Rhinolight Phototherapy

While we can achieve good symptom control for most people with medication, the symptoms return as soon as the medication is stopped. Therefore medications are always required to keep symptoms under control. No-one, patient or treating doctor, likes using/prescribing long term medication. Rhinolight endonasal phototherapy offers patients an excellent drug free alternative. Rhinolight can be considered an additional option to control allergy symptoms. 

Yes, endonasal phototherapy treats the nasal lining regardless of which inhalent allergens triggers the problem. Therefore, Rhinolight is effective against all inhalent allergens including pollen, house dust mite, animal dander and moulds. Although it is highly affective at treating allergic rhinitis, it will not have a significant impact on allergic eye symptoms.

Rhinolight treatment reduces the level of the allergic inflammatory response (allergic response) in the nose and sinuses that is triggered by allergens such as pollen, house dust mite, animal dander and mould in allergically sensitised individuals. This is achieved through the inhibition and destruction of the allergy cells which have migrated to the nasal mucosa following exposure to the specific allergen. These migrating immune cells are not required for the normal function of the nasal mucosa.

Rhinolight is used for short, sharp treatments with the benefits lasting for months (or longer). There are many medical reports available online for both Rhinolight phototherapy and other forms of UV phototherapy used for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. You can review some of them on this pdf.

A treatment cycle consists of 2 Rhinolight treatments per week for 3 or 4 consecutive weeks. Each treatment lasts less than 6 minutes. This is then repeated 6-12 months later. 

The first treatment cycle usually reduces the symptoms of rhinitis by about a third. The booster cycle 6-12 months later improves symptoms by up to 95%. A small number of people will not experience a substantial benefit from the first round and will therefore no go on to any further treatment.  

For grass pollen hay fever an initial treatment in April or May might offer enough protection for the summer. Sufferers of severe allergic rhinitis may require annual booster cycles.

No. There are no guarantees of success but based on the results of the many thousands of patients who have been treated with U/V phototherapy there is every reason to be optimistic that this will be a successful strategy for your nose/sinus issues. 

Following endoscopic examination of the nose, allergy testing and a detailed clinical history, our doctors will advise as to whether or not you are a suitable candidate for treatment with Rhinolight.

This varies from patient to patient and relates to the severity of the nasal/sinus issue, length of time troubled with allergy symptoms and age of patient. It takes up to 3 weeks to experience the full benefits of treatment but almost every patient reports progress within 2 weeks. That said, some adult allergy sufferers report significant improvement after even the first treatment. Some patients may experience mild congestion around session 6 of treatment due to dryness but this doesn’t last and settles soon.

Using a special hand held device U/V and visible light is directed into the nasal passages. You can see this in action below on YouTube.

Before starting the patient must clear their nose properly. If the nose is blocked a decongestant  spray such as Otrivine may be used before treatment. 

Rhinolight treatment is a painless. Each treatment lasts less than 6 minutes (<3 minutes each nostril) and patients are typically in and out of clinic within 10 minutes.

Endonasal phototherapy uses a specific narrow range of UV-A and UV-B light to treat the inflammation and tissue swelling that occurs within the nose due to recurrent allergic challenge. This is considered a safe range of U/V light for medical therapy and causes neither heat nor pain on the treated surface.

Short lived dryness of the nasal lining can occur during treatment. This can easily be resolved using a moisturising nasal spray or gel.

Yes, Rhinolight endonasal phototherapy is safe during pregnancy. Indeed it is very often the preferred treatment modality used during pregnancy when oral and inhaled medicines are avoided or used only with significant caution. 

It is noteworthy that during pregnancy hormonal changes often lead to the worsening of rhinitis symptoms. It is known that 20% of pregnant women suffer from Pregnancy Rhinitis.

Yes, endonasal phototherapy is safe for breastfeeding mothers. Rhinolight is not absorbed beyond the nose and therefore it cannot be transfer to mothers milk.

Yes. Rhinolight endonasal phototherapy is particularly useful for elite athletes whose are unable to avail of standard medication treatment options due to anti-doping requirements. UV light does not penetrate beyond the treatment area of the nasal mucosa and cannot be carried in the blood stream.

Yes, Rhinolight can be used to complement whatever anti-allergy medication you are taking. Rhinolight will often reduce your need for ongoing anti-allergy medications.

No. Rhinolight is a specially tailored light therapy designed by medical doctors experienced in U/V therapy. Lamps sold in shops or online for home use are typically ineffective and may not be safe. Only medical doctors can administer treatment with Rhinolight. 

No. Unfortunately, you will not specifically be reimbursed for Rhinolight treatment.

For any part of your expenses not covered by your insurer, you should be able to claim against tax through the Irish Governments Revenue Online Services (ROS). 

Yes. If two members of same family are having this treatment AND attending at the same time for the sessions then we will charge ½ price for the second patient. For more than 2 members of same family please contact us for advice.