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Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is allergic reaction to allergens in the environment such as pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites.

What Is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is allergic reaction to allergens in the environment such as pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites. Exposure to these allergens triggers histamine release that can lead to AR.

Symptoms of Hay Fever

  • Sneezing
  • Nasal congestion
  • Nasal itching
  • Mucosal edema
  • Coughing
  • Rhinorrhea (runny nose)
  • Irritation of throat
  • Itchy and red eyes

Treatments

  • Remove allergens from environment
  • Improve gut health which can help modulate immune response. Studies have shown that patients with Allergic Rhinitis have different gut microbiota compare to healthy individuals, this emphasizes the importance of healthy gut in immune system regulation. 
  • Anti-histamine nutraceuticals such as Quercetin and nettle: reduces histamine release from mast cells

Differential Diagnosis of Allergic Rhinitis in Chinese Medicine (CM):

  • According to CM wind cold (external factors e.g allergens) attack the lung which turns into heat damaging the smooth movement of Qi. TCM herbalist make appropriate herbal formula according to pattern presented in patients.

    • Wind cold attacks the lung
    • Wind heat attacks the lung
    • Liver and Gallbladder heat
    • Lung heat
    • Spleen heat

Acupuncture and AR:

  • A systematic review of thirty trials with 4413 participants concluded that Acupuncture improved the nasal symptoms on Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) and quality of life measured by Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) in adults with AR, compared to acupuncture with no intervention.

    Chinese Herbal Medicine and AR:

    It has been determined that traditional Chinese herbal compounds and potent active substances may successfully treat AR, it is considered that TCM could maintain a healthy balance between inflammatory interactions and suppress oxidative stress.

    •  Xingbi gel nasal drop can dredge the airflow, clear heat, and pass the orifice
    • Chai Hu (Bupleurum falcatum) contains an active ingredient (saikosaponin A) which can decrease allergic inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
    • Dan shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge’s roots) contain an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory substance called tanshinone IIA which can lower histamine release.
    • Gan cao (licorice root) inhibits histamine induced allergic response.
    • Huang qi lowers the inflammatory response of histamine release.
    • Huang qin limits the inflammatory response of mast cell activation.
    • Xiaoqinglong decoction used for acute nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea and sneezing, and reduces allergic associated inflammation.
    • Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction has anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effects by suppressing the synthesis of interferon gamma and interleukin (IL)-4, as well as the mediator release from mast cells and macrophages.
    • Huang lian contain Coptisine which prevents mast cell activation.
    • Yupingfeng San: Anti-inflammatory and it activates body’s anti-oxidant defense.
    • Guizhi Decoction affects rhinitis effectiveness via numerous components, several targets, and different pathways
    • Cang Er zi anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-hyperglycemic characteristics, it can control the proliferation of T lymphocytes in epithelial cells.
    • Curcumin decreased allergy-related symptoms such as sneezing, frequent nose rubbing, lacrimation, and nasal congestion in a guinea pig model of induced allergic rhinitis. It also decreased inflammatory cell infiltration of the nasal mucosa. It also reduced the inflammatory response to dust mite.
    • Xin Yi Hua has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities.