What is the primary cause of symptoms related to allergies in the nasal examination?

The primary cause of symptoms related to allergies during a nasal examination is the swelling of the inferior turbinate. When a person is exposed to allergens, such as pollen, dust, or mold, it triggers an inflammatory response in the nasal mucosa. This response leads to the release of histamines and other inflammatory mediators, resulting in nasal congestion and swelling of the inferior turbinate.

The inferior turbinates are structures within the nasal cavity that help regulate airflow and humidify the air we breathe. When they become swollen due to this allergic reaction, they can obstruct the nasal passage, leading to symptoms like nasal congestion, rhinorrhea (runny nose), sneezing, and itching. This is a hallmark of allergic rhinitis, often making the inferior turbinate swelling the most apparent finding during an examination.

Other conditions, such as empyema of the maxillary sinus or hypertrophy of the superior turbinate, may present with nasal symptoms but do not directly result from allergic reactions. Swollen adenoids, while they can contribute to nasal obstruction, are not typically a primary finding associated with allergic responses in the nasal cavity. Thus, the swelling of the inferior turbinate is most characteristic of allergic conditions and is why it is identified as the