Abstract

Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic condition marked by sneezing, nasal itching, and watery discharge, significantly affecting quality of life. This case report presents a 34-year-old woman with chronic allergic rhinitis persisting for 13 years following childbirth and environmental exposure (stone-cutting dust). Conventional medicines provided only temporary relief. Homeopathic treatment with Staphysagria was prescribed based on individualized totality, including allergic symptoms and a deep-seated history of emotional suppression, marital stress, and unresolved grief. Significant improvement in frequency and intensity of sneezing, itching, and nasal discharge was noted within the initial weeks. This case highlights the effectiveness of individualized homeopathic treatment in chronic allergic rhinitis.

Keywords

Allergic Rhinitis, Staphysagria, Homoeopathy

Introduction

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is IgE-mediated immunologic response of nasal mucosa to airborne allergens and is characterized by watery nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, sneezing and itching in the nose. This may also be associated with symptoms of itching in the eyes, palate and pharynx. ⁽¹⁾ Homeopathy, based on individualized prescriptions, considers the physical and mental state of the patient for remedy selection. This case report demonstrates the role of Staphysagria in managing chronic allergic rhinitis in a patient with marked emotional suppression and long-standing distress.

Case Report

Patient Details

• Name: Mrs. XYZ
• Age: 34 years
• Gender: Female
• Occupation: Housewife
• Date: 04/08/2025

Presenting complaint

• Recurrent sneezing episodes (10–15 sneezes consecutively) since 13 years
• Onset: After childbirth and after exposure to stone-cutting dust
• Sneezing followed by profuse watery nasal and ocular discharge
• Itching in face, nose, and throat; sensation as if insects crawling
• Symptoms persist unless anti-allergic medicines are taken
• Face became dark and dry over the years
• Fever during severe episodes
• Modalities:
  • Aggravation: Weather change, dust, strong smell, opening flour container, heat, sweat, high summer, night sleeplessness
  • Amelioration: None marked
• No nasal blockage

Triggers

• Dust exposure
• Strong smells
• Heat and perspiration
• Handling flour
• Weather change

Past History: 

• Nothing Significant

Family History:

• Mother: Asthmatic on rx
• Father: HTN on Rx
• Sibling: 2 Younger Sisters: Healthy and living well And 1 Younger brother: Healthy and living well

Personal and Emotional History

• Prefers quiet surroundings; noise causes irritation during episode
• High irritability expressed mainly toward children
• Unfulfilled desire for higher education
• Marital disharmony: feels unsupported, undervalued, and unheard by spouse
• Feeling of being unappreciated and used
• Sensitive to criticism
• Suppressed anger; unable to express emotions freely
• Weeps only when alone; controls tears even during intense pain- she didn’t even cried during labour pain
• Childhood history of early responsibilities due to mother’s ill health
• Learned to tolerate pain and avoid expressing suffering, 
• Two past abortions under family pressure; emotional trauma around lack of care
• Strong sense of duty; continues work even when sick

Observation: Laughing while narrating painful emotions

Physical Generalities

• Desire: for hot food and sweets, Needs spicy taste after sweets
• Aversion: Nothing specific
• Appetite: Normal
• Thirst: Normal
• Urine: Clear, No smell
• Stool: No difficulties, once a day
• Sleep: Delayed onset, heavy morning sleep
• Dreams: Nothing specific
• Thermals: Sensitive to extremes of temperature – Cannot tolerate cold air on face; dislikes AC airflow
• Habits: Nill

General Physical Examination and vitals

• General appearance: Face dry, darkened
• Temp: Afebrile
• Pulse: 85/min
• Spo2: 98%
• ENT: No significant findings
• Respiratory system: No significant findings

Systemic Examination:

• Respiratory system: AEBE- Normal
• CVS: S1,S2 – heard
• CNS: Conscious and oriented
• GIT: No tenderness, Bowel sound- heard
• ENT: No significant abnormality detected

Diagnosis

• Clinical Diagnosis: Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
• Basis: Recurrent sneezing, nasal and ocular watery discharge, itching, triggers, chronicity

Totality of Symptoms

• Suppressed anger
• Ailments from humiliation, marital stress
• Sensitive to criticism
• Feeling of being unappreciated and used
• Duty-bound, responsible, never refuses work
• Laughter while narrating suffering
• Desire for hot food and sweets
• Cannot tolerate cold air on face; dislikes AC airflow
• Delayed sleep
• Paroxysmal sneezing (10–15 times)
• Watery nasal and ocular discharge
• Itching with crawling sensation on face
• Dust, smell, weather change, heat, sweat

