Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is the most common cause of this condition, and perhaps any patient with sneezing as the chief complaint needs to have this excluded first. Other conditions, however, may present with sneezing, and the clinician needs to be able to recall these while examining the patient. The mnemonic MINT forms a good method for recalling these conditions. M—Malformations include a deviated septum, a cleft palate that allows food to enter the nose, and large tonsils and adenoids. I—Inflammation suggests pertussis, acute viral influenza, the common cold, chronic rhinitis, measles, and other upper respiratory infections. The I also suggests immunologic disorders; allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma head the list. N—Neoplasms suggest nasal polyps and carcinomas of the nasopharynx. T—Toxic disorders suggest reactions to substances such as pepper, tear gas, phosphine, chlorine, and iodine compounds.
The workup of sneezing involves a careful ear, nose, and throat (ENT) examination to exclude the presence of foreign bodies, polyps, and malformations. The typical mucoid bluish mucosa of allergic rhinitis may be spotted. A nasal smear for eosinophils or serum immunoglobulin E (.9pt IgE) level will clinch the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, and skin testing or a radioallergosorbent test (RAST) can be performed, although a good allergy history may be more important.
Review other book chapters online related to ACHOO:
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
|
More About This Book:
Title: Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care Authors: R. Douglas Collins MD, FACP Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Copyright: 2007 ISBN: 0-7817-6812-8 
|
|
What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Search Specialists by State and City
By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.
Copyright © 2009 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved.
