Alternative products to treat allergic rhinitis and alternative routes for allergy immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Some alternative products instead of immunotherapy are used in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODS: In this paper, alternative products to treat allergic rhinitis and alternative routes for allergy immunotherapy are reviewed.

RESULTS: Alternative products and methods used instead of immunotherapy are tea therapy, acupuncture, Nigella sativa, cinnamon bark, Spanish needle, acerola, capsaicin (Capsicum annum), allergen-absorbing ointment, and cellulose powder. N. sativa has been used in AR treatment due to its anti-inflammatory effects. N. sativa oil also inhibits the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The beneficial effects of N. sativa seed supplementation on the symptoms of AR may be due to its antihistaminic properties. To improve the efficacy of immunotherapy, some measures are taken regarding known immunotherapy applications and alternative routes of intralymphatic immunotherapy and epicutaneous immunotherapy are used.

CONCLUSION: There are alternative routes and products to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy.