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Purpose: The study aims to evaluate the use of face masks on allergic rhinitis symptoms in pollen allergy patients

who were compulsorily using face masks due to the covid-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods: A 15-item questionnaire was developed following the study goals by a team experienced in

allergic rhinitis. Then the records of patients who underwent allergy tests in our hospital between 2013 and 2019

were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty participants with isolated pollen allergy were included in the study. Patients

who agreed to participate in the research answered the questions over the phone.

Results: Of the 50 participants, 30 (60%) were female and 20 (40%) were male, with a mean age of 34.34 ± 9.41

years. While the rate of participants who defined their nasal symptoms as severe-moderate in the pre-pandemic

period was 92% (46 patients), this rate decreased to 56% (28 patients) during the pandemic when they used face

masks. In ocular symptoms, the same rate decreased from 60% (30 patients) to 32% (16 patients). A statistically

significant decrease was found in both nasal and ocular symptoms of patients after mask use (p < 0.001). The

most regression in allergy symptoms was observed in sneezing (p = 0.029) and nasal discharge (p = 0.039).

Conclusions: This study observed that the use of face masks reduced both nasal and ocular allergic rhinitis

symptoms in individuals with pollen allergy. These results support the hypothesis that the use of face masks

would reduce the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms