Seasonal variation of sensitivity of nasal mucosa in pollinosis.

The purpose of the present paper is to examine whether hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa observed in nasal allergy is cause or result of allergic reaction using the subjects with pollinosis in which the exposure period can be clearly distinguished. Subjects are 30 cases of Japanese cedar pollinosis and orchard grass pollinosis and 25 normal controls. Inferior turbinate of unilateral nasal cavity was stimulated by a piece of filter paper soaked with 0.02 ml of 0.1% and 0.5% histamine hydrochloride. Frequency of sneezing and amount of nasal secretion were measured quantatively and were compared among the subjects with pollinosis in season, off season, and normal controls. In subjects with pollinosis when stimulated with extrinsic histamine, frequency of sneezing and amount of nasal secretion were markedly enhanced in season, but during off season no apparent difference was observed compared with normal subjects. Relationship between frequency of sneezing and amount of nasal secretion indicated positive correlation (alpha less than 0.01). Positive correlation was also observed in amount of nasal secretion in ipsilateral and contralateral nasal cavity when unilateral nasal cavity was stimulated with histamine (alpha less than 0.01). Hyperrhinorrhea was closely related with hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa. The present study showed that hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa characteristic of nasal allergy is nonspecific and that it is largely a result of antigen antibody reaction, which in turn works in causing exaggeration of the allergic symptoms and allergic reaction through vicious cycle.