Nasal mucosa temperature as a marker of disease in children with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced after allergen exposure by an IgE-mediated inflammation of the nasal mucosa. This study was designed to investigate the role of nasal mucosa temperature in AR. METHODS: We investigated the relationship between eosinophilic infiltration, nasal obstruction, and nasal mucosa temperature in 35 children with rhinitis aged 6-12 years. RESULTS: A significant relationship was shown between nasal temperature values and eosinophil infiltration at nasal cytology (p < 0.01). Nasal temperature was also significantly associated with nasal obstruction, assessed in terms of nasal volume (Vol [2-5 cm]; p < 0.05) and minimum cross-sectional area (p < 0.01). No significant correlation emerged between the degree of nasal obstruction and presence of eosinophils at nasal cytology (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest a relationship between nasal temperature and nasal mucosa inflammation and obstruction.