Rhinitis, which occurs most commonly as allergic rhinitis, is an inflammation of the nasal membranes that is characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and rhinorrhea, in any combination. Although allergic rhinitis itself is not life-threatening (unless accompanied by severe asthma or anaphylaxis), morbidity from the condition can be significant.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis include the following:
• Sneezing
• Itching: Nose, eyes, ears, palate
• Rhinorrhea
• Postnasal drip
• Congestion
• Anosmia
• Headache
• Earache
• Tearing
• Red eyes
• Eye swelling
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Malaise
Complications of this allergic rhinitis include the following:
• Acute or chronic sinusitis
• Otitis media
• Sleep disturbance or apnea
• Dental problems (overbite): Caused by excessive breathing through the mouth
• Palatal abnormalities
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
Physical examination
Nasal features of allergic rhinitis can include the following:
• Nasal crease: A horizontal crease across the lower half of the bridge of the nose; caused by repeated upward rubbing of the tip of the nose by the palm of the hand
• Thin, watery nasal secretions
• Deviation or perforation of the nasal septum: May be associated with chronic rhinitis, although there can be other, unrelated causes
Manifestations of allergic rhinitis affecting the ears, eyes, and oropharynx include the following:
• Ears: Retraction and abnormal flexibility of the tympanic membrane
• Eyes: Injection and swelling of the palpebral conjunctivae, with excess tear production; Dennie-Morgan lines (prominent creases below the inferior eyelid); and dark circles around the eyes (“allergic shiners”), which are related to vasodilation or nasal congestion
• Oropharynx: "Cobblestoning," that is, streaks of lymphoid tissue on the posterior pharynx; tonsillar hypertrophy; and malocclusion (overbite) and a high-arched palate
Diagnosis
Laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis include the following:
• Allergy skin tests (immediate hypersensitivity testing): An in vivo method of determining immediate (IgE-mediated) hypersensitivity to specific allergens
• Radioallergosorbent test (RAST): Indirectly measures the quantity of immunoglobulin E (IgE) serving as an antibody to a particular antigen
• Total serum IgE: Neither sensitive nor specific for allergic rhinitis, but the results can be helpful in some cases when combined with other factors
• Total blood eosinophil count: Neither sensitive nor specific for the diagnosis, but, as with total serum IgE, can sometimes be helpful when combined with other factors
Imaging studies used in the diagnosis and evaluation of allergic rhinitis include the following:
• Radiography: Can be helpful for evaluating possible structural abnormalities or to help detect complications or comorbid conditions, such as sinusitis or adenoid hypertrophy
• Computed tomography scanning: Can be very helpful for evaluating acute or chronic sinusitis
• Magnetic resonance imaging: Also can be helpful for evaluating sinusitis.
Management
The management of allergic rhinitis consists of the following 3 major treatment strategies:
• Environmental control measures and allergen avoidance: These include keeping exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and mold to a minimum
• Pharmacologic management: Patients are often successfully treated with oral antihistamines, decongestants, or both; regular use of an intranasal steroid spray may be more appropriate for patients with chronic symptoms
• Immunotherapy: This treatment may be considered more strongly with severe disease, poor response to other management options, and the presence of comorbid conditions or complications; immunotherapy is often combined with pharmacotherapy and environmental control
Homoeopathic Management:
Homeopathy is best placed to treat all sorts of allergic disorders. The reason for this is that it does not try to treat the symptoms of the allergies. Instead, it works to root out the cause of these allergies. The root cause in allergies happens to be a hyperactivity of the immune system. This hyperactive immune system goes into an overdrive when it comes in contact with certain things. These things may be harmless in themselves. But the immune system tends to look at them as offenders and tries to react in a defensive manner. It tries to wash them off by producing excess mucous. The homeopathic medicines repair the immune system and the hyperactivity is corrected. Then the body reacts normally to the same things that used to cause the allergies. Here are the 5 best Homeopathic medicines for Allergic Rhinitis or Hay fever as per my experience.
Allium Cepa:
When there is watery discharge from the eyes along with running nose, Allium Cepa is one of the best Homeopathic medicines for Allergic Rhinitis. The watery discharge from the nose is thin and acrid. At the same time, the discharge from the eyes is bland. The eyes become red and are sensitive to light. There is burning in the nose and eyes as from the cutting of onions. This medicine is in fact made from onions and it mimics the symptoms that occur when one cuts onions. The patient feels better in the open air.
Arsenic Album:
In cases where there is intense thirst and the patient feels worse in open air, Arsenic Album is one of the best Homeopathic medicines for Allergic Rhinitis. There is copiuos watery and excoriating discharge from the nose.
Natrum Mur:
In cases where there is a lot of sneezing and in fact, the symptoms start with sneezing only, Natrum Mur does wonders. There is intense dryness of the mouth and the mucous membranes. The discharge from the nose is thin and watery and resmbles the white of an egg.
Merc Sol:
When there is increased sensitivity to both heat and cold and the patient cannot tolerate either, Merc Sol is very effective. There is a lot of sneezing and watery discharge from the nose. The patient is worse even in damp or wet weather.