Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Children with Asthma and/or Allergic Rhinitis in Van

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) methods, the prevalence of their use, and to assess the factors that influence using these methods in children with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis in Van. Material and Methods: The study was conducted between June 2015 and January 2016. A survey form consisting of 15 questions was prepared. These questions were posed to the parents of the children with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis who were being followed-up at the pediatric allergy and immunology outpatient clinic. Results: The study included 127 parents of children aged 2-17 years. The mean age of the patients was 7.9 ± 3.6 years. 62 (48.8%) of the 127 parents stated that they had used CAM methods at any time of their life. 9 (14.5%) of the CAM users thought that they had benefited from these methods. The most common modality was molasses used in 45 (72.5%) of the patients. 44 (70%) of the patients used herbs and spices (linden, rosehip, mountain thyme, black pepper, cinnamon, etc.), 23 (37%) used honey, 13 (20%) used quail eggs, 10 (16.1%) used olive oil, 6 (9.6%) used cow’s milk, 1 (1.6%) used bee milk, 1 (1.6%) used bee pollen and 1 (1.6%) used Vicks application to the chest region. Most of the parents had accessed information about CAM methods through a herbalist and the media. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of reported CAM use among patients with diagnosed asthma and/or allergic rhinitis in Van was found to be high (48.8%) and at a similar rate with other regions of our country, with molasses (72.5%) being the most popular modality. The pediatric allergy specialist should have knowledge about these methods and inform parents about their possible side effects.