Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis refers to a non-infectious chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa that is mainly mediated by IgE after the body is exposed to allergens.

Typical symptoms include paroxysmal sneezing, watery nasal discharge, nasal itching and nasal congestion. They may be accompanied by eye symptoms, including itchy eyes, tearing, red eyes and burning sensation, which are more common in patients with pollen allergies. With the arrival of the season when allergenic pollens are scattered, the nasal and eye symptoms of patients with hay fever will relapse or worsen. If the causative factor is mainly indoor allergens (dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, etc.), the symptoms will occur all year round.

Allergen skin testing can provide valuable evidence for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis

The main methods include skin prick test and intradermal test. In addition, other tests can be performed, such as serum total IgE test, serum specific IgE test, nasal provocation test, nasal secretion smear or nasal lavage fluid specific IgE test.

For patients with allergic rhinitis who are frequently exposed to high concentrations of indoor allergens (dust mites, animal dander, etc.), after environmental assessment, it is recommended to take multiple measures to avoid contact with dust mites and pets. Glucocorticoids, antihistamines, antileukotrienes, mast cell membrane stabilizers, decongestants, anticholinergics, and other drugs can be used for treatment.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this disease is mostly caused by deficiency of the lungs, spleen, and kidneys, insufficient vital energy, loose pores, and weak defensive surface, which reduce the body's adaptability to the external environment.

For patients with lung qi deficiency and cold, the treatment is to warm the lungs and dispel cold, replenish qi and consolidate the exterior, and choose Wenfei Zhiliu Dan with modifications. For patients with spleen deficiency, the treatment is to replenish qi and strengthen the spleen, raise yang and open the orifices, and choose Buzhong Yiqi Tang with modifications. For patients with kidney yang deficiency, the treatment is to warm and tonify kidney yang, transform qi and promote water circulation, and choose Zhenwu Tang with modifications. For patients with latent heat in the lung meridian, the treatment is to clear and promote lung qi and clear the nasal orifices, and choose Xinyi Qingfei Yin with modifications.

Traditional Chinese medicine external treatment can also significantly relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

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Smell method:

You can grind Angelica dahurica, Chuanxiong, Asarum and Magnolia officinalis into fine powder, put it in a bottle, and smell it from time to time.

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Moxibustion:

Select Zusanli, Mingming, Baihui, Qihai, Sanyinjiao, Shenque and other acupoints, and perform hanging moxibustion or moxibustion through ginger.

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Auricular acupuncture:

Select Shenmen, endocrine, internal nose, lung, spleen, kidney and other acupoints, and press the above acupoints with fenugreek seed stickers.

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Massage treatment:

After syndrome differentiation and treatment, select Chinese herbal powder and apply it to Neiguan or Yintang acupoints.

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Massage Therapy:

Place the thenar eminences of both hands on both sides of the bridge of the nose, and rub back and forth from the root of the nose to the Yingxiang point until you feel a local heat sensation.

This article is selected from the official microblog of Beijing Third Hospital of Chinese Medicine