Other Treatments
For mild allergic rhinitis, a nasal wash can be helpful for removing mucus from the nose. A saline solution can be purchased at a drug store or made at home. One study reported that neither a homemade solution (using one teaspoon of salt and one pinch of baking soda in a pint of warm water) nor a commercial hypertonic saline nasal wash had any effect on symptoms. Of note, over-the-counter saline nasal sprays that contain benzalkonium chloride as a preservative may actually worsen symptoms and infection.
Some physicians, however, advocate a traditional nasal wash that has been used for centuries and is different from that used in the study. It contains no baking soda and uses more fluid for each dose and less salt. The nasal wash should be performed several times a day.
Simple method for administering a nasal wash is the following:
- Lean over the sink head down.
- Pour some solution into the palm of the hand and inhale it through the nose, one nostril at a time.
- Spit the remaining solution out.
- Gently blow the nose.
The solution may also be inserted into the nose using a large rubber ear syringe, available at a pharmacy. In this case the process is the following:
- Lean over the sink head down.
- Insert only the tip of the syringe into one nostril.
- Gently squeeze the bulb several times to wash the nasal passage.
- Then press the bulb firmly enough so that the solution passes into the mouth.
- The process should be repeated in the other nostril.
Natural Remedies
In one study, nearly half of asthma or allergy sufferers resorted to alternative treatments. To date, however, evidence does not support any value from most alternative therapies, including high-dose vitamins, urine injections, homeopathic remedies, and most herbal remedies. Some relaxation methods, such as massage therapy, may be beneficial in reducing stress related to allergy symptoms. The following are examples of two recent promising areas of research:
- Butterbur (also known as Petasites hybridus, butter dock, blatterdock, bog rhubarb, and exwort) is a plant found in Europe, North American, and parts of Asia. It is a traditional herbal remedy used for seasonal allergies and asthma. In a 2002 study, it was as effective and less sedating than a commonly prescribed antihistamine for treating seasonal allergies over a two week period. More research is needed.
- Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that may help protect against allergies and asthma. Antibiotic over-use and modern hygiene may specifically be reducing these helpful organisms. Probiotics can be obtained in active yogurt cultures and in supplements, which are being studied for protection.
Herbal remedies are not necessarily harmless, particularly if they are effective enough to do so some good.
Warnings On Alternative and So-Called Natural Remedies
Alternative or natural remedies are not regulated and their quality is not publicly controlled. In addition, any substance that can affect the body's chemistry can, like any drug, produce side effects that may be harmful. Even if studies report positive benefits from herbal remedies, the compounds used in such studies are, in most cases, not what are being marketed to the public. There have been a number of reported cases of serious and even lethal side effects from herbal products. In addition, some so-called natural remedies were found to contain standard prescription medication.
The following are special concerns for people with allergic rhinitis:
- Grapeseed extract is sometimes touted as a natural antihistamine. A 2002 study, however, reported no benefits from it.
- A 2002 study found no benefits with homeopathy immunotherapy for asthmatic patients allergic to dust mites.
- Some allergic patients have reported worse symptoms after drinking herbal teas, which may contain leaves or pollens that the patient is sensitive to. In fact herbal remedies themselves can trigger an allergic reaction. For example, echinacea is of special concern. This herbal remedy actually boosts the immune system. People with nasal congestion may mistakenly take it because it is often used to treat colds. In the case of allergies, however, echinacea may worsen symptoms or even trigger them in people who haven't experienced them. People with autoimmune diseases or who have plant allergies should particularly avoid it.
- Aller Relief Chinese herbal cold and allergy contains trace amounts of aristolochic acid, a chemical that is toxic to the kidneys and a carcinogen. Products containing aristolochic acid have been associated with several reports of kidney failure in Europe. Of specific concern are studies suggesting that up to 30% of herbal patent remedies imported from China having been laced with potent pharmaceuticals such as phenacetin and steroids. Most reported problems occurred in herbal remedies imported from Asia, with one study reporting a significant percentage of such remedies containing toxic metals.
- Aromatherapy is now often used for relaxation. It should be strongly noted that some of exotic plant extracts in these formulas have been associated with a wide range of skin allergies.
The following website is building a database of natural remedy brands that it tests and rates. Not all are yet available (www.consumerlab.com). The Food and Drug Administration has a program called MEDWATCH for people to report adverse reactions to untested substances, such as herbal remedies and vitamins (800-332-1088).
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