Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)

First, check the cause

Hay fever is the nose reacting to pollen, dust mites, mold or pets. It is common, and often runs with asthma or eczema.

How it is treated

• Avoiding what sets it off, where you can.
• Rinsing the nose with salt water.
• A steroid nose spray and allergy tablets. These help the most people.
• Acupuncture: very thin needles. A long-established treatment for hay fever in Chinese medicine, it eases sneezing and a blocked nose, and works well alongside your sprays and tablets.
• Chinese herbs, prescribed for your pattern, to build up resistance and clear the nose. They are checked against the medicines you already take.
• Allergy testing, or a referral for allergy shots, if needed.

How many visits

Usually once a week at first, ideally starting before your bad season. Six to eight visits make a course; then you and Dr. Pan look at how much better you are: less sneezing, better sleep, less medicine.

Common questions

Do I need an allergy test?

A test is useful when the cause is unclear, or if you are thinking about allergy shots.

Are steroid nose sprays safe?

Used as directed, yes, for most people, even long term. They act mostly in the nose.

Can I use acupuncture with my allergy medicine?

Yes — they work well together. Keep taking your medicine as prescribed; never stop it on your own. As you get better, Dr. Pan may lower your medicine with you.