Winter patch therapy for allergic respiratory diseases in children

Childhood allergic rhinitis (also known as allergic rhinitis) and asthma are chronic inflammatory diseases that occur in the upper and lower airways and are closely related to allergic sensitivities. With chronic inflammation leading to airway hyperresponsiveness as the pathologic basis, allergic rhinitis and asthma have many correlations and similarities. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by itchy nose, frequent episodes of sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion; red, itchy and tearful eyes; and “allergic salute sign” (rubbing the nose like a soldier saluting). Bronchial asthma is characterized by recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, dyspnea, chest tightness, and is often accompanied by variable airflow obstruction and bronchial/respiratory hyperreactivity (bronchial hyperreactivity/respiratory hyperreactivity). In recent years, the incidence of allergic rhinitis and asthma has been high and increasing due to environmental pollution and other aspects. Among them, 1/3-1/2 of childhood asthma can migrate to adults. These two diseases can have a serious impact on the patient’s sleep, life, learning, etc., resulting in a significant decline in the quality of life. For the western drug treatment of these two diseases, in addition to H1 antihistamines and b2-agonists that alleviate symptoms in the acute phase, inhaled glucocorticoids and leukotriene receptor antagonists are mainly recommended. The above drugs are advantageous in controlling symptoms and minimizing airway inflammation. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a unique role in the maintenance treatment of the disease during the remission period and in the regulation of body mass. The “winter disease summer treatment” featuring summer acupoint therapy is widely recognized as an effective way to regulate allergic body mass during remission. Children over 3 years of age with no obvious allergic reaction to traditional Chinese medicine are suitable for acupoint therapy. Modern research has shown that acupressure therapy can regulate cellular immunity and humoral immunity, improve the endocrine function of thalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and thus improve the body’s ability to resist diseases. By stimulating the acupoints and absorbing the medicines, it can directly or indirectly adjust the function of the nervous system, which is conducive to the recovery of the body. Epidemiological investigations have found that the real peak of the onset of allergic diseases such as rhinitis and asthma is in the spring and fall seasons when allergens are prevalent. Utilizing the feature of fewer allergens in winter, “winter treatment for winter diseases”, taking corresponding Chinese medicine treatment measures to replenish the body’s yang energy, get rid of the body’s deposition of cold, and restore the balance of the body’s yin and yang, so as to regulate the allergic physique, is another important time for Chinese medicine to choose the right time for treatment.