Environmental allergen exposure in patients with allergic rhinitis in Zhangjiagang: findings from a skin prick test study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify the main allergens causing allergic rhinitis (AR) in Zhangjiagang and analyze their epidemiological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2018 to June 2019, 1684 patients with suspected allergic rhinitis in the outpatient department of the First People's Hospital of Zhangjiagang City were tested with an allergen skin prick test (SPT) and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The overall SPT positive rate was 65.3%. House dust mites (56.2%) and dust mites (56.0%) were the predominant inhalant allergens. Inhalant allergen positivity (59.4%) significantly exceeded ingested allergens (3.4%). The positive rate of inhalation allergens was significantly higher than that of ingestion allergens (χ2=1224.83, p0.05). Positivity rates declined with age. Seasonally, autumn showed the highest positivity (74.0%), followed by winter (69.3%), summer (64.6%), and spring (54.7%). Specific allergens like birch, willow, rapeseed, Chinese parasol, and ragweed peaked in autumn, while Alternaria alternata peaked in summer, and cockroach was higher in autumn/winter. CONSLUSION: House dust mites (56.2%) and dust mites (56.0%) are the predominant allergens triggering allergic rhinitis in Zhangjiagang's humid subtropical climate, with inhalant allergens (59.4%) significantly exceeding ingested allergens (3.4%). The distinct age-related decline in allergen positivity, higher cockroach sensitization in males compared to females, and seasonal variation with peak positivity in autumn (74.0%) collectively inform tailored prevention strategies and region-specific immunotherapy protocols for allergic rhinitis management in this region.