Inhalant allergy (airway allergy) | De KNO Praktijk Nijmegen

A runny or blocked nose, sneezing, itchy eyes or a cough that won't go away? This can point to an allergy to, for example, house dust mites, pollen or pets.…

De KNO Praktijk Nijmegen ENT care Throat & voice Coughing Lump in the throat Swallowing difficulties Tonsillitis Voice complaints Nose & sinuses Loss of smell Nasal congestion Nasal polyps Sinusitis Ears & hearing Ear infection Earache Earwax Hearing loss Tinnitus Focus areas Allergy Sleep & snoring The practice For referrers Contact Request a referral NL EN DE Home / ENT care / Allergy Allergy Inhalant allergy (airway allergy) A runny or blocked nose, sneezing, itchy eyes or a cough that won't go away? This can point to an allergy to, for example, house dust mites, pollen or pets. We find out exactly what you're allergic to and discuss which treatment helps. Request a referral Treatment options On this page The complaint in brief Recognisable symptoms The skin prick test Treatment options What to expect Frequently asked questions The complaint in brief An exaggerated reaction to harmless substances Allergy is an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to substances that are normally harmless: allergens such as house dust mites, grass pollen, tree pollen or pet hair. With an inhalant allergy (airway allergy), the inhaled substances cause a reaction in the eye, nose or lungs. Allergy is becoming more common, and its impact on daily life is often underestimated — people sometimes live with symptoms for years before the cause becomes clear. Persistent nose or eye complaints, coughing or shortness of breath without a clear explanation are reason to have it assessed to find out what you're allergic to. Your GP can refer you to us. Recognisable symptoms Do you recognise this? These complaints often occur together with an inhalant allergy, though you need not have every one of them. Nasal complaints A runny nose, a blocked nose and sneezing. Itching An itchy nose and itchy eyes. Eye complaints Red eyes and watery eyes. Coughing Persistent or recurring cough. Shortness of breath Breathlessness on exertion or exposure. Wheezing A wheezing or whistling sound while breathing. The skin prick test Finding out what you're allergic to With a skin prick test we can test an extensive range of allergens. The test is quick and barely uncomfortable. 01 · Preparation Bare forearm The nurse asks you to bare your forearm; numbers are marked on the skin. 02 · The test One drop per allergen At each number a drop of liquid is applied and lightly pricked with a small needle — barely noticeable. 03 · The result After about fifteen minutes We look at the result together: swelling, itching and/or redness under a drop points to an allergy to that substance. Treatment options The treatment that suits you Depending on the severity of your complaints, whether the allergen can be avoided and your age, we discuss together what suits you best. For mild complaints Nasal spray A nasal spray can often provide enough relief for nasal complaints caused by allergy. For multiple complaints Antihistamine tablets Tablets that suppress the allergic reaction, for example for complaints affecting both nose and eyes. For lasting effect Immunotherapy For a number of allergies, immunotherapy can be used to try to get rid of the complaints permanently. The ENT specialist discusses whether this is an option for you. What to expect How your care unfolds Your GP refers you; we schedule a first conversation about your symptoms. We test an extensive range of allergens and review the result together with you. We discuss what you're allergic to and choose a suitable treatment together. You start the treatment; we keep monitoring and adjusting the effect with you. Who treats you One dedicated ENT specialist throughout your care You are supported personally, from skin prick test through to treatment. dr. Anne-Martine de Heer ENT specialist BIG 19066557501 Frequently asked questions Frequently asked questions {{ f.q }} {{ f.sign }} {{ f.a }} Make an appointment Ready to find out what you're allergic to? For an appointment at De KNO Praktijk Nijmegen you need a referral from your GP. Discuss your symptoms with your GP; they assess whether a referral for allergy testing is needed. With the referral, you contact us and we schedule your consultation. Get in touch Information for referrers How to arrange a referral Discuss your symptoms with your GP Your GP assesses whether a referral is needed Get in touch to schedule your consultation De KNO Praktijk Nijmegen Personal, specialist care in Nijmegen and the surrounding area. Feedback & complaints Privacy notice © 2026 De KNO Praktijk Nijmegen · KvK 68663137 · AGB 22221372
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Allergy

Inhalant allergy (airway allergy)

A runny or blocked nose, sneezing, itchy eyes or a cough that won't go away? This can point to an allergy to, for example, house dust mites, pollen or pets. We find out exactly what you're allergic to and discuss which treatment helps.

Request a referral Treatment options
The complaint in brief

An exaggerated reaction to harmless substances

Allergy is an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to substances that are normally harmless: allergens such as house dust mites, grass pollen, tree pollen or pet hair.

With an inhalant allergy (airway allergy), the inhaled substances cause a reaction in the eye, nose or lungs. Allergy is becoming more common, and its impact on daily life is often underestimated — people sometimes live with symptoms for years before the cause becomes clear.

Persistent nose or eye complaints, coughing or shortness of breath without a clear explanation are reason to have it assessed to find out what you're allergic to. Your GP can refer you to us.
Recognisable symptoms

Do you recognise this?

These complaints often occur together with an inhalant allergy, though you need not have every one of them.

Nasal complaints

A runny nose, a blocked nose and sneezing.

Itching

An itchy nose and itchy eyes.

Eye complaints

Red eyes and watery eyes.

Coughing

Persistent or recurring cough.

Shortness of breath

Breathlessness on exertion or exposure.

Wheezing

A wheezing or whistling sound while breathing.

The skin prick test

Finding out what you're allergic to

With a skin prick test we can test an extensive range of allergens. The test is quick and barely uncomfortable.

Skin prick test on the forearm
01 · Preparation

Bare forearm

The nurse asks you to bare your forearm; numbers are marked on the skin.
02 · The test

One drop per allergen

At each number a drop of liquid is applied and lightly pricked with a small needle — barely noticeable.
03 · The result

After about fifteen minutes

We look at the result together: swelling, itching and/or redness under a drop points to an allergy to that substance.
Treatment options

The treatment that suits you

Depending on the severity of your complaints, whether the allergen can be avoided and your age, we discuss together what suits you best.

For mild complaints

Nasal spray

A nasal spray can often provide enough relief for nasal complaints caused by allergy.

For multiple complaints

Antihistamine tablets

Tablets that suppress the allergic reaction, for example for complaints affecting both nose and eyes.

For lasting effect

Immunotherapy

For a number of allergies, immunotherapy can be used to try to get rid of the complaints permanently. The ENT specialist discusses whether this is an option for you.

What to expect

How your care unfolds

Your GP refers you; we schedule a first conversation about your symptoms. We test an extensive range of allergens and review the result together with you. We discuss what you're allergic to and choose a suitable treatment together. You start the treatment; we keep monitoring and adjusting the effect with you.
Who treats you

One dedicated ENT specialist throughout your care

You are supported personally, from skin prick test through to treatment.

dr. Anne-Martine de HeerENT specialist
BIG 19066557501
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

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Make an appointment

Ready to find out what you're allergic to?

For an appointment at De KNO Praktijk Nijmegen you need a referral from your GP. Discuss your symptoms with your GP; they assess whether a referral for allergy testing is needed. With the referral, you contact us and we schedule your consultation.

Get in touch Information for referrers
How to arrange a referral
    Discuss your symptoms with your GP Your GP assesses whether a referral is needed Get in touch to schedule your consultation