Homoeopathy for Severe Allergic Rhinitis : A Case Report

Dr Rakesh SP

Abstract:
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common condition characterized by nasal inflammation triggered by allergens. Conventional treatments often provide symptomatic relief but may be associated with side effects or limited efficacy.This case report explores the application of homeopathic treatment as a therapeutic intervention for severe Allergic rhinitis and presents compelling insights into its potential efficacy in addressing the issue.

Case description: A 21-year-old male with a history of itching in eyes, nose and throat, nasal congestion and severe watery eyes and water discharge from nose. Case was diagnosed as Allergic rhintis with high levels of serum IgE. The patient had explored conventional treatments with limited success and had recurring symptoms. Homeopathic therapy was considered, focusing on the principles of individualized treatment and addressing both physical and emotional aspects.

Conclusion: Over a period of several weeks, the patient experienced a gradual improvement in his allergic rhinitis symptoms, with a notable reduction in sneezing episodes, nasal congestion, and eye irritation. Follow-up assessments demonstrated sustained relief and overall enhancement in the patient’s well-being. This case highlights the potential effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment in managing severe allergic rhinitis.

Keywords: Allergic rhintis, Homoeopathy, Individualized homoeopathic medicine, recurrent cold.

Introduction:
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent inflammatory condition affecting the nasal passages, triggered by an immune response to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or animal dander.

It is characterized by symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, and rhinorrhea, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life.

While conventional treatments such as antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, and decongestants are commonly used, they may be associated with adverse effects or provide only partial relief for some individuals.

Large numbers of people are affected by Allergic rhinitis in their lifetime. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in India varies across different regions and age groups. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, the overall prevalence of AR in India ranges from 10% to 30%. However, this prevalence tends to be higher in urban areas compared to rural regions.

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Considering the increasing trend of Allergic rhinitis, it’s an urgent need to find the treatment to be efficient, reliable, cost effective and affordable even to the lower economic section also.

Patient history:

• Name: Rv
• Age: 21 yrs/ Male
• Address: Jayanagar, Bengaluru.
• Occupation: student
• Marital status: married since 4 years.
• Date: 26/11/2023
• Chief complaint:
• c/o Recurrent cold, sneezing, watery discharge from eyes and nose associated with itching since 1 year. More since 1 week.

Past history: NS

Allergic history: Dust.

Treatment history: Taken allopathic medication and ayurveda with No improvement.

Family history:

• Mother: Hypertension,  Bronchial asthma.
• Father: Alive and Healthy

Personal history:

• Diet: mixed (prefers warm food)
• Appetite: Good
• Hunger: intolerable. (Weakness, anger, irritability, headache)
• Thirst: 3lt per day
• Desire: NS
• Aversion: NS
• Urine: 5 to 6 times per day.
• Bowels: Once/ Satisfactory.
• Perspiration: on exertion, chest, neck, forehead and scalp.
• Thermal: Hot.
• Sleep: Good.
• Dreams: ns

Mentals: Very jovial in nature. If someone is rude he will keep thinking about it. Father was alcoholic and he used be afraid of father. Father is very strict. Patient wanted to stay in his hometown in madya pradesh but father wants him to stay in bengaluru. He is staying for the sake of parents. He doesn’t like to stay in Bengaluru. Complaints started once he came to bengaluru one year back. Studied on his own without anyone’s force.

Clinical findings and history

• Nasal examination revealed pale, boggy nasal mucosa with clear discharge. No polyps or extra growth.
• Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes) due to venous congestion.
• Allergic salute: Transverse nasal crease secondary to repeated upward rubbing of the nose.
• Timeline:  after 1 month of coming to bengaluru in 2022 november. Patient started having recurrent colds and watery eyes and itchiness eyes and nose.
• Taken Allopathic treatment till april 2023. And ayurveda till november 2023. Came to homeopathic treatment on 26 November 2023.

Diagnostic assessment :

• Serum Analysis:
• To comfirm the diagnosis serum IgE was adviced.
• Serum analysis reports showed following results:

Report on 26/11/2023:

Therapeutic intervention: Depending on the cause of Allergic rhinitis, treatments may include:

Lifestyle changes:Stop smoking, drinking and any recreational drug use.

