Allergic Rhinitis

Q Can Korean medicine treatment let me stop rhinitis medication completely?

A. When constitutional improvement treatment goes well, dependence on medication can be greatly reduced, though short-term medication may still be used during heavy allergen exposure.

Q If I have allergic rhinitis, can I also develop asthma?

A. Allergic rhinitis and asthma share the same allergic inflammation pathway, and leaving rhinitis untreated raises bronchial sensitivity, risking progression to asthma.

Q What is the relationship between allergic rhinitis and sinusitis (rhinosinusitis)?

A. When allergic rhinitis recurs, swelling of the nasal mucosa blocks sinus drainage, which can develop into sinusitis (rhinosinusitis).

Q My rhinitis is so severe that I can't sleep. Is there a way to manage it during sleep?

A. Nasal irrigation before bed, adjusting pillow height, and washing bedding in hot water once a week are effective for easing congestion during sleep.

Q Does exercise help with allergic rhinitis?

A. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improves blood flow in the nasal mucosa and aids immune regulation. However, avoid outdoor exercise when pollen levels are high.

Q Does the herbal medicine used for allergic rhinitis put a burden on the liver?

A. Prescribed herbal medicine is composed mainly of herbs with confirmed safety, and for patients with liver disease or on long-term use, liver function monitoring is carried out alongside.

Q Is nasal bloodletting a safe procedure?

A. Nasal bloodletting performed by a Korean medicine doctor is safe when single-use needles are used and hygiene protocols are followed.

Q Can I take herbal medicine together with antihistamines or nasal steroids?

A. Combined use is possible in most cases, but you should space out the dosing times and tell your Korean medicine doctor about all medications you are taking.

Q Can adult allergic rhinitis be completely cured?

A. Long-term management to minimize symptoms is more realistic than a complete cure, but many cases improve markedly when immunotherapy and Korean medicine constitutional improvement are combined.

Q Will my child's allergic rhinitis get better as they grow up?

A. Rhinitis that begins in childhood or adolescence sometimes improves naturally with age, but if left untreated it can progress to chronic rhinosinusitis.

Q What causes allergic rhinitis?

A. IgE antibodies overreact to allergens such as house dust mites and pollen, causing repeated inflammation of the nasal mucosa.

Q How does Korean medicine understand the cause of allergic rhinitis?

A. It is seen as Lung qi deficiency (pyegi-heo) weakening the defensive qi (wigi), allowing Wind-Cold (punghan) to invade the nasal passages.

Q Are there foods that worsen allergic rhinitis?

A. Cold foods, dairy, and wheat-based foods can generate phlegm-fluid (dameum) and worsen swelling of the nasal mucosa.

Q Which indoor factors most commonly trigger rhinitis?

A. House dust mites, mold, and pet dander are considered the three major indoor allergens.

Q How often do I need to visit for Korean medicine treatment of allergic rhinitis?

A. For the first 2-4 weeks, acupuncture 2-3 times a week; after that, adjusted to once a week or every other week depending on symptoms.

Q How does early treatment of allergic rhinitis proceed?

A. In the acute phase, symptoms are quickly calmed with Socheongnyong-tang and acupuncture, while allergen environment improvement is carried out at the same time.

Q Do I need to keep getting treatment even after my symptoms improve?

A. Maintenance treatment for 3-6 months after symptom relief greatly lowers the recurrence rate.

Q Is Korean medicine treatment actually effective for allergic rhinitis?

A. Numerous clinical studies report that combined acupuncture and herbal treatment is effective for both relieving symptoms and reducing recurrence.