Repertorization: ⁽²⁾

1. Mentals – Ailments from anger, vexation suppressed, from
2. Mentals – Irritability
3. Mentals – Sensitive, reprimands, criticism, reproaches, to
4. Mentals- Quiet wants to be
5. Mentals – Weeping, alone, when general
6. Eye – Lachrymation coryza, during
7. Nose – Discharge watery
8. Nose – Itching, crawling and tickling coryza, during
9. Nose – Sneezing genral paroxysmal

Differential Medicines: 

Nat-m.

Nux-vom.

Staph.

Final Remedy Selection

Rx, 

Staphysagria 200C single dose

Pl 30 4 pills TDS for 15 days

Justification: ^{(3) (4) (5)}

• Deep emotional suppression
• Long-standing humiliation and unexpressed anger
• History of domination and insult
• Weeping alone; dignified suffering
• Duty-bound nature, sensitivity to criticism
• Physical hypersensitivity matching Staphysagria

Follow-Up 

Date: 18/08/2025

• Reduction in sneezing episodes, taken antiallergy medicine 3 times in this duration
• Decrease in facial itching and crawling sensation
• Nasal and ocular discharge reduced
• Sleep pattern improved
• Comparatively calmer interactions with children

Rx, 

Sl 30 single dose

Pl 30 4 pills TDS for 1 month

Date: 15/09/2025

• Sneezing episodes reduced, taken antiallergy medicine only once in this duration
• Nasal and ocular discharge reduced
• Sleep: Sound
• Better tolerance to environmental triggers
• Patient expressed feeling “relieved from inside” and emotionally lighter

Rx, 

Sl 30 single dose

Pl 30 4 pills TDS for 1 month

Date: 13/10/2025

• Sneezing episodes reduced, No need to take antiallergy medicine
• Nasal and ocular discharge reduced
• No irritability

Rx, 

Sl 30 single dose

Pl 30 4 pills TDS for 1 month

Date: 10/11/2025

No episode

No irritability

Patient is feeling well

Rx, 

Sl 30 single dose

Pl 30 4 pills TDS for 1 month

Discussion

This case demonstrates the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicine in chronic allergic conditions. While allergic rhinitis typically presents with physical symptoms, the underlying maintaining cause in this patient was emotional trauma, suppressed anger, and years of unexpressed distress. Staphysagria, known for its action on suppressed emotions, humiliation, and hypersensitivity, helped managing both on emotional and physical planes.

Homeopathy considers the patient as a whole, and matching the psychological constitution with the physical symptomatology often leads to long-term improvement. The significant reduction in allergic episodes and improvement in emotional well-being highlight the holistic potential of homeopathic treatment.

Conclusion

Individualized homeopathic treatment with Staphysagria 200C resulted in significant improvement in a chronic case of allergic rhinitis that was unresponsive to conventional treatment. Addressing emotional suppression and psychological stressors played a key role in achieving overall recovery.

References:

1. PL Dhingra SD. Diseases of EAR, NOSE and THROAT & HEAD and NECK SURGERY. 6th ed. Dutta S, editor.: Elsevier, a division of Reed Elsevier India Private Limited.; 2014.
2. R. VZ. Complete Repertory..
3. Boericke W. Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica. Low Price Edition ed. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers Pvt Ltd; 2008.
4. Phatak SR. Materia medica of homoeopathic medicines New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P; 2008.
5. J.T.Kent. Lectures on HOMOEOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA. Low Price edition ed. New Delhi: B.JAIN PUBLISHERS (P) LTD.; 2002.
6. PL Dhingra SD. Diseases of EAR, NOSE and THROAT & HEAD and NECK SURGERY. 6th ed. Dutta S, editor.: Elsevier, a division of Reed Elsevier India Private Limited.; 2014.
7. R. VZ. Complete Repertory..
8. Boericke W. Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica. Low Price Edition ed. New Delhi: B Jain Publishers Pvt Ltd; 2008.
9. Phatak SR. Materia medica of homoeopathic medicines New Delhi: B. Jain Publishers (P; 2008.
10. J.T.Kent. Lectures on HOMOEOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA. Low Price edition ed. New Delhi: B.JAIN PUBLISHERS (P) LTD.; 2002.