[Total and specific IgE in allergic rhinitis]. / La IgE total y específica en la rinitis alérgica.

The specific IgE can be accepted in allergic rhinitis as a determinant for the definite diagnosis, as there does not exist a correlation with total IgE, which may be either high or not, probably depending on other factors, amongst which neither the age of the patient nor the season of the year in which the rhinitis is determined are to be included.

[Allergic rhinitis: evaluation of the sensitivity to allergens]. / Rinitis alérgica: valoración de la sensibilidad a los alergenos.

The high incidence of allergic rhinitis in our community allows us to study large groups of the population. We have observed that graminea pollen is the most common allergen, although mites --Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus-- produce the greatest number of cases. The age of appearance or of most acute symptomatology varies depending on the allergen; sensitivity to more than one allergen is most common. The highest incidence is during the months of November, December, April, May and June for domestic dust and mites, whereas December, May and June present the highest incidence for graminea pollen.