Take a practical, case-based approach to diagnosing and managing allergic rhinitis in children
Allergic rhinitis (AR) in children is common, often under-recognised, and frequently undertreated in general practice.¹ Beyond nasal symptoms, AR can significantly impact sleep, daily functioning, and overall quality of life, affecting children’s ability to fully participate in school and everyday activities.⁴,⁵ It also commonly coexists with asthma, contributing to poorer respiratory outcomes when not optimally managed.¹,²
This 1-hour online module provides GPs with a practical, evidence-based approach to paediatric AR. It will support differentiation of allergic rhinitis from viral upper respiratory infections, with a focus on key clinical features, history-taking, and examination findings relevant to primary care.³
Participants will review current guideline recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AR in children, including stepwise pharmacological treatment and the role of intranasal corticosteroids and antihistamines.¹–³ The session will also explore antihistamine classification, including brain H1 receptor occupancy (H1RO), to support rational prescribing and minimise adverse effects such as sedation.⁶
Through case-based discussion, GPs will learn how to integrate AR management with asthma care, implement practical treatment pathways, and optimise long-term outcomes for paediatric patients in everyday general practice.¹,²
References
1. Bousquet J, Khaltaev N, et al. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) 2008 update (in collaboration with the World Health Organization, GA(2)LEN and AllerGen). Allergy. 2008;63 Suppl 86:8-160. doi:10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01620.x.
2. Scadding GK, Smith PK, et al. Allergic Rhinitis in Childhood and the New EUFOREA Algorithm. Front Allergy. 2021 Jul 14;2:706589. doi: 10.3389/falgy.2021.706589. PMID: 35387065; PMCID: PMC8974858.
3. ASCIA. Allergic Rhinitis Clinical Update 2024. Available at: https://allergy.org.au/images/stories/pospapers/ar/ASCIA_HP_Clinical_Up… Accessed 20 Feb 2026.
4. Bosnic-Anticevich S, Smith P, et al. Impact of allergic rhinitis on the day-to-day lives of children: insights from an Australian cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2020;10(11):e038870. Published 2020 Nov 24. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-038870.González-Núñez V, Valero AL, Mullol J. Impact of sleep as a specific marker of quality of life in allergic rhinitis. Current allergy and asthma reports. 2013 Apr;13:131-41.
5. Linton, Sophia et al. Evidence-based use of antihistamines for treatment of allergic conditions Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, Volume 131, Issue 4, 412-420.
Learning outcomes
Prof Smith is an allergist with a PhD in molecular immunology. He is also a Professor in Clinical Medicine at Griffith and Professor in Allergy in Singapore. He has published over 90 papers in allergy, and is currently doing work on molecular aspects of allergy hypersensitivity gene activation in rhinitis, food and taste in food allergies, and modification of itch and pain pathways.
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