Allergic Rhinitis

• Introduction
• Research
• TCM Clinical Trials

Introduction

The burden of rhinitis is nothing to sneeze at! Billions of dollars are spent annually on prescribed antihistamines. Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of this condition has risen dramatically in industrialized countries, with England, Sweden and Australia reporting a doubling in rate. This is a trend similar to that which is witnessed of other allergic conditions such as eczema and asthma. While this disease is not life-threatening, it is definitely life-altering and if left uncontrolled, allergic rhinitis can seriously impair a person’s quality of life. Research shows that allergic rhinitis interferes with a person’s ability to learn and perform tasks and results in millions of lost days of school or work every year. Depending on the individual, allergy season will begin in the early spring and last through to the first major frost of autumn. This means depending on where you live in England, you could suffer with allergies from March to November on an annual basis.

Allergic rhinitis literally means "allergic nose inflammation": rhino means "to do with the nose" and the ending “-itis” simply refers to inflammation. Allergic rhinitis is further defined as an inflammation of the nasal mucosa which is triggered by an allergic reaction. People with a family history of allergies are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis, particularly those individuals with other atopic (allergy–related) conditions, such as eczema and asthma. The onset of allergic rhinitis is common in childhood, adolescence, and the early adult years. Though the average age of allergic rhinitis onset is 8-11 years, allergic rhinitis may occur at any age. In 80% of cases, allergic rhinitis develops by 20 years of age. Allergic rhinitis occurs in all races and is likely in both genders (but more common in boys during childhood).

Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis

• itching of the nose, mouth/palate, eyes, throat, skin, or ears
• clear runny nose (rhinitis)
• impaired sense of smell
• sneezing, may be frequent, prolonged and violent
• nasal congestion
• increased tearing
• post-nasal drip
• wheezing
• persistent cough, often rattling
• sore throat
• crease across the top of the nose
• dark circles under eyes
• oedematous nasal mucosa

There are two categories of allergic rhinitis, seasonal and perennial. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is commonly known as "hay fever”. Despite its name, hay fever is almost never caused by hay and this medical condition does not cause an elevation in body temperature. The term ‘hay fever’ originated in England in the early 1800’s when doctors noticed that some rural residents experienced sneezing, itchy eyes and coughing after being exposed to cut hay or grass. This condition was also dubbed a "fever" because it caused nervousness and this is one of the old English definitions of fever.

Concerning (SAR) seasonal allergic rhinitis, an allergen (something that triggers an allergy) initiates symptoms around the same time each year. Spring attacks are usually due to tree pollen, while grass pollens dominate in the summer and weed pollens in the autumn. Most people with allergic rhinitis are sensitive to more than one allergen. On the other hand, perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) occurs year-round. This condition is most common in people with allergies to allergens that are present all year. Naturally, people who are allergic to house dust mites or to their own pets tend to suffer regardless of the season.

TCM and Rhinitis

As a result of modern medicine’s inability to provide an effective long-term treatment for allergic rhinitis, many sufferers with this particular ailment seek assistance from doctors of Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM offers an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis by providing both immediate and lasting results. Most TCM doctors use Chinese Herbal Medicine when treating allergic rhinitis. These herbal prescriptions that are used have the ability to simultaneously addresses the acute symptoms of allergic rhinitis as well as strengthen the individual’s immune system. Ultimately, this approach to treating allergic rhinitis achieves effective results, often in a short period of time. In stubborn or severe cases, acupuncture and/or external herbal nose drops may be useful for symptomatic relief.

Success Stories

Sachin

I was concerned about using modern medicine for my 8 year old son’s allergies which included teary, itchy eyes and constant sneezing. My son also had eczema. After taking Chinese herbal medicine, 90% of my son’s symptoms were eliminated. Sachin was able to enjoy his summer instead of suffering through it.

Kevin

I took my son to see a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor for his severe allergies because the medication (prescription eye drops, reactin and prescription nose spray) were not very effective in relieving his allergy symptoms. I was happy to find a TCM doctor who specialized in treating children and who was able to communicate effectively with my son and I (unlike the Chinese speaking doctors we had saw in the past). With this doctor’s treatment my son’s allergy symptoms were reduced within a week, and he stopped using any prescription medication within two weeks.


Research

See “Allergies” under the category of Other Topics


TCM Clinical Trials

Study 1

From 1988-1995, the authors treated 100 patients suffering from allergic rhinitis with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang Jia Wei (Supplement the Center & Boost the Qi Decoction with Added Flavors) with good success. Findings were reported in the medical journal, New Chinese Medicine (1995). The patients were between 13 and 58 years old with most cases falling between 16-40. The disease course had lasted for less than 1 year in 17 cases, for 1-10 years in 77 cases, and for more than 10 years in 6 cases. The clinical manifestations were recurrent sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and nasal itching. Examination of the nasal mucosa revealed that they were edematous, colored a somber white or an ashen grey and that there was usually a great amount of clear, watery snivel. Using the above formula, 62 cases were cured (i.e disappearance of symptoms and did not reoccur for at least one year) and 30 cases showed some improvement. Thus the total effectiveness rate was 92%.

Study 2

There were 42 people included in this study that appeared in the Chinese medical journal Jilin Journal of Chinese Medicine and Medicinals (1993). The patients ranged in age from 19 to 62 years old. Those included in the study had suffered from allergic rhinitis for as short as 4 months and as long as 10 years. Runny nose, itchy nose, and sneezing were the main symptoms. Examination revealed that the nasal mucosa were either an ashen white or purplish sooty color, the nasal shell was edematous, and the nasal cavity was producing a flowing secretion. Examination of the nasal secretions were positive for eosinophilia. The formula used in this research study were Si Wu Tang Jia Wei (Four Materials Decoction with Added Flavors). The formula was modified based on the patient’s clinical presentation. One package of medicine was decocted per day with 15 days equaling 1 course of treatment. Two to 4 courses of treatment were given with a follow-up survey conducted 1 year after treatment. Twenty-three patients were completely cured and thirteen cases had improvement. Therefore, the total effectiveness rate was 85.7%.

Study 3

From January 1991 to July 1993, the authors treated 65 cases of allergic rhinitis with modified Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) with very good results. The findings of this study were published in 1995 in the Henan Journal of Chinese Medicine. They began with a group of 130 patients and divided them equally into treatment and comparison groups. In the treatment group, each patient was prescribed the herbal formula Jia Jian Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Modifications were made based on the clinical presentation of the patients. This was continued for 4 weeks. The comparison group was given 4mg of chlorpheniramine 3 time each day. At the same time, both groups used benadryl liquid nose drops.

Effectiveness was based on subjective changes in sneezing, runny nose, and nasal obstruction as well as on objective changes in the nasal mucosa. Of the treatment group, 34 cases experienced marked effect, 25 some effect, and 6 had no effect. Thus the total effectiveness of this protocol in the treatment group was 90.8%. Fifty-nine of these patients were followed up after two years and only seven of these had a recurrence. In the comparison group, 29 experienced marked effect, 21 some effect, and 15 no effect for a total effectiveness rate of 76.9%. Fifty of these patients were followed up after 2 years and 16 cases or 32% had relapses. Thus there was a marked statistical difference between these two groups in terms of the effectiveness of protocols and also their relapse rates in favor of the treatment group.