Does nasal provocation play a role in the diagnosis and management of ragweed-induced allergic rhinitis?

Twenty-seven patients with ragweed allergic rhinitis were evaluated before the season by allergen-induced nasal reactivity. Symptom scores were recorded during the season, and repeat nasal challenges performed at the end. Nasal response to ragweed insufflation did not predict seasonal symptoms. No change in threshold reactivity occurred at the end of the season, once peak symptoms had passed. In the evaluation of patients with allergic rhinitis, specific nasal challenge did not help predict seasonal clinical symptoms.