Nasal allergy or allergic rhinitis or hay fever can be defined as inflammation in the nose occurring when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. Allergen can be dust, animal dander, or pollen. This condition is characterized by a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, red, itchy, and watery eyes, and swelling around the eyes. In this condition, there are various symptoms that affect the nose.
Causes of nasal allergy
Heredity: Family history is a very important factor in nasal allergy.
- Sometimes emotion and anxiety are also associated with nasal allergy.
- Nasal allergy is more common during puberty, pregnancy, and menopausal period.
- Temperature variation and seasonal changes may also result in allergy.
- Inhalants like pollens, smokes and dust, house dust, powders, tobacco smoke, animal excreta.
- Foods like eggs, crabs, prawns, brinjals, pineapples, milk products nuts may cause allergies.
- Bacterial infections may cause nasal allergy.
- Certain drugs like aspirin, iodide, and antibiotics can cause allergies.
Symptoms of Nasal Allergy
It may be seasonal, such as “hay fever” or non-seasonal.
There are bouts of sneezing followed by a discharge that is clear watery, and profuse in amount.
This is followed by nasal obstruction which is often alternation in character. Nasal irrigation is common.
- Anosmia occurs which is a complete loss of smell, maybe also seen.
- There is the heaviness of the head and a headache may occur is present.
- There may be associated with irritation and congestion of eyes, respiratory distress can be seen.
At some times some external protrusion may be seen which is called nasal polyps may be also seen.
The nasal mucosa is edematous, which is pale-grey, and there is swelling that may be also seen.
Diagnosis
- Rhinoscopy is an examination of either the anterior part (front) or the posterior part of the nose (back part of the nose) using a nasal speculum( which is a special tool.
- Blood count
- Allergic test which includes tests like-
- Skin test for allergens.
- Food test and nasal challenge test for allergies.
Medicinal management using Homeopathic Medicines
1- Allium cepa
The characteristic symptom of this remedy is acrid nasal discharge and laryngeal symptoms and eye secretions bland. It is best suited for those patients who are lazy, have fine thread neuralgic pains. There is burning of the nose, mouth, throat, bladder, and skin. There is sneezing especially when entering a warm room. There is copious, watery, and extremely acrid discharge. There is the sensation of a lump at the root of the nose. It is a very good remedy for hay fever. There is fluent coryza with headache, cough, and hoarseness. It is a very good remedy for the nasal polyp. Along with these symptoms, there is redness and burning of eyes, with great sensitiveness to light. Profuse bland discharge from eyes which is better in the open air.
Worse -In the evening, in a warm room.
Better-in open air, and cold room.
Dosage: Take in 30 C potency. 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
2- Kali chromium
It affects mainly the mucous membrane of the air passages, stomach bones, and fibrous tissues. It is a very good remedy for snuffles of children, especially fat chubby babies. There are pressure and pain at the root of the nose, sticking pain in the nose. There is a fetid smell. There is thick, ropy, greenish-yellow discharge from the nose. There is a loss of smell. There is the inability to breathe through the nose. There is dryness. Coryza with obstruction of the nose. There is violent sneezing. There is profuse watery nasal discharge.
Worse -Beer, morning, hot weather, undressing.
Better- Heat.
Dosage: Take in 200 potencies. 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
3- Hepar sulph
There is an ulcer in the nose with a feeling of soreness of the nostrils with catarrh. The patient sneezes every time he is exposed to cold, dry wind, with the running of the nose with tick offensive discharge. Their nose stopped up every time he goes out into cold air. Nose smell, like old cheese. It is a very good remedy for hay fever.
Worse -Dry cold weather, cool air, slightest draught, from touch, lying on the painful side.
Better- in damp weather, form wrapping up the head, from warmth, after eating.
Dosage: Take in 200 potencies. 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.
4- Eupharsia
This drug affects mainly on mucous membrane especially of the nose and eyes and produces acrid discharge from the eyes and bland nasal coryza. There is a catarrhal conjunctivitis. There is watering from eyes water all the time. Discharge thick and excoriating. There is burning and swelling of the lids. There is the free discharge of acrid, matter. There is sticky mucus on the cornea, must wink to remove it. It is important to remedy glaucoma if there is pressure in the eyes. There’s profuse and fluent coryza with violent cough and abundant expectoration. There is profuse fluent coryza in the morning. with cough and expectoration.
Worse -In the evening, indoors, warmth, light.
Better-coffee, in the dark.
Dosage: 3 pellets taken at one time and repeated 1 to 3 times a day for relief of symptoms. Gradually use with less frequency as improvement is made.
5- Sulphur
There is stuffiness of noise indoors. There are imaginary foul smells. Their nose is red and scabby. There is a chronic dry nose with dry scabs and readily bleeding. It is a very good remedy for polyps. It is suited for people who dislike water have dry and hard hair and skin, sinking feeling in the stomach around 11 a. m.
Worse -at rest, when standing, the warmth of the bed, washing, bathing, in the morning, 11 am, night. Better- dry warm weather, lying on the right side, from drawing up the affected limbs.
Dosage: Take in 200 potencies. 3 pellets 3 times a day with less frequency as improvement is made.