Allergic rhinitis in South Africa – Update 2014

The SAARWG met on the 8th and 9th February 2014 to discuss and review important concepts in allergic rhinitis diagnosis and management. The theme of that meeting was to lead clinicians through the ideal ’Allergy Clinic‘ and the diagnostic facilities that may be offered to patients who present for management at such a clinic. The content of that meeting forms the basis of this update. The main reason for this statement is two-fold. Firstly, patients with allergic diseases require careful examination and secondly, they may need a set of diagnostic modalities. All physicians who see such patients must be knowledgeable of the interpretation of such tests. This review will focus specifically on the clinical tools and diagnostic modalities employed in the management of those conditions.