A STUDY ON HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF ALLERGIC COLD

Phase 4

Not yet recruiting

Conditions: Allergic rhinitis, unspecified,

Registration Number: CTRI/2022/04/041644

Lead Sponsor: Dr Anand A Kulkarni

Brief Summary: Allergic rhinitis is the commonest allergy encounteredin clinical practice and constitutes more than 50% of all allergies seen inIndia. In fact, 1 in 6 people suffer from rhinitis which makes itâ€™s thecommonest chronic disease of man today, and even now its incidence is steadilyincreasing. Nasal symptoms are often deemed, however, their prevalence andeffect on the quality of life, justify an aggressive but rational approach. Itmust also be acknowledged that rhinitis appears first in about 45% of patients.Besides, it is now well documented that adequate nasal treatment can improvepulmonary functions. The incidence of allergic disease hasdramatically increased all over the world over recent decades. Althoughchildhood hay fever tends to be more common, this condition can occur at anyage and usually occurs after years of repeated inhalation of allergicsubstances.

Homoeopathy has a significant role in the treatment ofallergic rhinitis. The properly taken detailed case history, concept ofsusceptibility, individualisation helps in treating allergic rhinitis.Homoeopathic medicines work by optimising the overactive immune system.Homoeopathic medicines provide a stimulus to the body like that of the triggeror allergen leading to the gradual desensitization of the immune system.

**Clinical Types:**

1) Seasonal: Hay fever due to pollengrains occurs at the time of pollination.

2) Perennial: Affects the patientthroughout the year.

**Symptoms:**

1.   Irritationin the nose is the initial symptom.

2.   Paroxysmalsneezing of recurrent type is usually present which exhausts the patient. Inchronic cases sneezing may be less.

3.   Rhinorrhoeais watery and copious.

4.   Nasalobstruction due to venous stasis is often present.

5.   Anosmiamay be present intermittently or continually.

6.    Headache can be present.

**Signs:**

1.    Acute Stage: The mucosa appears to be palewith excessive mucoid or watery secretions.

2.    Chronic Stage-The nose may appear to benormal or the mucosa is bluish or purplish due to venous stasis.

3.    Infection may be superimposed.

4.    Polyps may be present.

5.    Allergic Salute-Itching in the nose andrhinorrhoea may lead the patient to lift the tip of his nose upwards with hispalm which appear like a salute.

6.    Darrires line- Repeated allergic salutemay result in a horizontal crease on the dorsum of the nose a little superiorto the tip of the nose.

**Diagnosis:**

It consists of diagnosing allergic rhinitis anddetecting the allergen.

1) DiagnosingAllergic Rhinitis:

i) Clinical features and the paroxysmalattacks reveal the diagnosis.

ii) Nasal secretions may containeosinophils.3

Cytological examination of swab taken fromthe mucous membrane of inferior turbinate reveals that many patients havemarked eosinophilia, i.e. eosinophils accounting for more than half of theaggregate number of blood cells.5As rare (0-3 whole slide),moderate(0-3hpf), or many (more than 3hpf).

iii) Haemogram may show eosinophilia. i.e.more than 440cells/cmm

iv) Stools are examined to excludehelminths.

2) Detectionof Allergens

It is not possible to detect the allergen in all thecases as it is impossible to test against all the allergens because a personmay be allergic to multiple allergens. Following tests are useful.

a)     Historymay suggest the nature of allergy.

b)     Skintests by intradermal injections.

c)      Inhalationof allergens- Nasal provocation tests.

d)     Eliminationtests for food.

RAST (Radio allegro sorbent test) is a new sensitivein vitro test for the assay of reaginic (IgE) antibodies specific forparticular antigens.

**Complications:**

Nasal allergy may cause:-

1) Recurrent sinusitis because of obstructionto the sinus ostia.

2) Nasal Polypi.

3) Serous otitis media.

4) Orthodontic problems and other ill-effectsof prolonged mouth breathing especially in children.

Bronchial asthma- Patients of nasal allergy have fourtimes more risk of developing bronchial asthma.

**Treatment:**

Avoiding the allergen or desensitisation against theallergen is the ideal treatment, but it is not always possible.

1) Avoidance of the allergen is ideal but isnot always practical

2) Desensitisation

3) Symptomatic

General-Vitamin C and calcium are often recommendedbut are of doubtful value.

Allopathic treatment can provideonly temporary relief to allergic conditions and the patient suffers time andagain from the symptoms whenever exposed to the triggers. Whereas, homoeopathictreatment has proven to cure the problem from the roots, by strengtheningbodyâ€™s own immune system.

Homoeopathy is safe, effectivesystem of natural healing that is based on the principal that â€œlike cures likeâ€when it comes to allergic rhinitis, Homoeopathic treatment boosts a personâ€™simmune system and eliminates their propensity for hay fever and allergies.Homoeopathy is very effective in managing all the symptoms of allergies andalso plays an important role in preventing relapse of the condition andimproving the general health of the person.

Hence,taking all these factors into consideration it is a sincere effort to study therole of homoeopathic medicines in treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Not Yet Recruiting

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 104

Inclusion Criteria

1 Subjects of all age groups and both sex.
2 Subjects irrespective of their occupation and socio-economic status will be selected.
3 Subjects diagnosed as cases of allergic rhinitis covering clinical features and h/o paroxysmal attack and showing raised Absolute Eosinophil Count ie more than 440cells/cmm and more than 3 eosinophils in nasal secretion.
4 Subjects who have given consent for the study.

Exclusion Criteria

1 Subjects with any other chronic diseases and on active treatment.
2 Subjects with any anatomical or pathological irreversible structural changes.
3 Complications of allergic rhinitis like sinusitis, nasal polypi, serous otitis media, orthodontic problems, bronchial asthma.

Study & Design

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Improved: Partial relief of some of the presenting complaints that formed the portrait of the disease with / without relief of clinical features of allergic rhinitis but relapsing of signs and symptoms, decreased in eosinophil count but not restore to normal i.e. more than 440 cells/cmm and eosinophils seen in nasal secretion general well-being of the patient.	12 months
Not Improved: No relief from symptoms and no changes in Absolute Eosinophil Count in both blood and nasal secretion even after sufficient period of treatment, whatsoever.	12 months
The progress of the treatment of patient shall be assessed as per the guidelines given in the Organon for each individual class of case.	12 months
Recovered: Disappearance of all the presenting complaints that formed the portrait of the disease and normal level of eosinophil count i.e. less than 440 cells/cmm and no eosinophil seen in nasal secretion along with general well-being of the patient.	12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The progress of the treatment of patient shall be assessed as per the guidelines given in the Organon for each individual class of case.	Recovered: Disappearance of all the presenting complaints that formed the portrait of the disease and normal level of eosinophil count i.e. less than 440 cells/cmm and no eosinophil seen in nasal secretion along with general well-being of the patient.

Trial Locations

Locations (2): Dr B D Jatti Homoeopathic Medical College Hospital and PG Research Centre Dharwad
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Dharwad, KARNATAKA, India
Dr. D. Y. Patil Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, Pimpri, Pune.
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Pune, MAHARASHTRA, India
Dr B D Jatti Homoeopathic Medical College Hospital and PG Research Centre Dharwad
🇮🇳Dharwad, KARNATAKA, India
Dr Anand A Kulkarni
Principal investigator
9845643211
dranandkulkarni@gmail.com