Seasonal Allergies

:: Farhana Choudhury ::

Seasonal Allergy is an allergic reaction typically only present for a season or part of a year such as spring. Often referred to as “hay fever” suggesting the cause of the problem, is misleading, as only a few people react to hay. Rather, most people respond to pollens from plants, grasses, and trees and usually when outdoor moulds release their spores or trees, grasses, weeds release tiny pollen particles into the air to fertilize other plants. It is very uncommon for allergies to cause a fever! Seasonal allergy is also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis. Plant pollen is one of the main contributing factor to allergies and one of the most widespread. These tiny round or egg-shaped male plant cells hitch rides on air currents to fertilise other plant parts. Basically, your body is objecting to the sexual activity of trees and grasses. However, not all pollen causes nasal allergies. When an allergen such as pollen enters the body of someone who is predisposed to allergies, it triggers an immune reaction and the production of allergen-specific antibodies. These antibodies migrate to mast cells lining the nose, eyes and lungs. During an allergic attack caused by inhaling pollen in grass, weeds or trees, the immune system goes into overdrive by overproducing histamines and other chemicals. Vegetables and fruits that contain the very same proteins, called profilins, found in various pollen culprits can also cause a similar, localized reaction. Allergy-causing pollens are• small and light enough to be carried on the wind• produced in huge quantities• found in areas where people live and play
How do I know that my allergy symptoms are not just a cold?• Mucous secretions are clear and runny• Nasal congestion• Post-nasal drip• Sneezes occur in rapid, multiple sequences• There is no fever and no muscle ache• Your nose, ears and throat (especially the palate or roof of the mouth) are itchy.• Your symptoms last longer than the typical cold, which usually lasts seven to 10 days.If you’re still not convinced, your doctor can perform skin or blood tests to confirm whether you are allergic to something.Not all people experience all of these symptoms, and in some people, only one symptom will predominate.Treating Seasonal Allergies WITHOUT Medications
• Don’t rub your eyes as this will make it worse• Use artificial tears to dilute and remove allergens, these can be bought over the counter at pharmacy or opticians. DO NOT use eye drops containing vasoconstrictors all the time, save it for when you really need to reduce redness for when you go out or meetings.• Use cool compresses regularly to soothe and reduce swelling of the lids.• Avoid contact lens use – Allergens stick to them and will make your symptoms worse• Avoid the outdoors when pollen counts are high, especially early morning and late afternoon).• Change your sheets and pillowcases frequently• Consider replacing carpets with hardwood or laminate flooring• Make sure your vacuum cleaner uses a hepa filter, which does not recirculate particles back into your home. • Keep windows closed during peak seasons- both car and house. This is especially important on windy days.• Use air purifiers and ionisers as this can reduce pollen levels indoors.• Use saline nasal spray to remove mucous crusts in the nose. Removing these crusts with saline spray also lets steroid nasal sprays work better as they can better contact the nasal lining.• Saline lavage, with a bulb syringe, or a NETI pot, may help some people who experience a lot of congestion or postnasal drip, and are willing to learn the technique.
• Warmed saline should be used. The solution can either be bought or mixed at home
EatSpicy Foods – Spice it up! The reason is quite logical. The spicier the food, the more likely you will thin the mucous and clear your nasal passages. Other spices and foods that you may want to try are cayenne pepper, hot ginger, and fenugreek, onion and garlic.
Experts also suggest eating plenty of foods high in antioxidants include salmon, berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries), red kidney beans, walnuts, apples, and oranges.
Increase in your Diet• Beta-carotene and Vitamin C rich foods – These include bright red, orange, yellow and dark green vegetables and fruit. Vitamin C can reduce overall histamine production, and is therefore considered to be a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which boosts the integrity of the mucous membrane. All fruit and vegetables are also good sources of other antioxidants, these include vitamins A, C, E, zinc and selenium and are vital to support the immune system. 
• Essential Fatty Acids – Eat foods rich in omega 3 and 6 essential fats, these can be found in oily fish, nuts, seeds, and their oils. These contain prostaglandins, hormone like chemicals with anti-inflammatory properties, and may help reduce symptoms of hayfever. 
• Garlic and Onions – These are a good source of quercetin, another powerful anti-inflammatory that stabilizes the membranes of the cells that release histamine and therefore allergic symptoms. Garlic and onions also boost the immune system by increasing production of white blood cells, which deal with allergic reactions. Quercetin can also be found in blue-green algae, spirulina, chlorella and kelp.
• Ginger also slows histamine production and a few slices can be put in hot water with lemon or added to cooking. • Bromelain in pineapple and nuts is also useful in boosting the anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, it may be better in supplement form as these foods are fairly common allergens. www.fooddoctor.com
What you don’t eat can matter just as much as what you do to treat or prevent allergies. Experts say there is a connection between food intolerance and seasonal allergies. The best approach is to pay close attention to what you eat if/when you find yourself suffering from an allergic reaction.