Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2022 Oct;10(4):189-194. 10.4168/aard.2022.10.4.189.

Smoking exposure and allergic rhinitis in children and adolescents

• Choi BS
• Kim HH
• Kim HB
• Rha YH
• Park Y
• Sung M
• Shin YH
• Yum HY
• Lee KS
• Lee YJ
• Chun YH
• Jee HM
• Kim M
• Park YM
• Choi SH
• the Rhinitis Study Group in the Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Diseases

• KMID: 2534605
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2022.10.4.189

Abstract

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children and adolescents is constantly increasing. However, few studies exist on the relationship between smoking and allergic rhinitis. In addition to conventional cigarettes, electronic and heated cigarettes have recently been introduced, which have several harmful effects. It is hypothesized that smoking and rhinitis are correlated; however, this relationship is complex. Previous studies reported that exposure to smoking during pregnancy is associated with allergic rhinitis development. Unlike the varied results reported in adults, studies on children and adolescents have often correlated direct/indirect smoke with allergic rhinitis, with prolonged exposure being associated with a higher risk of allergic rhinitis, particularly when exposed at an early age. Nonallergic inflammatory reactions and immunoglobulin E-mediated allergic sensitization are assumed to be the underlying mechanisms for the association between allergic rhinitis and smoking. Measures to reduce smoking are warranted to lower the incidence of allergic rhinitis in children and adolescents and to improve their health.

Keyword

Allergic rhinitis; Tobacco smoking; Child