Halt Your Hay Fever

While most of us expect improved weather in the springtime. Many others have hay fever caused by pollens that leave them sneezing, wheezing, itching and even red and swollen.

You see when some individuals come into contact with pollens their immune system has an overactive response and subsequently release histamines.

This histamine release is responsible for causing the signs and symptoms of hay fever.

Most people use antihistamines to help the symptoms quickly. And this does help control symptoms.

However, the root cause is an imbalance in the immune system and antihistamines will not stop hayfever from re-occurring.

For a long-term solution, we have to look at other factors that may be contributing to the increased immune response and histamine release.

Factors that affect allergies include:

• Food sensitivities
• Gut Dysbiosis
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Deficiencies: Vitamin C, A, D and Zinc
• Inflammation
• Toxicity
• Chemical exposure
• Mould exposure
• Adrenal fatigue
• Stress
• Liver dysfunction

As part of the treatment for hay fever, naturopaths at Your Wellness Centre assess various contributing factors that may be affecting symptoms. Naturopaths then go about providing an individualised approach to treatment.

Naturopathic treatment for allergies and hay fever also include herbs such as Albizzia and Baical skullcap which can benefit and modulate the immune response. Quercetin can help reduce elevated histamine release.

A diet that supports optimal digestive health and immune function is beneficial too.

Since there is a high production of histamine in hayfever it is wise to reduce histamines if we can.

Histamine is released when we come into contact with triggers such as dust grass or pollen.

It is responsible for causing an inflammatory response resulting in swelling sneezing and itching.

If you are experiencing hayfever it is a good idea to limit foods that contain high levels of histamine, to help reduce these symptoms. See the list provided below.

Foods high in histamine include:

• Dairy
• Cheeses
• Preserved meet
• Avocado
• Olives
• Tinned fish
• Vinegar
• Canned or tinned food
• Bananas
• Shellfish
• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Nuts: walnuts and cashews

If you find you are sneezing far too much this Spring and wish to reduce your allergies, why not make an appointment with a naturopath at Your Wellness Centre to see what we can do for you.

You can book your appointment today simply by clicking here. Alternatively, ring us at 03 9879 9596 or send us an email at health@yourwellnesscentre.com.au.

If you are unable to make the journey, simply book for a Telehealth appointment, where we can have either a phone or video consult, depending on your preferences.