Descripción general

Los expertos pueden clasificar la rinitis alérgica según la frecuencia y la gravedad con que una persona la padece. La rinitis alérgica es:

• Intermitente si tiene síntomas menos de 4 días por semana o menos de 4 semanas al año.
• Persistente si tiene síntomas 4 días por semana o más o más de 4 semanas al año.
• Mild if your symptoms do not affect your sleep, daily activities, and work or school. You have no symptoms that bother you a lot.
• Moderate to severe if your symptoms do any one of the following:
  • Interfere with your sleep
  • Make daily activities or work or school difficult
  • Bother you a lot

Muchos expertos en los Estados Unidos clasifican la rinitis alérgica según el tipo de alérgenos a los que una persona reacciona y a cuándo ocurren las reacciones.

• Rinitis alérgica estacional (seasonal allergic rhinitis, SAR): A seasonal allergy occurs at the same time each year and is often called hay fever. The most common allergens in seasonal allergies are windblown pollens from trees, grasses, or weeds, so the symptoms of a seasonal allergy usually occur when certain plants are in bloom. (Some types of mold also occur seasonally and may cause similar symptoms.)
• Rinitis alérgica perenne (Perennial allergic rhinitis, RAP): A year-round (perennial) allergy occurs any time during the year. The symptoms of a year-round allergy may be more severe in winter, when people spend more time indoors. Las causas más comunes de las alergias perennes son ácaros del polvo, caspa animal, cucarachas o moho.
• Rinitis alérgica ocupacional (occupational allergic rhinitis, OAR): Occupational allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction to a substance present in the workplace, such as grain, wood dust, chemicals, or lab animals.