Abstract: 【Objective】 This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of local allergic rhinitis (LAR) in Chinese patients from South China. 【Methods】 A total of 63 patients who met our inclusion criteria were selected out of the patients who were diagnosed with rhinitis in our clinic and included in this study. Clinical questionnaires were used to evaluate the persistence and severity of the patients’ symptoms. The patients’ serum and nasal secretion samples were both tested for allergen specific IgE (sIgE) against four aeroallergens

respectively

including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus

Dermatophagoides farinae

pollen and mold. 【Results】 The percentages of local allergic rhinitis were 14.3%. LAR had significantly higher itching symptom score (P = 0.011) and TOSS (P = 0.008) than NAR. LAR patients had the similar clinical characteristics with those of AR patients

except that grass pollen was the main sensitizing aeroallergen in LAR. Additionally

a significant lower sIgE level in nasal secretion was observed in LAR patients compared with AR patients (P = 0.003). 【Conclusion】 Local allergic rhinitis (LAR) was diagnosed in one seventh of the rhinitis patients in our study. Itching symptom score and TOSS were much higher in LAR group than in NAR group. Therefore

they may be a useful tool to differentiate LAR from NAR. In order not to neglect the existence of LAR

rhinitis patients without systemic atopy should be examined for nasal and ocular symptom scores and tested for local sIgE

especially against pollen

both at initial and follow-up examinations.