Risk factors of allergic rhinitis and its prevention strategies

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global disease with high prevalence. It reduces the patient's quality of life seriously. The health care and management of AR was also a heavy social burden. Specific immunotherapy (SIT) is the only curative treatment for AR that may alter the natural course of this disease. However, acceptance and compliance of SIT in AR patients are still not high and many patients are not effectively controlled. Disease prevention based on known risk factors is much more cost-effective compared to post-diagnosis treatment. There have been some reports on the risk factors of AR up to now, but the information is fragmented. This review systemically clarified the risk factors of AR including hereditary factors and family history, maternal situation & mode of delivery and feeding, personal characteristics, nutrition and food intake, personal behavior and habits, acquired environmental and chemical exposure, diseases and health status. The preventive strategies were also proposed briefly. This review was hopeful to improve people's awareness of the risk factors of AR and put forward AR prevention.