Inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose due to allergy to pollen, dust, or other airborne substances.
Also called hay fever, it causes sneezing, a runny nose, and nasal congestion.
Antihistamine drugs and topical corticosteroid drugs are used to treat mild attacks.
The drug sodium cromoglicate, inhaled regularly throughout the pollen season, may help to prevent attacks.
Long-term relief of symptoms can sometimes follow desensitization to a pollen allergen by a course of injections (see hyposensitization).
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