A patient with recurrent seasonal rhinitis should be managed with which first-line treatment?

In cases of recurrent seasonal rhinitis, the first-line treatment is corticosteroid inhalers. These medications are highly effective in managing inflammation associated with allergic rhinitis. They work by reducing nasal inflammation, which alleviates symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and runny nose. Corticosteroids have a fast onset of action and can provide relief during peak allergy seasons when symptoms are likely to be exacerbated.

Immunotherapy, while beneficial for long-term management of allergic rhinitis, is not typically considered a first-line treatment due to the time it takes to become effective and the need for a structured protocol. Decongestants can provide temporary relief from nasal congestion but do not address the underlying inflammation or treat other symptoms effectively. Cromolyn sodium, on the other hand, is a mast cell stabilizer that can help prevent allergy symptoms but is generally less effective than intranasal corticosteroids for immediate symptom control. Therefore, the use of corticosteroid inhalers aligns best with current guidelines for the effective management of recurrent seasonal rhinitis.