Alternative treatments and preventive measures for allergic rhinitis

Many people try alternative treatments like:

• Acupuncture: Very thin needles are placed into the skin at specific points on the body.
• Herbs: An approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. A few e.g. are
  • Butterbur (Petasites hybridus, 500 mg per day). Used traditionally to treat asthma and bronchitis and to reduce mucus
  • Tinospora cordifolia
  • Astragalus
  • Biminne – Chinese herbal formula used to treat allergic rhinitis

Other treatments for allergic rhinitis

• Neutralization therapy (symptom-relieving or tolerance therapy): Doses of the substance you are allergic to are placed under your tongue. This is not the same thing as sublingual immunotherapy, in which increasing amounts of the allergen are placed under your tongue. 
• Detoxification: It is a regimen (such as for 30 days) of exercise, forced sweating, niacin (vitamin B), and drinking a mixture of water, salt and polyunsaturated oil. You should avoid alcohol and medicines.
•  Enzyme potentiated therapy: A low dose of an allergen mixed with a very small quantity of a natural body enzyme (beta-glucuronidase) is injected into the skin.
• Biologically based therapies: Natural substances like foods, vitamins and both herbal and nonherbal dietary supplements are sometimes used to treat illness or promote wellness.
• Ayurveda: It believes in three doshas -  vata, pitta and kapha. An imbalance in these results in a disease. Ayurveda has the faith that allergy or Sheetpitta is a condition of pitta. Allergic Rhinitis from an Ayurvedic perspective is because of the toxins present in the body (ama) and due to the low immunity. Ama increases the levels of pitta andkapha in the body, thus giving rise to different symptoms of allergies. Ayurveda considers this as a Kapha-Pittadisorder. Some approaches to get rid of allergic rhinitis are: 
  • Add a slice of ginger, pepper and cardamom while preparing tea
  • Take two spoons of Apple cider vinegar and a bit of honey mixed in a glass of cooled boiled water early in the morning. 
  • Inducing therapeutic vomiting which helps in balancing Kapha. 
  • Taking two tablets of guduchi thrice a day or consuming tea made of camphor, cloves and basil for about two weeks will help in preventing the aggravation of Kapha. 
  • Amrutharishta, Sudarsanasava, Dasamoola kaduthryam qwath, Indukantham qwath, Amruthotharam qwath, Septilin tablet and syrup, etc. are the commonly used medicines.

• Homeopathy: Homeopathic treatment reduces symptoms and improves quality of your life with seasonal allergic rhinitis. It significantly improves your immunity so that you don’t fall prey to allergens frequently. The medication targets your body’s immune system and reduces the hypersensitivity to the allergens. Over a period of time, you react less aggressively to the allergens and gradually the hypersensitivity is cured. Some of the homeopathic medicines for allergic rhinitis are;
  • Nux vomica — for stuffiness with nasal discharge and a lot of sneezing
  • Arsenicum album — for stuffiness with copious, burning nasal discharge and violent sneezing; an appropriate candidate for Arsenicum feels restless, anxious, and exhausted.
  • Allium cepa — for frequent sneezing, a lot of irritating nasal discharge and tearing eyes; this person tends to feel thirsty.
  • Euphrasia — for bland nasal discharge, with stinging, irritating tears; a suitable person for this remedy has worse nasal symptoms when lying down.
  •  Galphimia Glauca and Histaminum Hydrochloride. Cardiospermum Halicacabum and Amni Visnaga,  Allium Cepa , Sabadilla , Arundo Mur, Ambrosia and Aralea are also very effective

What can I expect from the treatment for Allergic Rhinitis? How is the Prognosis for Allergic Rhinitis?

Most symptoms of allergic rhinitis can be treated. More severe cases need allergy shots. Once a substance causes allergies, it usually continues to affect the person over the long term. Some people (especially children) may outgrow an allergy because their immune system becomes less sensitive to the allergen.

What happens if my Allergic Rhinitis is not treated? What are the complications of Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis can affect your quality of life. You may avoid meeting people, have problems sleeping and feel tired or irritable. You may have trouble with school or work. Allergic rhinitis can affect your health also if you do not treat it. Your allergies could trigger a number of health problems, including:

• Sinusitis (sinus infections) -  Allergic rhinitis can block the tubes draining the sinuses, leading to infection of the sinus cavities
• Otitis media -  Plugged ears, pressure or pain in the ears, ear infections
• Asthma – If you have an allergy, you are more likely to develop asthma. If you already have asthma, allergic rhinitis can cause your asthma symptoms to get worse.
• Upper respiratory infections, such as the flu (influenza), are more likely to occur if you have allergic rhinitis
• Dental implication – Children breathe through the mouth for years because their nose is blocked. This can lead to:
  • A high, narrow roof of the mouth (palate)
  • A pinched-looking face
  • Teeth that do not line up correctly when the child closes his or her mouth (malocclusion)

What preventive measures can I take for Allergic Rhinitis?

Best preventive measure is to avoid what causes your allergic symptoms. Though it may be impossible to completely avoid all your triggers, you can often take steps to reduce your exposure to them. You can do this by:

• Controlling dust and dust mites by regular dusting and washing bed sheets in hot water
• Controlling animal dandruff  and other pet allergens by restricting pets to certain areas of your home
• Controlling indoor molds by cleaning bathtubs and showers frequently
• Avoiding outdoor pollens
• Wear a simple mask to avoid exposure to dust
• Maintain low humidity which keeps fungal invasion down
• Treat windows, shower curtains and indoor plants with mild fungicides
• Keep a check on cockroaches and rodents

 Allergic Rhinitis: All you need to know 

Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis