The problem with allergies such as Hay fever and Allergic Rhinitis is that it is considered to be a trivial and inconsequential disease. Symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes and nose with sneezing and blockage are obviously not life threatening, but affect up to 25% of the population and are the cause of significant disability and cost to society. Patients may also experience fatigue, irritability, as well as mood, cognitive and sleep disturbance in addition to the nasal, ocular and throat symptoms. Allergic rhinitis has important co-morbid associations such as chronic sinusitis, glue ear, asthma exacerbations, nasal polyps, sleep apnoea and dental malocclusion.

Chronic Allergic Rhinitis sufferers often have typical facial features called the "allergy face". Nasal blockage and sinus congestion predispose to the bluish discolouration of the lower eyelids called "allergic shiners", the characteristic linear creases under the eyelid are referred to as "Dennes lines". Constant nasal rubbing typifies the "allergic salute" and results in a prominent "nasal crease" across the nose. Continuous nasal blockage causes "nasal" speech and mouth breathing with disturbed sleep. This results in a high arched palate and the "long face syndrome" with dental crowding and malocclusion ("Buck teeth").