Allergic Rhinitis Causes & Mechanisms
![Woman sneezing](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/respiratoryhealth/womn-sneezing-970px.jpg.jpg?auto=format)
The “allergic cascade” and its role in allergic rhinitis (AR)
![Allergic cascade](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/respiratoryhealth/conditions/1.1.2%20%e2%80%93%20Causes%20_Allergy%20Cascade_970x416%20EN.jpg?auto=format)
The “allergic cascade” and its vital role in allergic rhinitis (AR)1
The body’s immune response to allergens includes a series of early- and late-phase reactions—the allergic cascade. There are several allergic mediators involved in this cascade, not histamines alone.3
Typically, the allergic cascade follows this pattern3:
- Exposure and sensitization to an allergen
- Early-phase response upon re-exposure to an allergen
- Late-phase response initiated by early-phase allergic mediators
When the body is exposed to an allergen:
- Sensitization involves being exposed to an allergen for the first time3
- The body produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) in response to the allergen, but an allergic reaction/symptoms does not yet occur3
- Re-exposure to an allergen triggers an early-phase response that typically occurs within minutes3
- IgE bound to receptors on mast cells bind to the allergen, crosslinking the IgE3
- When sufficient crosslinking occurs, the mast cells explode releasing histamine and many other inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, eosinophils, and thromboxanes1,3
- The late-phase response occurs from 6-12 hours after allergen re-exposure1
- In this late-phase, immune cells, such as eosinophils, secrete substances that further promote the inflammatory response and recruit other immune cells into the reaction, perpetuating the inflammation and resulting symptoms1,3
- The symptoms can be more severe and persistent than those in the early phase1,3
The end result is the allergic response consisting of a range of bothersome symptoms, often impacting patient quality-of-life, such as rhinorrhea (runny nose), sneezing, congestion, and pruritus (itching).1
In fact, 71% of AR patients suffer from either moderate or severe allergy symptoms.4
Read more about allergic rhinitis
![Woman blowing nose](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/respiratoryhealth/GSK_GEP_Life_1_750x421.jpg?auto=format)
![Woman with dog](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/respiratoryhealth/GSK_GEP_Life_3_750x421.jpg?auto=format)
![Family in park](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/respiratoryhealth/GSK_GEP_Life_4_750x421.jpg?auto=format)
Impact of Allergic Rhinitis on Patient Quality of Life
Find out about the impact allergic rhinitis has on patients’ daily lives
![Healthcare professional with patient](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/respiratoryhealth/conditions/GSK_GEP_Life_5_750x421.jpg?auto=format)
![Healthcare professional](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/respiratoryhealth/GSK_GEP_Life_6_750x421.jpg?auto=format)
![Flonase](https://i-cf65.ch-static.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/health-professionals/en_CA/respiratoryhealth/conditions/Flonase%20Bottle-x2_750x421.png?auto=format)
FLONASE® Allergy Relief
Discover how FLONASE® Allergy Relief can help reduce symptoms in your patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis