[The efficacy of subterranean therapy in the salt chamber of Kinga Spa in Wieliczka for patients suffering from allergic rhinitis].

42 patients (27 women and 15 men aged 14-65 years) suffering from atopic and non atopic rhinitis were submitted for 24 days to the subterraneo-therapy in salt chambers of Kinga Spa in Wieliczka during the exacerbation of their illness. 20 patients suffered from pollen or dust mites allergy and the next 22 patients from non atopic rhinitis with recurrent nasal polyposis. In the first week and at the end of the therapy rhinoscopy, peak nasal inspiratory flow and smell were evaluated as well as daily symptoms score was noted in each treated patient. The results of performed observations indicate that unrelatively to the type of the rhinitis: 1. the nasal symptoms (running nose, sneezing, block of the nose) resolved directly during the stay of the patient in the salt chamber but the more constant effect was visible with the time of the therapy. 2. an increase in the peak nasal expiratory flow was connected with the decrease of nasal mucosal edema, 3. the smell disturbances disappeared in the patients together with the decrease of mucosal edema. The observed changes seem to be connected with the influence of the salt chambers' microclimate on the cells osmolarity disturbances in the nasal mucosa provoked by the non infectious chronic inflammation.