[The management of allergic rhinitis (author's transl)].

The diagnosis of allergic rhinitis varies in difficulty and is based upon evaluation of all information provided essentially by clinical examination and skin test, it being essential that responses to the latter should be not only local but focal in order to be valid. With regard to laboratory examinations, in particular measurement of IgE, they offer significant confirmation in difficult cases. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems differ according to whether the problem is one of seasonal rhinitis, aperiodic rhinitis, longstanding rhinitis and forms in the child. The secret of complete cure of allergic rhinitis remains to be found. The multitude of clinical types is such that no single form of therapy may be proposed. Amongst the many solutions offered, treatment carried out by the oto-rhino-laryngologist may be effective, but an essential rule is to be satisfied with fulfilling the desires of the patient without seeking to exceed them.