Identifying and avoiding specific allergens triggering symptoms, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold.

Homoeopathic approach:

Miasmatic analysis-  PSORO SYPHILITIC

Totality of symptoms:

1. Ailments from domination
2. Sensitive to rudeness.
3. Yellow staining of perspiration.
4. Hunger aggravation.
5. Thermally hot.
6. Recurrent complaints.

Repertorial analysis: synthesis repertory

Reportorial result: LYCOPODIUM

TREATMENT:LYCOPODIUM 1M /1 DOSE

Lycopodium 1m based on individuality and miasmatic analysis. As there was a history of domination from father and jovial person and lack of confidence and very diligent student, prefers warm food suggests Lycopodium as the constitutional and miasmatic similimum.

Follow-up & Date	Clinical features	Investigation reports (Serum analysis)	Treatment
26/11/2023 1st visit	1. Water discharge from nose and eyes. 2. Itchiness of nose and eyes. 3. Nasal congestion.	Serum IgE: 729.2 IU/ml	1.Lycopodium 1M/1DOSE 2. PL for 30 days 6-6-6
2ndfollow-up on 03/01/2024	Intensity of cold reduced Itchiness persist but better by 70% Watery discharge from nose and eyes reduced 80% Feeling more confidence in crowd activities. All generals are good	Not repeated.	1.PL 6-6-6 for 30 days
3nd follow-up on 3/02/2024	All generals are good. Feels confident in stage activities than before. No watery eyes and itchiness of nose and eyes.	Serum IgE: 103.9 IU/ml	1. PL for 30 days.

Discussion:
This case report describes the management of severe allergic rhinitis (AR) in a 21-year-old male using individualized homoeopathic treatment. The patient presented with persistent nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, and rhinorrhea, which significantly impacted his quality of life and led to dissatisfaction with conventional therapies. Through a detailed consultation and assessment, a tailored homoeopathic remedy was prescribed based on the patient’s unique symptom profile, constitution, and underlying susceptibility.

The findings of this case contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting the potential efficacy of individualized homoeopathic treatment in AR management. As homoeopathy have highlighted its role as an cost effective therapy for allergic conditions.

Several factors may have contributed to the observed improvements in the patient’s symptoms. Firstly, homoeopathy emphasizes the holistic approach to patient care, considering physical, mental, and emotional aspects of health. The selection of an individualized remedy based on the patient’s unique symptom presentation and constitution aligns with the fundamental principles of homoeopathy, aiming to stimulate the body’s innate healing response.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of this case report, including the lack of a control group, potential biases associated with subjective reporting of symptoms.

Further research, including well-designed clinical trials with larger sample sizes and rigorous methodologies, is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of action of frequently indicated homoeopathic remedies in AR management. Comparative studies evaluating homoeopathy versus conventional treatments or placebo-controlled trials could provide valuable insights into its role in integrative allergy care.

conclusion: This case report highlights the potential of individualized homoeopathic treatment as a safe and well-tolerated therapeutic option for severe allergic rhinitis.Over a period of several weeks, the patient experienced a gradual improvement in his allergic rhinitis symptoms, with a notable reduction in sneezing episodes, nasal congestion, and eye irritation. Follow-up assessments demonstrated sustained relief and overall enhancement in the patient’s well-being. This case highlights the potential effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment in managing severe allergic rhinitis

References:

1. Pawankar, R., Canonica, G. W., Holgate, S. T., Lockey, R. F., & Blaiss, M. (2013). World Allergy Organization (WAO) White Book on Allergy: Update 2013. Milwaukee, WI: World Allergy Organization.
2. Singh, V., & Sharma, S. C. (2015). Allergic Rhinitis: A Comprehensive Review of Indian Perspective. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 67(2), 143–149. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12070-015-0846-0
3. https://journals.lww.com/lungindia/fulltext/2019/36050/coexistence_of_allergic_rhinitis_and_asthma_in.7.aspx#:~:text=30%25%20of%20the%20Indian%20population,and%20that%2015%25%20develop%20asthma.

Dr Rakesh SP
PG SCHOLAR, Department of Homoeopathic materia medica
Under the guidance of: DR JYOTI A MOOLABHARATI.
Government Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Bengaluru.
Email: rakeshsp6@gmail.com

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