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Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is an immune reaction in the nasal lining triggered by airborne allergens. The nose, eyes, and throat are most affected. In tropical and subtropical climates, year-round humidity fosters persistent dust-mite and mould exposure, meaning symptoms rarely follow a neat “season” the way they do in temperate climates. Pollen seasons can drive sharp spikes in symptoms each spring.

Singulair

Montelukast

4 · 5 · 10mg

Montelukast 4mg, 5mg and 10mg, as chewable and film-coated tablets, used for asthma and allergic rhinitis. A leukotriene receptor antagonist.

From$1.08/ tabletView

Rhinocort

Budesonide

100mcg

Budesonide 100mcg nasal spray solution, used in the management of allergic rhinitis and nasal polyps. A glucocorticoid applied inside the nose.

From$41.81/ inhalerView

Allegra

Fexofenadine

120 · 180mg

Fexofenadine 120mg and 180mg film-coated tablets, used for seasonal allergic rhinitis and urticaria. A second-generation H1-receptor antagonist.

From$1.20/ tabletView

Flonase Nasal Spray

Fluticasone

50mcg

Flonase Nasal Spray is fluticasone 50mcg as a nasal suspension for allergic rhinitis, a glucocorticoid applied inside the nose.

From$35.38/ sprayView

Periactin

Cyproheptadine

4mg

Cyproheptadine 4mg tablets, used for allergic rhinitis and urticaria. A first-generation antihistamine that also blocks serotonin at its receptors.

From$0.48/ tabletView

Ilaxten

Bilastine

20 · 40mg

Ilaxten is bilastine 20mg and 40mg tablets for allergic rhinitis and urticaria, a selective H1 antagonist that does not sedate.

From$1.09/ tabletView

Dymista

Fluticasone, Azelastine

50/140mcg

Fluticasone with azelastine as a nasal spray suspension, used for allergic rhinitis. A nasal corticosteroid paired with an H1 receptor antagonist.

From$24.86/ sprayView

Astelin

Azelastine

10ml

Astelin is azelastine as a 10ml nasal spray for allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis. A long-acting H1 antagonist that also stabilises mast cells.

From$27.54/ sprayView

Rhinocort Nasal Spray

Budesonide

64mcg

Rhinocort Nasal Spray is budesonide at 64mcg per spray for allergic rhinitis, a glucocorticoid with strong local action and little beyond it.

From$19.04/ sprayView

Key points

  • Poor sleep and daytime fatigue caused by a blocked nose are common but often overlooked features of the condition.
  • Combining a daily antihistamine with a nasal steroid spray tends to work better than either treatment used alone.
  • Blockage confined to one side, bloody discharge or a lost sense of smell can point to a different underlying problem.

What the symptoms look like

The hallmark cluster is sneezing (often in runs), a clear runny nose, nasal blockage, and itchy or watery eyes. Some people also notice an itchy palate or ears. Symptoms can be intermittent, tied to a specific exposure like a cat or a dusty room, or persistent, present on most days. Fatigue and poor sleep from nasal obstruction are common but under-recognised complaints.

Choosing the right treatment approach

Avoiding triggers where practical is the first step, but it is rarely enough on its own. For most people, treatment combines an antihistamine with a nasal corticosteroid spray.

Antihistamines such as bilastine or cyproheptadine reduce sneezing, itch, and watery discharge quickly. Nasal sprays containing fluticasone or budesonide target congestion and inflammation at the source and work best when used consistently rather than just on bad days. For people whose rhinitis is complicated by asthma or exercise-induced wheeze, montelukast addresses both airways together. Topical antihistamine sprays such as azelastine act within minutes and suit those who prefer not to take a daily tablet.

See also the respiratory health range for related conditions.

When to seek further assessment

Rhinitis is rarely dangerous, but a few patterns warrant medical attention: symptoms that persist despite treatment, one-sided nasal blockage or bloody discharge, loss of smell, or severe facial pain. These may point to structural issues or a different diagnosis rather than simple allergy.

Further reading