Otorhinolaryngologist’s view of the role of nasal vasoconstrictors in treating the symptoms of pediatric allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Introduction. Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common chronic upper respiratory diseases in children. Unfortunately, modern science has not made sufficient progress to cure allergic rhinitis permanently. Without eliminating exposure to the causative allergen, which is most often impossible, the treatment of this disease allows patients to achieve only some degree of management of symptoms, improving the patient’s quality of life. Pharmaceutical therapy is one of the most affordable and widely used methods for managing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Topical antihistamines are widely recognized as initial therapy in patients with mild to moderate allergic rhinitis, which may quickly lessen the severity of symptoms. To enhance the effect on the nasal obstruction symptom, preference is given to combination nasal drugs containing both an antihistamine and a decongestant. Clinical cases. This article presents three most common “patient profiles” aged 3, 5 and 8 years with allergic rhinitis, which showed clinical efficacy of the use of nasal antihistamine and decongestant combination drugs. A rational choice of a nasal combination drug for the management of symptoms of allergic rhinitis is substantiated in each clinical situation. Conclusion. The presented literature data and reviewed clinical cases has led the authors to conclude that topical combination nasal drugs containing antihistamines and decongestants are an effective and safe initial treatment of symptoms of pediatric allergic rhinitis.