Rhinitis is defined as an inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane characterized by the following symptoms: anterior or posterior rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion, sneezing, and itching. The causes of rhinitis in children are numerous; however, 50 % are reported to be caused by an allergy.
The paper presents the current classification of rhinitides and particular attention is paid to the most common ones -acute infectious rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. The other types of rhinitis, complications, and differential diagnosis of childhood rhinitides are dealt with briefly.