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Understanding the different steps of your allergic rhinitis care journey can feel complicated sometimes. What can you expect from your healthcare provider at each stage? What treatment options might be available to you? This module breaks your patient journey into clear phases and guides you through each one.
The information below covers care at both the primary care level (pharmacist care and your family doctor/general practitioner) and the specialist care level. For the best experience, we recommend reviewing the earlier modules on this Patient Portal to become familiar with key terms. You can also consult our Glossary for additional support.
No matter where you are in your allergic rhinitis journey, some parts of care remain important at every stage. A key element is self‑management. Avoiding the allergens that trigger your symptoms is one of the most effective steps you can take yourself. Nasal saline rinses are another simple, non‑medication option you can use anytime to help wash allergens out of your nose and relieve congestion.
When you see a healthcare provider, they will help you understand your condition, explain which treatments are right for you at that moment, and show you how to use them correctly. Most importantly, every decision about your care should be made through shared decision‑making. Your preferences, experiences, and goals matter — and your voice should always be part of the plan.
If you experience two or more symptoms, suggestive of allergic rhinitis (hay fever), for at least one hour a day on most days, this step helps you take action. If you haven’t seen a healthcare professional and don’t have any “red-flag” symptoms, start with self-management supported by pharmacy care. Your pharmacist can help you establish whether your symptoms are indeed suggestive of allergic rhinitis and offer guidance on nasal saline rinsing and first-line, over-the-counter treatment options. To help you decide which treatment option is the most appropriate one for you, it’s important to discuss when you are experiencing symptoms and how severe they are.
In the figure below, we talk about symptom frequency (‘intermittent’, ‘persistent’) and intensity (‘mild’, ‘moderate to severe’). Learn more about this classification here.
Your pharmacist will also monitor for other health conditions that often occur alongside allergic rhinitis, known as comorbidities, and will advise you to see your GP if needed.
When you experience symptoms of allergic rhinitis, you may choose to skip self management or pharmacy care altogether and immediately visit your GP to discuss your symptoms. Your pharmacist may also refer you if your symptoms are not suggestive of allergic rhinitis or if you present with any “red flag” symptoms. Additionally, if the first line treatment options recommended by your pharmacist do not adequately control your symptoms, it is also time to consult your GP.
Your GP will ask you several questions and may propose specific tests, such as a blood test or skin prick testing if the necessary equipment is available in the practice. They will then create a clear treatment plan tailored to your needs. Get optimally prepared for this first visit with our “How to Prepare for Your Consultation” PDF. Your healthcare provider will also be on the look-out for symptoms of other conditions that often occur alongside allergic rhinitis.
If you have already tried first-line treatment, your GP will explore how you have used the treatment (as-needed versus continuous use) and if your technique is right, in case of nasal sprays or eye drops.
If your symptoms haven’t improved after a reasonable amount of time—even after your treatment plan has been adjusted—and you’ve been taking your medication correctly and on time, it’s time to see a specialist. In some countries, you may need a referral from your GP to make that appointment. A specialist will confirm your allergic rhinitis diagnosis with additional tests and rule out other possible conditions to ensure you get the right treatment. The specialist can provide more advanced, tailored treatment options to meet your specific needs, such as allergen immunotherapy.
If you show signs of other health conditions that often occur alongside allergic rhinitis—called comorbidities—you may also be referred to a different type of specialist. For example, you might need to see a lung specialist (pulmonologist) or a dermatologist.
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