Description

• It is an IgE-mediated immunologic response of nasal mucosa to airborne allergens and is characterized by watery nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, sneezing, and itching in the nose

Types

Symptoms

There is no age or sex predilection, It may start in infants as young as 6 months or older people

• Paroxysmal Sneezing 10-20 sneezes at a time
• Nasal obstruction
• Watery nasal discharge 
• Itching in the nose
• Itching may also involve eyes, palate, or pharynx
• Bronchospasm

Nasal signs

Allergic salute 

• A black line across the middle of the dorsum of the nose due to constant upward rubbing of nose simulating a salute 

Allergic nasal crease Ocular signs 

• Oedema of lids
• Congestion and cobblestone appearance of the conjunctiva
• Allergic shiners - dark circles under the eyes

Otologic signs 

• Retracted tympanic membrane or serous otitis media as a result of eustachian tube blockage

Pharyngeal signs 

• Granular pharyngitis

Laryngeal signs 

• Hoarseness and oedema of the vocal cords

Investigation

• Total and Differential count
• Nasal smear
• Skin tests- to identify the specific allergen
• Radio allegro sorbent test (RAST)

Treatments

• Avoidance of allergens
• Treatment with drugs
• Immunotherapy

Ayurvedic Treatment

• Advice to avoid seetha viharas and aharas

Internal Medicines

• Dashamoola katutraya Kashaya
• Amrutha rajanyadi kashaya
• Ardraka ksheera prayoga
• Surasaasavam
• Punarnavasavam
• Amrutharishtam
• Sireesharishta
• Mukkamukkudadi gutika
• Sudarshanam gutika
• Vilwadi gutika
• Thaleesadi Choorna
• Vyoshadi vataka
• Haridra khandam
• Dashamoola rasayana
• Pippali rasayana
• Agasthya rasayana

Procedures

• Kabala - Triphala kashaya +Trikatu choorna
• Thala - Rasnadi
• Dhoopana - Haridra varthi
• Nasya - Surasa swarasa + Saindava + Honey (Chronic cases)
• Leech therapy – over the forehead (Chronic cases)
• Shirodhara - surasadi taila (Chronic cases)
• Oil for head – Lakshadi Kera, Nirgundyadi Kera, Asanavilwadi Kera

Department

Salakya - ENT