What is Rhinolight Phototherapy?
Rhinolight Phototherapy is a drug free, pain free medical treatment for Allergic & Perennial Rhinitis, regardless of the triggering allergen.
It is a high-intensity ultraviolet light (UVA, UVB & visible light) inserted into the nasal passages to reduce & potentially eliminate the allergic response to allergens.
It blocks the release of the chemical histamine from the mast cells lining the nose & sinus surfaces. It destroys cells called eosinophils & lymphocytes which also cause allergy symptoms in the nose & the sinuses.
Rhinolight Phototherapy reduces the level of immune response (allergic response) in the nose/sinuses from allergy ‘attacks’, thereby reducing nasal congestion and sneezing symptoms.
Rhinolight Phototherapy does not damage healthy nasal tissue & therefore can be safely used as a long term treatment in allergic conditions affecting the nose & sinuses.
Thanks to the special composition of the light, patients do not experience any pain during the treatments.
Is it safe to use in children?
Yes. It is safe & effective for use in children & does not require long term, daily doses.
We treat children over the age of 6 years.
Is it safe in pregnancy/breastfeeding?
Yes. As the treatment is not absorbed by the body, it is safe for both pregnant women & those breastfeeding. It is very often the preferred treatment when oral & inhaled medicines are avoided or used with caution.
Why is Rhinolight Phototherapy recommended?
It is highly effective in relieving nasal allergy symptoms. Up to two-thirds of patients suffering from allergic rhinitis have experienced decreasing levels of symptoms, while some patients have experienced complete relief of their symptoms.
What does Rhinolight Phototherapy involve?
Before the 1st treatment, all patients are seen by Dr Kaulsay, when symptoms/allergies are assessed. He may then recommend a course of Rhinolight Phototherapy. A typical treatment program is 2 treatments a week for 6 – 8 treatments. A ‘booster’/top up/maintenance regime of 2 – 3 treatments early or late in the year may also be required. This can be decided on an individual patient basis, as patients are affected by different allergens & at different times of the year.
The patient will be booked in with the nurse to start the treatments. A scoring system is used to determine the extent of symptoms before & after Rhinolight Phototherapy, to assess the effectiveness of the treatments.
The patient and practitioner wears 100% UV filtration protective goggles during the treatments to protect the eyes from possible exposure to the UV light. The patient is asked to clear their nose and a decongestant spray may be used before the treatment.
Each treatment lasts from 2minutes 30 seconds, up to a maximum of 3 minutes per nostril.
Rhinolight Phototherapy may not be a complete substitute for standard medical therapy. Both Rhinolight and standard medical therapy may be used together
Side Effects:
Occasionally, dryness and crustiness of the nasal lining may occur, which can be a bit uncomfortable. This can be prevented and treated using Vitamin A oil drops/spray or a soothing nasal gel spray.
Success of treatment:
There are no guarantees of success with Rhinolight Phototherapy, but many thousands of patients have already been treated and have shown a decreasing level of symptoms, while some are completely symptom free.
How long before the treatment works?
This varies from patient to patient and relates to the severity of the nasal/sinus issue, length of time the allergy has been present and age of onset. Some patients report significant improvement after even one treatment, however, symptom reduction may not occur until after 5 or 6 treatments. In rare cases a worsening of symptoms may occur but this usually settles & is not a reason to stop the course of treatments.
Cost: €100.00 per treatment
Is Rhinolight Phototherapy covered by Health Insurance?
No. Unfortunately the health insurance companies do not reimburse for Rhinolight Phototherapy. We will issue receipts for the treatments, which can be claimed against tax on the Med 1 form.
Rhinolight Phototherapy was adopted from dermatology research where it has been used to modify the immune response in inflammatory skin disorders. After years of research and development, Rhinolight Phototherapy was developed to provide a solution for allergic rhinitis.
Dr Ranbir Kaulsay Consultant, Allergy Physician, Dublin Allergy Centre Ltd,
Bons Secours Consultants Clinic / Beacon Allergy Clinic – 085 2383373