Q & A Thursday: how to minimise hayfever in Spring

Posted by kathryn in Seasonal Health and Q & A Thursday

A question from Andrew on the topic of hayfever:

With spring only a month away, are there any gentle methods (ie not anti-histamine drugs) to reduce the impact of spring related allergies such as hayfever? Are there different options for daytime and nighttime?

I’ve been a hayfever sufferer in the past, so I know all about the revolting experience it can be. Just as the weather starts warming up you’re hit with runny eyes, sneezing and a head full of snot, all of which makes for a pretty miserable spring.

There are some good natural alternatives and tricks to taking anti-histamines and now is a good time to start preparing yourself for the spring onslaught.

What is hayfever?

Hayfever, or allergic rhinitis, is an allergic response to an environmental allergen – ie there’s something in the world around you that’s setting off an allergic response in your body.

The inside of your nose is covered with a mucous membrane. As air passes through the nose it’s warmed, moistened and filtered. Substances like pollen and dust are trapped in the mucous membrane and they’re either excreted when you blow your nose, or they go down into your stomach and are broken down by gastric secretions.

However, in hayfever your body is hypersensitive to some of the dusts and pollens in the air. Rather than dealing with them normally, your body goes into over-drive, reacting to the allergens as though they presented a serious threat to your body. In reacting, your body produces loads more mucous and inflammation – hence the sneezing, itchy nose and watering eyes.

Why do you get it?

Hayfever is most commonly a product of your genes. This over-reactive immune system response is also seen in eczema, asthma, hayfever and hives, and these are all called atopic conditions. Atopy is generally passed down through families. Some people have hayfever in childhood, although for most people it develops later in life.

What to do about it?

Dealing with hayfever is a matter of both symptom relief, ie draining and drying up the nose, and reducing irritation, while also calming down the over-active immune system. There are various ways to do this, although not every measure works for every person.

1. Know your triggers?

Working what triggers your hayfever can help. Unless you’re living in a bubble, it’s impossible to avoid all pollens and dust, however an awareness of your triggers means you may be able to minimise your exposure. Keep a symptom diary and try to spot any patterns. For example, is your hayfever worse in the morning or evening? Does it flare-up when you’re walking in certain areas? Is it better at home or at work? Track your symptoms over a couple of weeks and then work out some strategies for avoiding your triggers.

2. Food decongestants

Some foods act as decongestants. These include garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish and hot foods (chilli, wasabi, etc). I’ve written about the wonderful effects of these before, so include lots in your diet.

3. Essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids and particularly the Omega 3s, are good for hayfever sufferers as they can help calm down the over-active immune response. To get an adequate amount of the essential fatty acids you need to have oily fish at least three times a week, or include lots of the vegetarian sources of Omega 3s.

4. Supplements & herbs

There are a number of supplements that can help with hayfever and for maximim effect, it’s good to start on these before hayfever season kicks in.

• horseradish and garlic tablets work really well for many people – they’re both natural decongestants
• vitamins A, C, E and the mineral zinc are important for the integrity of the mucous membranes in your nose.

Many supplement companies have hayfever blends in their range. These generally include a combination of the above herbs and nutrients.

5. A good diet

A healthy diet is (of course) important when dealing with hayfever. As well as including lots of Omega 3s, make sure you’re getting plenty of fruit and veg. Some of the antioxidants have an antiinflammatory effect and also help stabilise the immune system. Make sure you’re getting at least five serves of vegies and two of fruit.

Many people also find limiting the amount of dairy they eat a good strategy during hayfever season. While you may not actually be allergic to dairy, many find it increases the production of mucous – something you just don’t want in hayfever season! You can try this out for yourself by monitoring your symptoms after having some milk or cheese.

6. Aloe vera gel

If your hayfever is mild, then smearing some aloe vera gel on the inside of your nose, over the mucous membranes, can be a useful preventative measure. The gel helps to form a protective barrier, which physically stops allergens from irritating the mucous membranes. Aloe vera gel is available from most chemists and health food shops. Make sure you get a gel with a high percentage of aloe, at least 95%.

If your hayfever is mild then these measures should help relieve your suffering. However, more severe or chronic cases may need intensive treatment and I would advise you to seek advice from a herbalist, naturopath or allergy specialist.

02 August, 2007