Hay fever Nasal rinse instead of nasal spray

Nasal rinsing with salt water solutions for hay fever

19.03.2012

Hay fever patients should rather resort to nasal irrigation with salt water than on the commercial nasal sprays, so a current communication of the consumer initiative in Berlin. Although there are no scientific studies on the effectiveness of nasal douches in hay fever, but other experts such as the allergist from the Department of Otolaryngology at the University Hospital Ulm, Professor Jörg Lindemann, have long been of the positive effects of Nasal rinses convinced.

The symptoms of hay fever patients can be significantly improved if their nose is flushed regularly with a salt water solution, so the statement of the experts. „Instead of using nasal drops with a decongestant effect, it makes more sense to rinse the nose with salt water“, declared the consumer initiative in Berlin. In addition to the long-term use of nasal sprays is said to have a harmful effect on the mucous membranes, said Sapphire Robert of the consumer initiative to the news agency „APA“.

Nasal rinsing is the better alternative
About 16 percent of the population in Germany „suffer from the so-called hay fever, an allergy to pollens or pollen“, so the current consumer communication initiative. Sneezing attacks, coughing, runny nose and breathing problems and even asthma are the typical symptoms of those affected. To alleviate the stuffy nose, many pollen allergy sufferers rely on commercially available nasal sprays, which are supposed to cause the mucous membranes to swell. But the nasal sprays can have a long-term negative effect. Because „The more people use the spray more often, the more the body gets used to it and does not make it anymore“, Even fighting the mucosal swelling, said Sapphire Robert. To clear the nose, nasal rinses with salt water are the better alternative. Last year, Professor Harald Morr of the German Lung Foundation recommended the use of nasal irrigations to alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, once a day with a normal saline solution (0.9 grams of sodium chloride per 100 grams of water) , However, a more frequent use is foreseeable, since the nasal douche can also have negative consequences for the nasal mucous membranes.

Allergy sufferers should minimize contact with the pollen
In addition to the nasal irrigations, the experts recommend to the allergy sufferers further measures to minimize the contact with the pollen. For example, the consumer initiative advises the person concerned during the pollen season „only sparingly or to ventilate after a downpour.“ It should be noted that in rural areas pollen concentrations in the morning are the highest in the air, whereas in city centers they rise only during the day and reach their peak between 6 pm and midnight. The Consumers Initiative also recommends the pollen allergy sufferers not to put their street clothes in the bedroom (because of the pollen adhering), in the evening before going to bed to wash the hair and wipe the apartment more often wet. Hay fever patients should also refrain from smoking as tobacco consumption increases „Weakens the immune system even more than the allergy already does“, emphasized Sapphire Robert.

Treatment is usually limited to hay fever symptoms
While many treatments are available to alleviate the symptoms of hay fever, very few therapies offer a cure for hay fever. One method used here is the so-called hyposensitization, in which patients are accustomed to them for years by contact with low doses of allergenic substances until no more allergic reaction occurs. Also the naturopathic treatment of hay fever begins with the causes of the complaints and tries to remedy them. Extensive treatment success has already been achieved, for example, with relaxation procedures, magnetic field and bioresonance therapy, self-blood therapy, herbal therapies, acupuncture and homeopathy. However, if the naturopathic treatment approaches are unsuccessful, a doctor should always be consulted, as untreated hay fever can lead to asthma and other bronchial diseases.

Pollutants promote allergies
Although it is still largely unclear why some people suffer particularly strongly from allergies, while others show no comparable symptoms, some statements can be made with regard to the possible risk factors. For example, pollutants such as tobacco smoke, formaldehyde emissions from wood-chipboard or fiberboard, and increased levels of particulate matter are considered potential factors that can accelerate the onset of allergies, the Consumers Initiative reports. For this reason, consumers are well advised to pay attention to environmental labels such as the Blue Angel when buying furniture, paints, floor coverings and wallpaper, so the conclusion of the consumer advocates. (Fp)

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