Local hyperthermia and nasal irrigation for perennial allergic rhinitis: effect on symptoms and nasal airflow

Abstract

Local hyperthermia or inhalation of heated water vapor is often recommended as a home remedy for various nasal disorders such as the common cold and allergic rhinitis. With technical advances in vapor generation, water can be heated to a range of 41 degrees C to 43 degrees C with variation in particle size. The effect of inhaled heated vapor treatments was studied in patients with perennial rhinitis for changes in nasal airflow and patient perception of symptoms. Thirty symptomatic patients underwent three treatments at weekly intervals: (1) a large particle heated water vapor at 43 degrees C for 20 minutes with a particle size of 4 to 8 microns, (2) a molecular water vapor at 41 degrees C for 20 minutes which is a vapor phase, and (3) nasal irrigation. Nasal airflow increased after both vapor treatments at four and six hours (P < .05) whereas airflow decreased after simple nasal irrigation treatment. Rhinitis symptoms improved after vapor treatments but not with nasal irrigation. Patients preferred the molecular water vapor treatment over the large particle vapor treatment and nasal irrigation by 2:1 margin. This study demonstrated the usefulness of heated vapor treatments in improving rhinitis symptoms and nasal airflow.