ABSTRACT
The incidence of allergic rhinitis in the Thai population was surveyed in two province, Nan in the North and Khonkean in the North-East Thailand. Histories were taken from all subjects and ENT examinations and allergy skin prick tests to six common aeroallergens were made. Total IgE in serum was also assayed in some. Altogether 649 subjects were included on our survey, 338 were children and 311 were adults. Positive skin prick tests to at least 2 allergens and a history of persistent rhinitis or of other allergic symptoms were considered as criteria to identify atopic persons. According to the above criteria, 134 or 20.68% of them had allergies. The incidence of allergic rhinitis in children and in adults was not much different (20.61% in children and 22.78% in adults). These figures are similar to figures reported from other countries. This has confirmed the general belief that alleries are common world-wide. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Bangkok is now being surveyed in order to study the effect of air pollution. This will be reported in the future.