Definition-
Inflammation of nasal mucosa because of allergen
Causes-
1. Allergen-Pollens, Dust, Animal hair, Feathers of birds, Pollution, Food items (Common Being-Nuts, Milk, Fish, Eggs, Etc)
2. Endocrine/Hormonal-Puberty, Pregnancy, Menopausal.
3. Psychological- Stress, anxiety.
4. Hereditary.
Why does this happen? (Pathophysiology)
Whenever there is any trigger (Above Causes) to susceptible human body then IgE antibodies gets released, and in turn leads to release of inflammatory chemicals (Histamine from mast cells) causing symptoms
What are the symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis?
1. Sneezing.
2. Rhinorrhoea (Discharge from nose)
3. Itchy eyes, ears, nose & palate.
4. Nose block.
5. Anosmia (No smell)
6. Watery/Red/Swollen eyes.
7. Weakness/fatigue/Dullness.
8. Headache.
Investigations-
1. CBC-Increased eosinophilic count
2. IgE antibodies- Increased
3. Skin allergy test/Skin prick test- To know what is the person allergic to
Treatment-
Allergic rhinitis is like all other allergic complaint, where body is responding excessively to some allergen (trigger factor) which goes unnoticed in many others. So, when you are exposed to say – strong perfume, smoke of seasoning or dust you start sneezing as this irritates your nasal mucus membrane and allergic response starts.
Homoeopathy works at the root cause of such disease and this excessive response of immune system which comes in the normal way of functioning is addressed and problem gets sorted out.
There are many remedies which may be useful while treating an acute episode -like Sabadilla, Pulsatilla, Allium cepa, Euphrasia, Rhus Tox, Arsenic Iodatum and many others. Depending on symptom similarity acute medicine is used as SOS (stock medicine) which needs to be used as and when there is acute sneezing episode.
Homoeopathic treatment aims at removal of an allergic tendency at the root level. Acute medicines are given to provide relief from the acute problem and constitutional treatment is given to remove the tendency.
Tendency can be removed by long term constitutional treatment which may require medications for 4-6 months in most cases.