What Is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis, is caused by an allergic reaction, is it an inflammatory condition triggered by allergens such as pollen (this is referred to as Hay fever), dust mites, pet dandruff, and mould spores. (NHS 2022) When exposed to these allergens, the immune system overreacts, producing histamines that lead to uncomfortable symptoms.

Globally, 10–30% of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis. In the UK, it affects approximately 26% of adults and 10–15% of children (Allergy UK, 2023). The condition can be seasonal, triggered by pollen or caused by indoor allergens like dust or pet dandruff.

 

What Does It Feel Like?

Common Symptoms of Hay Fever

Hay fever symptoms can be mild to severe and may interfere with daily activities, sleep, and concentration. These include:

Nasal Symptoms – Sneezing, congestion, runny or itchy nose.

Eye Symptoms – Itchy, red, or watery eyes.

Throat & Ear Discomfort – Itchy throat and ears.

Fatigue & Brain Fog – Hayfever can cause tiredness and difficulty concentrating. (NHS, 2024)

 

Who Does It Affect the Most?

Hay fever can impact anyone, but it is more common in:

People with a family history of allergies or asthma.

Those living in areas with high pollen counts or frequent allergen exposure. (NHS 2022)

 

How Is Hay Fever Usually Treated?

Traditional treatments for allergic rhinitis include:

Antihistamines – Reduce allergic responses but may cause drowsiness.

Nasal Corticosteroids – Help control inflammation but may lead to long-term side effects.

Decongestants – Provide short-term relief but can cause worse congestion if used longer term.

Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT) – A long-term desensitisation approach but requires commitment and can cause side effects, including anaphylaxis (McDonald, 2018 & NHS, 2024).

 

While conventional treatments focus on symptom management, acupuncture offers a natural, non-pharmacological alternative that has been shown to provide immediate and at least short-term relief of symptoms.

 

How Acupuncture Helps Treat Hay Fever

Acupuncture, a key practice in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves the insertion of fine single use needles into specific points on the body.  The points selected will be selected to help address your symptoms.

 

Scientific Evidence Supporting Acupuncture for Hay Fever

Modern research confirms that acupuncture can provide at least short-term relief of symptoms.

  • A 2018 systematic review found moderate to high-quality evidence that acupuncture significantly reduces sneezing, itchy nose, itchy eyes, runny nose, and congestion, with effects lasting up to three months after treatment (McDonald, 2018).

 

  • A 2013 randomized controlled trial reported that acupuncture led to symptom reduction and a decreased need for antihistamines in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (Brinkhaus, B et.al,2013)

 

  • A systematic review of 12 trials found that real acupuncture was significantly more effective than sham acupuncture and medication in treating allergic rhinitis (McDonald, 2018). Sham acupuncture is where no acupuncture points are used to create a placebo treatment.

 

How Acupuncture Works for Allergic Rhinitis

  • Regulating the Immune Response – Studies show that acupuncture reduces IgE levels and the release of inflammatory mediators like substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), which trigger allergy symptoms (McDonald, 2018).

 

  • Clearing Nasal Congestion – Stimulating points like LI20 and Bitong both located on the nose helps open nasal passages.

 

  • Reducing Histamine Sensitivity – Acupuncture modulates histamine receptor activity, lowering allergic inflammation. (McDonald et.al, 2013)

 

Many patients report improvement after just a few sessions, offering relief and fewer seasonal flare-ups. Patients will often feel a reduction, even after the first treatment. If you’re struggling with hay fever and looking for a natural, side-effect-free solution, acupuncture may be the answer.

 

During the treatments, I will use a combination of acupuncture, facial cupping, and massage to help relieve your symptoms. If you want to find out if this could be beneficial to you, I offer a 15-minute free consultation to discuss your symptoms and see if acupuncture is right for you.

 

References

Allergy UK (2023) Statistics and Figures, available at: https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/statistics-and-figures/ (Accessed:March 2025).

 Brinkhaus, B., Ortiz, M., Witt, C. M., Roll, S., Linde, K., Pfab, F., et al. (2013) ‘Acupuncture in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomized trial’, Annals of Internal Medicine, 158(4), pp. 225-234. Available at: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/0003-4819-158-4-201302190-00002 (Accessed:March 2025).

 McDonald, J. (2018) Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, Evidence Based Acupuncture. Available at: https://www.evidencebasedacupuncture.org/acupuncture-allergic-rhinitis/ (Accessed: 10 March 2025).

McDonald JL, Cripps AW, Smith PK, Smith CA, Xue CC, Golianu B. (2013) The anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture and their relevance to allergic rhinitis: a narrative review and proposed model. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Available at:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3586443/

NHS (2022) Allergic rhinitis, NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/ (Accessed:March 2025).

NHS (2024) Hay fever, NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/ (Accessed: March 2025)