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Trichloroacetic acid for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis with or without Rhinorrhea
  • Robert Schwartz,
  • Shaden Abdelhadi,
  • Zbigniew Ruszczak
Robert Schwartz
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Shaden Abdelhadi
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City
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Zbigniew Ruszczak
United Arab Emirates University College of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Abstract

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is well known in recent decades mostly through its application in cosmetology as a chemical peeling agent. However, it has been also used for chemosurgery across various medical specialties. TCA was first introduced to the local treatment of airborne allergies and rhinorrhea in the late 1980s and has since then widely studied, mostly in Japan, the Middle East, and Brazil. Numerous reports suggest that the nasal application may be effective and safe even in high concentrations. In this review, we are discussing the topical TCA application for local treatment and prevention of allergic rhinitis, a management option that is not well known in Europe and the Western hemisphere. We believe that TCA fits the ideal category for medication, being inexpensive, readily available, easy-to-use, and safe. We postulate its potential efficacy and urge consideration of new clinical trials. Local delivery of TCA in the form of contact application directly to the nasal cavity has a preventive effect neutralizing allergen entry points by blocking receptor cells and have therapeutic benefit for those in whom conventional therapies are ineffective or unpractical, and especially in areas or limited medical and financial resources.