How a simple light treatment is easing sneezing and runny nose for allergy sufferers.

Rhinolight^® phototherapy is proving to be a simple and popular treatment among children and adults, for the safe and effective management of nasal allergy (hay fever) symptoms. Patients as young as 6, as old as 72 and all ages in between, are attending our allergy clinics in Bella Vista, Edgecliff and Wollongong to reap the benefits of Rhinolight^® phototherapy, a service which is not widely available in Australia.

And what patients are most surprised about, is it costs them nothing to try! Sophie Davidson, Registered Nurse, reports about Rhinolight^® phototherapy treatment.

Rhinolight^® is a phototherapy treatment of the nasal mucosa suitable for patients who suffer from allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Rhinolight^® treatment reduces the body’s immune response to inhaled allergens (such as pollens, moulds, animal dander and mites) and the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, by inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells and inducing apoptosis of lymphocytes and eosinophils within the nasal cavity (Brehmer, 2010).

Rhinolight^® is quick and easy. Treatment involves shining a special wavelength light source (5% UV-B, 25% UV-A plus 70% visible light) into each nasal cavity for 2-3 minutes at a time. Once deactivated, the ability of the mast cells to recognise and respond to inhaled allergens becomes impaired; hindering the release of the inflammatory markers (such as histamine) which are responsible for the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (Rhinolight Ltd., 2014).

The effectiveness and safety of Rhinolight^® phototherapy has been investigated in numerous clinical trials worldwide. Rhinolight^® is proven to significantly decrease the severity of common symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal itching and nasal blockage, for up to 12 months (Koreck et al., 2005). It is appropriate for use on children as young as 6 years of age, and is safe to perform during pregnancy and while women are breastfeeding. Rhinolight^® is also recommended for athletes for whom the use of steroids is prohibited (Rhinolight Ltd.).

Rhinolight^® is painless and associated with minimal side effects. There is no heat or burning felt by patients during treatments. Patients may experience a dry, crusty nose during the course of the treatments, however this is only temporary and can easily be remedied with the application of a vitamin A or E oil.

Rhinolight^® phototherapy is indicated for chronic sufferers of seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis who are unresponsive to, or inappropriate candidates for, conventional anti-allergic treatments. For patients with severe symptoms, Rhinolight^® may be performed as a complimentary treatment, to enhance the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy or allergen immunotherapy (Rhinolight Ltd., 2014).

For the most effective relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms, patients are recommended to undergo eight Rhinolight^® treatments within 6 weeks. Often patients report symptom improvement within the first few treatments.

At the Australian Allergy Centre Rhinolight^® is performed with no additional charges incurred by the patient.

Would you like to know if Rhinolight^® treatment would be an option for you? Call our team at 1300 MY ALLERGY or book an online appointment to see our Allergy Doctors.

References:
Brehmer, D. 2010. Endonasal phototherapy with Rhinolight^® for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Expert Review of Medical Devices 7, 1, 21-26.
Koreck, A., Csoma, Z., Bodai, L., et al. 2005. Rhinophototherapy: A new therapeutic tool for the management of allergic rhinitis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 115, 3, 541-547.
Rhinolight Limited [Rhinolight Ltd.]. 2014. Rhinolight-IV Phototherapeutic Device: User manual. Szeged, Hungary: Author.