Allergic rhinitis is considered severe if your symptoms lead to you having one or more of the following:
- Disturbed sleep leading to daytime drowsiness
- Frequent waking due to breathing symptoms
- Restricted daily activities, sport or leisure
- Abnormal work and school performance
If symptoms are ongoing or difficult to control, even when taking medication, your doctor may refer you to an allergy specialist for management. You can also request a referral. Your specialist will review your symptoms and treatment and may discuss long term treatment known as allergen immunotherapy.
Symptoms may be regarded as mild when there is no disturbance in sleep, leisure, school or work activities.