Homoeopathic treatment of nasal congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhea and nasal itching in adults

INTERVENTION: Intervention1: Individualized homoeopathic medicines plus concomitant care: Intervention is planned as administering indicated homoeopathic medicines in centesimal potencies (CH). Each dose will consist of 3‐4 globules (no. 40) of cane sugar, moistened with the indicated medicine (preserved in 90% v/v ethanol), to be taken orally on a clean tongue in an empty stomach; dosage and repetition depending upon the individual requirement of the cases. Patients will be advised to refrain from handling the globules or from eating, drinking, smoking or brushing their teeth within 30 minutes of taking the globules and will be asked to suck the globules rather than simply swallowing those. Single individualized medicine will be prescribed on each occasion considering presenting symptom totality, clinical history details, constitutional features, miasmatic expressions, repertorization using HOMPATH/RADAR software when required with due consultation of Materia Medica and due consensus among three homoeopaths. All the medicines and sundry items will be procured from a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified firm. Concomitant care for perennial allergic rhinitis includes steam inhalation, allergen avoidance, saline nasal irrigation, applying warm and cool compress for itchy eyes. Route of administration: per oral. Duration of therapy: 3 months. Control Intervention1: Identical looking placebo plus concomitant care: This arm will receive a placebo. The placebo is identical in appearance to the verum. Each dose of placebo will consist of 3‐4 globules (no. 30) of cane sugar, moistened with rectified spirit, to be taken orally on a clean tongue with an empty stomach; dosage and repetition depend upon the individual requirement of the cases. Concomitant care for perennial allergic rhinitis includes steam inhalation, allergen avoidance, saline nasal irrigation, applying warm and cool compress for itchy eyes. Route of administration: per oral. Duration of therapy: 3 months. CONDITION: Health Condition 1: J309‐ Allergic rhinitis, unspecified PRIMARY OUTCOME: Total Nasal Symptoms Score [TNSS]Timepoint: At baseline and every month upto 3 months SECONDARY OUTCOME: Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile version 2 [MYMOP‐2] questionnaireTimepoint: Baseline and every month upto 3 months Mini‐ Rhino‐Conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire [Mini‐RQLQ]Timepoint: Baseline and every month upto 3 months Total Serum IgE level with absolute eosinophil countTimepoint: Baseline and third month INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Patient suffering from perennial AR of mild to moderate intensity [ICD 11 CA08.0Z]. 2. Age 18 to 65 years and of either sex. 3. History of recurrent attack of symptoms of perennial AR since childhood. 4. Elevated absolute eosinophil count and elevated total Serum IgE level.