Clinical efficacy and possible local hyperthermia mechanisms in allergic rhinitis I

We studied the clinical efficiency of nasal inhalation of heated aerosol and reactions of the nasal mucosa to humidified aerosol stimulation. Sneezing occurred in 42.8%, nasal discharge in 20.8%, improved nasal obstruction in 52.2% after 10 min. of local hyperthermia twice a day for 1 week in 27 perennial nasal allergy patients. After only 1 humidified aerosol stimulation at 43°C for 10 min. to nasal mucosa, no significant changes were seen in nasal resistance in healthy subjects, but resistance increased significantly 15 min. after stimulation in allergic rhinitis patients. The reaction of nasal mucosa to heated aerosol stimulation in allergic patients may therefore differ from that in healthy subjects.