Nasal hyperreactivity. A histamine provocation model.

The aim of the study was to see whether it is possible to select non-allergic persons with hyperreactivity, especially in the nose, from healthy individuals with a histamine standardization test. Another aim was to elucidate whether a so-called priming effect could be present in such a non-allergic disorder. Seven patients with a history of perennial rhinitis, expressed as either or both swelling or discharge from the nose and a negative allergic investigation, were examined on three up to seven consecutive occasions. Rhinostereometry was used to register the reaction in the mucous membrane to a solution of histamine in successively increased concentrations. The results showed a statistically significant difference between this group compared with a control group of healthy volunteers. We could not detect any increase in the sensitivity during repeated provocations.