Allergic Rhinitis can be either seasonal or perennial and can affect up to 40% of the worldwide population. Seasonal triggers such as pollens and persistent triggers such as animal hair and dust mites can cause many symptoms in people such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose and eyes, blocked nose, eye symptoms (red eyes and itchy eyes), wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, interrupted sleep, fatigue and poor concentration. Sufferers also frequently form other allergic conditions such as asthma or skin rashes.
Acupuncture may help by reducing inflammation (Kavoussi 2007), enhancing natural killer cell activities (Kawakita 2008), stimulating nerves which leads to the release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors (Cheng 2009), regulating levels of IgE and cytokines, mediators of the allergic reaction to extrinsic allergens (Roberts 2008) and increasing local microcirculation which aids dispersal of swelling (Komori 2009).
Conventional treatment aims to minimise or eliminate symptoms and improve quality of life. Studies suggest that acupuncture is safer than current commonly used medications (Brozek 2016).