WebMD Medical News Brenda Goodman, MA Laura J. Martin, MD Sept.
15, 2011 -- Shooting a quick blast of carbon dioxide gas into
the nose may ease some allergy symptoms, and the relief appears
to last for about four hours. When carbon dioxide (CO2) is blown
through the sinuses in a kind of pressurized gas rinse, it may
relieve symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and a runny
nose, according to a new study. CO2 is a colorless, odorless gas
that is exhaled with each breath. It also puts the "fizz" into
soft drinks and is frozen to make dry ice. And CO2 appears to
work pretty quickly for allergy relief, says study researcher
Thomas B. Casale, MD, chief of allergy and immunology at
Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. "In this study it was within
30 minutes, and in a previous study we did it was within 10 to
20 minutes. So for patients that are having significant
symptoms, it could provide very rapid relief." Side effects were
generally short-lived, but included headaches, tearing, and nose
pain. Casale, who h