Nasal Saline Irrigation Facilitates Control of Allergic Rhinitis by Topical Steroid in Children

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine whether nasal saline irrigation improved the symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis (AR) and whether nasal saline irrigation could be used as a complementary management of AR in children while less steroids were used. METHOD: 26 children with AR were divided into three groups and were given nasal saline irrigation and/or topical steroid. Symptoms and signs of AR and mucociliary clearance (MCC) were evaluated, and concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 in nasal secretion was detected. RESULTS: In AR children treated with nasal irrigation and tapered topical steroid at week 8 and week 12, a significant improvement in symptoms and signs was observed, and a significant decrease in the mean values of MCC and the mean concentrations of sICAM-1 in nasal secretions was also detected. CONCLUSION: Nasal saline irrigation can be viewed as a good adjunctive treatment option for AR. It permitted the use of less topical steroids for controlling AR in children, which will contribute to fewer side effects and less economic burden.