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Tap water nasal irrigation in adults with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized double-blind study

  • Rhinology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Saline nasal irrigation is effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis, and sodium chloride itself has no antiallergic effects. The mechanism of saline nasal irrigation depends mainly on washing away allergens and inflammatory mediators induced by allergic reactions. Tap water has the same washing effects as saline. In this study, it was investigated if tap water nasal irrigation was effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Sixty-four patients diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis were enrolled. Patients were randomized to tap water nasal irrigation group and non-tap water nasal irrigation group for treatment. Patients of both groups were treated with desloratadine. Treatment outcomes were measured using allergic rhinitis Quality of Life (QoL) survey was completed at baseline and after 3 weeks of therapy. There were statistically significant differences in QoL scores between tap water nasal irrigation group and non-tap water nasal irrigation group. The tap water nasal irrigation group had better QoL scores than the non-tap water nasal irrigation group. Tap water nasal irrigation can be a valuable adjuvant therapy for patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

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Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Liu Hua Road 111, Guangzhou, 510010, China

    Min Xiong, Xiaoyan Fu & Wenting Deng

  2. Medical Research Center, Guangzhou General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command, Guangzhou, 510010, China

    Huangwen Lai & Chuanhong Yang

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  1. Min Xiong
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  2. Xiaoyan Fu
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  3. Wenting Deng
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  4. Huangwen Lai
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  5. Chuanhong Yang
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Correspondence to Min Xiong.

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Xiong, M., Fu, X., Deng, W. et al. Tap water nasal irrigation in adults with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized double-blind study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 271, 1549–1552 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-013-2741-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-013-2741-4

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