They also affect how your voice sounds.
Skin prick test: A quick test for allergies. A doctor or nurse places small drops of different allergens on your forearm and lightly pricks the skin beneath each drop. After 15 minutes, they check for a reaction. If allergic, the skin around the spot will become red, itchy, and slightly swollen.
Specialist: A doctor with advanced training in a certain area, like ENT (ear-nose-throat), lung (pulmonology), or allergy (allergology).
Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT): a form of allergen immunotherapy given as injections under the skin. Also see “allergen immunotherapy”.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): a form of allergen immunotherapy taken as tablets or drops under the tongue. Also see “allergen immunotherapy”.
Topical: A medicine or treatment applied directly to a certain area of the body, such as inside the nose or on the skin.
Triggers: Things that worsen your symptoms or cause flare-ups, like cigarette smoke, pollution, or certain allergens.
Wheezing: A whistling sound when breathing, especially when you breathe out.
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