Homoeopathic management of allergic rhinitis: a case report

Dr Chamundeshwari

ABSTRACT:
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common condition characterized by nasal mucosal inflammation triggered by allergens. Current treatments often relieve symptoms, but may have side effects or be less effective. This case report explores the use of homeopathic treatment as a therapeutic intervention for severe allergic rhinitis and provides a solid insight into the potential of homeopathy to address the problem.

Case description: A 33-year-old female 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 rhinitis with high levels of AEC. The patient tried conventional treatments with limited success and her symptoms recurred. Homeopathic remedies were thought to focus on individual treatment methods and address both physical and mental aspects.

Conclusion:
Over several weeks, the patient experienced improvement in her allergic rhinitis symptoms, with decreased sneezing, runny nose, and eye irritation. Follow-up evaluations showed continued and improved quality of life for patients. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment in the management of severe allergic rhinitis.

KEYWORDS: Allergic rhinitis, 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 rhinorrhoea, 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. Many people suffer from allergic rhinitis throughout their lives. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in India varies across regions and age groups. According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, the prevalence of AR in India ranges from 10 to 30 percentage. However, these rates are higher in urban areas than in rural areas. 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: XYZ
• Age: 33 yrs/ Female
• Address: Chikkabanavara, Bengaluru rural
• Occupation: Asha Worker
• Marital status: married since 10 years.
• Date: 15/08/23
• Chief complaint:

C/O- Recurrent cold, sneezing, watery discharge from eyes and nose associated with itching of nose, soft palate & throat Dryness of nasal mucosa since 1year.

PAST HISTORY:

• Allergic history: House Dust, pollen, strong odours
• Treatment history: Taken allopathic medication and ayurveda with No improvement.
• Surgical history : Undergone Caesarean section for 1^st pregnancy at 12years ago.

Undergone Caesarean section for 2^nd pregnancy at 8years ago.

FAMILY HISTORY:

• Mother: Apparently healthy
• Father: HTN, DM
• Younger sister-1: apparently healthy
• Younger sister-2: apparently healthy

PERSONAL HISTORY:

• Diet: mixed (prefers warm food
• Appetite: Good
• Hunger: intolerable. (Weakness, anger, irritability, headache)
• Thirst: thirsty, 3lt per day
• Desire: Sweets, chicken, fish
• Aversion: NS
• Urine: 5 to 6 times per day.
• Bowels: Once in a day/ Satisfactory.
• Perspiration: on exertion, offensive.
• Thermal: Hot.
• Sleep: refreshing, tossing much in bed, position- left side
• Dreams: snake

MENTALS:

Patient was born and brought up in Hesaragatta Bangalore. Nuclear family , She is the 1st child/ daughter. She was an average student in class, not much interested in studies. she failed twice in SSLC exam , 3rd time she got average marks & she passed. She has stage fear, unable to perform well on stage. Because of financial trouble in family she left school. She had 3-4close friends. After finishing SSLC she started working with her father. At the age of 16 she fell in love with some guy she decided to marry him. She spoke to her parents, but parents did not agree because he belonged to other caste. She attempted to commit suicide by cutting with knife , later her parents took her to a nearby clinic where treatment was taken. Inspite of all this, still her mother did not agree for the marriage. Next day She ran away with the boy, she got married , Mother in-law & father in-law had no issues with the marriage and welcomed her. Initial days she was very happy with her husband, later on he started speaking bad about her parents and even about her. Looking down on her parents.

He would taunt her. She started blaming herself on why did she marry him. If she argued he used to beat her. Gradually he started drinking alcohol and beating her everyday . She joined a job as an Ashaworker, he didn’t like her going to work. As a consequence, she attempted suicide 2 times by hanging. After 3 years of her marriage she went to her hometown, her mother still didn’t accept her, while her father accepted her and welcomed her into the home. Her mother doesn’t love her as much as she loves her 1st yonger sister because she obeys all her mother’s orders. Her mother got her younger sister married to Mother’s younger brother/maava/ amma na tamma. Her father did not like that marriage. After 4 years her sister got divorced, but her mother still wanted her to stay with him( maava). Her mother always disliked her father, because the money he was earning was not enough for the family. Now a days her mother has stopped caring about her father. Her mother and sister left her father, she started hating her mother & sister. She is satisfied with her job & salary. She likes company. She likes to share her feelings with her close people but at the same time she feels they will criticize & laugh at her. She is very sensitive to rudeness & criticism.

DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT:

Date: 01/08/2023

ABSOLUTE EOSINOPHIL COUNT: 450cells/microliter

THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION:

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

1. Lifestyle changes: increase intake of water, avoid touching face and rubbing eyes or nose.
2. Identifying and avoiding specific allergens triggering symptoms, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mould.

HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH:

• Fundamental miasm – Sycotic
• Dominant miasm – Psora
• Miasmatic analysis- Psoro Sycotic

TOTALITY OF SYMPTOMS:

• Loquacious
• Offensive perspiration.
• Hunger aggravation.
• Desire – sweet, chicken, fish
• Thermally hot.
• Recurrent complaints.
• Prefer loose clothing, she feels suffocation

REPERTORIAL ANALYSIS: Synthesis Repertory

REPERTORIAL TOTALILY WITH RUBRICS:

Ailments from grief
Loquacity
Mocking sarcasm
Suicidal disposition
hay fever

Lach: 12/5, Ars 9/5, Ars 9/5

TREATMENT: Rx: LACHESIS MUTUS 200C /1 DOSE

Lachesis mutus 200C was given  based on individuality and miasmatic analysis. As the case shows suicidal disposition, sensitivity to mocking and Loquacity. Lachesis also covers symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis. Hence, Lachesis was given as the constitutional and miasmatic similimum.

FOLLOW UP: Table 01

DATE	CLINICAL FEATURES	TREATMENT
17/09/2023	Watery discharge – profuse , Continuous Sneezing – reduced loss of smell & nose block  – persist itching of nose & palate – reduced <night, early morning, expose to dust, pollen	Rx: Lachesis muta 1M 1 dose Rubrum 5-0-5/ 30days
20/10/2023	Recurrent rhinitis , itching of nose & palate – reduced Watery discharge , Continuous Sneezing – reduced Loss of smell –improved	Rx: Rubrum 5-0-5 /30days
15/11/2023	Recurrent rhinitis-reduced Watery discharge , itching – reduced Continuous Sneezing – reduced Loss of smell & nose block  – reduced	Rx: Rubrum 5-0-5 /30days

Table no.01- Follow Ups

DISCUSSION:

This case report describes the management of severe allergic rhinitis (AR) in a 33-year-old Female 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 discussion and evaluation, a homeopathic treatment is selected based on the patient’s specific symptoms, constitution and underlying  susceptibility .

The results of this case contribute to the growing body of evidence showing the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment in the management of AR. This is because it promoted the , role of homeopathy as a cost-effective treatment for allergic diseases.

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 and potential bias associated with subjective reporting of symptoms.

Further studies, including clinical trials designed with large sample sizes and complex procedures, are needed to clarify the mechanisms of action of homeopathic remedies indicated in the management of AR. Comparative studies evaluating homeopathy in comparison with conventional treatments or placebo-based trials can provide valuable information about the role of homeopathy in the treatment of mixed allergies.

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 allergic rhinitis

REFERENCES:

1. Singh, V., & Sharma, S. C. (2015). Allergic Rhinitis: A Comprehensive Review of Indian Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 67(2), 143–149. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12070-015-0846
2. 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.
3. Synthesis repertory mobile application.

Dr.Chamundeshwari
PG scholar, Department of organon of medicine and philosophy
Government homoeopathic medical college and hospital, Bangaluru – 560079
Bindubiradar814@gmail.com

Under Guidance of
Dr.Shrinidhi Hebbar .G.N MD (Hom.)
Assistant professor, Department of organon of medicine with homoeopathic philosophy
GHMC&H Bangaluruu