A STUDY ON THE ROLE OF PROBIOTICS IN NASAL ALLERGY

INTRODUCTION: One of the major components of the commensal microbial flora, which is being frequently used as probiotics in the intestinal tract of humans, is Lactobacilli. It exerts health benefits beyond inherent basic nutrition, and its role in increasing the immunomodulating capacity of the host is widely accepted. In the treatment of allergic diseases, the beneficial effect of probiotics has been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE This study was aimed to observe the effectiveness of probiotics in reducing the symptoms of nasal allergy. METHODS Total 50 patients suffering from Allergic Rhinitis (AR) were administered with probiotics for a period of six weeks post which the VAS and IgE scores of the symptoms (Rhinorrhea, Sneezing, and Nasal obstruction) were statistically analyzed. The pre and post treatment VAS and IgE scores were collected and analyzed. RESULTS It showed that there was a reduction in the scores after the administration of probiotics. CONCLUSIONS This prospective study demonstrated the presence of significant improvement in the VAS and IgE scores among the following nasal symptoms - Rhinorrhea, Sneezing, and Nasal obstruction with the administration of probiotics in the patients suffering with AR. KEYWORDS Allergic rhinitis, probiotics, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea and sneezing.