Study of the Effects of Silver Nitrate in Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Rhinitis is defined as the presence of at least one of the following: congestion, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal itching and nasal obstruction. Other reported symptoms include throat clearing, headaches, facial pain, ear pain, itchy throat and palate, snoring and sleep disturbances. Risk factors include an atopic family history, IgE levels above 100 IU/mL before the age of six years, higher socioeconomic status and positive epicutaneous allergen testing.The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of application of topical 15% silver nitrate solution for treatment of allergic rhinitis. MATERIALS AND METHODSA descriptive study of total 100 patients clinically diagnosed with allergic rhinitis presenting with sneezing, rhinorrhoea and nasal obstruction were included in the study. 15% silver nitrate solution was used to cauterize the anterior part of both inferior turbinates and the corresponding parts of the nasal septum over an area of 1 sq. cm. This was repeated for five weeks at weekly interval. Settings and Design-The study was conducted for a period of one year from Nov 2005 to Nov 2006 at Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangalore. RESULTSOut of 100 cases, 55% were females and 45% were males. Out of the 100 patients, 89 were male and 16 were female. Their age ranged from 18 -59 years. We found 73 out of 93 cases improved after five applications of 15% silver nitrate, giving a successful rate of 78.49%. CONCLUSIONApplication of silver nitrate to inferior turbinates for nasal obstruction is effective in upto 78.49% cases. It is well tolerated, carried under local anaesthesia, is cheap and can be carried out at any outpatient clinic with minor side effects. KEYWORDSAllergic Rhinitis, Silver Nitrate. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Narayan RS. Study of the effects of silver nitrate in treatment of allergic rhinitis.