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Allergies
In this section you will find scientific research on the effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine in treating allergic complaints. There are many types of allergies, such as hay fever, pet allergy, dust mite allergy, food allergy, or contact allergy.
Allergic rhinitis is a persistent inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Because the nasal mucosa is chronically inflamed, it becomes swollen and produces more mucus (snot). The inflammation irritates the mucosa and causes a blocked nose. The main outdoor allergens are tree pollen (especially birch) and grasses. Indoors, it is mainly dust mites and pets. Everyday terms for allergic rhinitis are therefore hay fever, dust mite allergy, or pet allergy. See also: Acupuncture for hay fever.
Globally, about 10 to 30% of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis, and in some countries, more than half of the people are affected. Other allergies are also common. The conventional treatment of allergic rhinitis recommends avoiding triggers and includes oral medication, nasal sprays, and/or allergen immunotherapy. Avoiding triggers can be effective, but is not always possible or practical.
Recent research shows that acupuncture is an effective and relatively safe treatment option that can provide both temporary symptomatic relief and lasting benefits up to three months after treatment.
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