allergic rhinitis, inflammation of the nasal passages, usually associated with watery nasal discharge and itching of the nose and eyes, caused by a localized sensitivity reaction to an allergen, such as house dust, animal dander, or pollen. The condition may be seasonal, as in hay fever, or perennial, as in allergy to dust or animals. Treatment may include the local, systemic, or topical administration of antihistamines or steroids, avoidance of the antigen, and hyposensitization by injections of diluted antigen in gradually increasing amounts.
