Caused by a series of factors, rhinitis is an acute or chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the nasal mucous membranes. Depending on the circumstances, rhinitis can be caused by pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria, or by allergens, which are substances capable of provoking allergic reactions in the affected person’s body. It is interesting to note that allergic rhinitis is a much more common condition than infectious rhinitis. Sometimes seasonal, it is unfortunately persistent most of the time, significantly disrupting the lives of all affected individuals. Also known as hay fever or pollinosis, seasonal allergic rhinitis mainly occurs in the presence of pollen, especially that of grasses.
As for persistent allergic rhinitis, it is somewhat different since it is caused by a number of allergenic agents such as dust, animal dander, dust mites or even pollution. If this type of rhinitis is referred to as persistent it is because, unlike seasonal rhinitis, it does not occur during a specific period of the year, but each time the body is confronted to the allergen to which it is sensitive. All in all, for reasons that are still poorly understood within the medical field, the body of individuals that are prone to allergies is likely to develop, at some point or other, allergies or hypersensitivity to a foreign substance that is normally harmless. Once this hypersensitivity is acquired, the allergy then results in an immediate reaction, such as rhinitis, each time the affected person is put in contact with the substance to which he or she has developed an intolerance.
Although allergic rhinitis is a priori benign, some evidence suggests that it may ultimately favour the onset of more serious respiratory diseases, such as asthma for example. Thus, it is far better not to ignore the symptoms and to treat them appropriately. This is especially true when the affected subjects are young children. In traditional medicine, allergic rhinitis are mostly treated by resorting to antihistamines and decongestant substances. As for infectious rhinitis, which is caused by viral or bacterial attacks, it is subjected to a specific treatment designed to eliminate the pathogenic agent responsible for the disease.
If homoeopathy is far from sufficient to completely cure rhinitis, it nevertheless helps to alleviate its symptoms, in addition to bringing significant relief to persons affected by this condition. Free of side effects, this method of treatment is also much more gentle on the body than conventional allopathy that can sometimes cause drowsiness and other side effects. In addition, some research conducted on specific homoeopathic remedies has established that the examined substances could favour desensitization among allergic subjects, that is to say a reduction of their body’s degree sensitivity in regard to the allergenic agents responsible for the pathology.
When an inflammation occurs, it is always accompanied by more or less severe nasal congestion, repeated sneezing and nasal discharge that is often watery. In some forms of allergic rhinitis, these symptoms may be linked to burning sensations in the nasal passages, as well as itching sensations on the palate and tearing, which may be quite substantial. If it is persistent, allergic rhinitis can also cause concentration problems among affected subjects. Infectious rhinitis is mainly characterized by frequent sneezing accompanied by aqueous or purulent nasal discharge. In addition to these symptoms, an affected person may also suffer from pain in the maxillary and frontal bones as well as a sensation of nasal obstruction. Furthermore, it is important to know that in some cases, infectious rhinitis can lead to sinusitis.
To alleviate the swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal fossae and the discomfort linked to the discharge, take 5 granules of Apis mellifera 15 CH and 5 granules of Arsenicum album 9 CH three times a day from the onset of sneezing and nasal discharge.
If nasal congestion and discharge are accompanied by itching sensations in the palate are, it will then be advised to take 5 granules of Sabadilla 15 CH three times a day, from the onset of the attack. In the event that pruritus is linked to other itching sensations in the ears, one will need to take 5 granules of Arundo donax 5 CH three times a day, right from the onset of the first symptoms.
In case of seasonal allergic rhinitis, one may take 5 granules of Histaminum 9 CH or 5 granules of Lung Histamine 9 CH twice a day from the start of the season in which the allergy usually occurs. In some cases, it is also possible to take 5 granules of Pollens 30 CH per day for the duration of the season that is conducive to the allergic reaction. Nevertheless, in these circumstances it is preferable to let the physician establish the appropriate treatment and dosage instructions according to the patient’s specific symptoms.
Sometimes, depending on related disorders, seasonal allergic rhinitis or persistent rhinitis will need to be addressed more specifically and treated with remedies such as Allium cepa, Ambrosia artemisiaefolia, Kalium iodatum or Naphtalitum.
It is important to know that it is extremely difficult to permanently cure seasonal allergic rhinitis and persistent rhinitis once they occur. However, thanks to homoeopathy, it is nevertheless possible to significantly reduce the severity of the symptoms of rhinitis as well as their recurrence. Consequently, the most suitable preventive remedies are usually Lachesis mutus, Lycopodium clavatum, Natrum muriaticum, Nux vomica, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Sulphur iodatum and Tuberculinum. But once again, it is important to remember that it is the physician’s responsibility to determine the most appropriate treatment, depending on the symptoms and the disease’s frequency of occurrence.
In case of watery nasal discharge, and if rhinitis is accompanied by tearing and tingling sensations near the eyes, it is recommended to take hourly 5-granule doses of Allium cepa 9 CH. Once the symptoms are alleviated, the doses may be progressively reduced until total recovery is achieved.
If the discharge is related to the nasal congestion, it is rather advised to take 5 granules of Ammonium muriaticum 5 CH every hour, until the obstruction begins to drain progressively. If the discharge is accompanied by burning sensations, it is advisable to take 5 granules of Arsenicum album 9 CH every hour or 5 granules of Kalium iodatum 9 CH if pain is felt in the frontal and maxillary bones. Regarding these three remedies, know that the intakes will need to be gradually reduced as the symptoms are alleviated.
In case of infectious rhinitis accompanied by purulent discharge, take five granules of Kalium bichromicum 9 CH three times a day until the discharge gradually decreases, and a daily dose of Hepar sulfuris calcareum 30 CH during four days. Once the symptoms are alleviated, intakes of Kalium bichromicum will need to be less frequent.
Note also that in some cases, remedies such as Ammonium carbonicum, Aralia racemosa, Arsenicum iodatum, Badiaga, Magnesia muriatica or Sambucus nigra may be recommended. Nevertheless, the physician should once again be left to determine the most appropriate treatment according to different criteria that have helped establish the diagnosis.
Regarding the preventive treatment of infectious rhinitis, the most appropriate remedies are generally similar to those used for preventing the onset of allergic rhinitis. Therefore, these treatments may also require the use of remedies such as Lachesis mutus, Lycopodium, Natrum muriaticum, Nux vomica, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Sulphur iodatum or Tuberculinum.
If rhinitis is caused by pathogenic agents and is accompanied by purulent nasal discharge, it will be necessary to consult a doctor promptly so that an appropriate treatment may be implemented. Furthermore, it is important to know that in case of infectious rhinitis, homoeopathy will only intervene in complement to the prescribed allopathic treatment.
If rhinitis is of allergic origin, it is best to consult a doctor at the first sign of relapse in order to identify the agents responsible for the allergic reaction. Furthermore, it is recommended to seek professional help if the symptoms linked to the pathology are unbearable or if they lead to numerous disorders.
Finally, it is strongly recommended to promptly consult a doctor if the affected subject is very young, (infants, children and particularly those younger than two) so as to avoid respiratory distress and limit the future development of more serious conditions such as asthma.
Good to know: To treat certain forms of allergic rhinitis, conventional medicine prescribes desensitisation treatments of which the aim is to decrease the intensity of the allergic reaction by increasing the subject’s tolerance to allergens. Some research indicates that it is now possible to obtain similar results by resorting to homoeopathy.
