Allergy Relief for Spring

by Adelle Rutch
Flannerys Nutritionist – Maroochydore

Whilst spring is a time to enjoy the change from cool weather to warm, the longer days and beautiful flowers in bloom, it can be an uncomfortable time for some. Spring can bring the typical symptoms of seasonal allergy which can include itchy, watery, red eyes, sneezing, wheezing and skin rashes.

In short, an allergy is a reaction to a substance which causes an immune reaction within the body, triggering a histamine response. The elevated levels of histamine cause the above discussed symptoms.

Whilst this can be incredibly intolerable, it can be managed both proactively and reactively with natural remedies which is heartening! It is important to identify if your allergy gets worse during a particular season, or if they are in fact “simmering” throughout the year, only to then be exacerbated with a seasonal change.

Sometimes it’s helpful to see if there are other factors driving allergies and increasing inflammatory load on the body, including certain foods (this varies from individual to individual), mould exposure, dust mites, animal allergies or other environmental factors such as cleaning products or skincare.

Some products to consider for seasonal allergies flare-ups:

Inner Health Plus Advanced – This product contains the strain Lactobacillus Rhamnosus LGG, this strain has evidence that supports its use for atopic conditions.

Herbs of Gold Quercetin – This mix of quercetin and bromelain may assist with reducing inflammation within the airways and breaking up mucous. Quercetin in particular works by inhibiting the release of histamine. It has also been shown to inhibit the formation of IgE antibodies, another component within allergic responses.

Amazonia Raw C – Vitamin C supplementation and increasing vitamin C rich foods (citrus fruits, berries, green leafy vegetables as some examples) can help to modulate immune response and reduce allergic response.

Himalayan Chandra Neti Pot – The action of flushing the sinuses assists with clearing allergens from the nose and sinus passages. In Ayurvedic medicine it is said to assist with breathing and can have a multitude of beneficial impacts on our wellbeing.

Weleda Nappy Change Cream – Don’t be fooled! Most certainly not limited to those in nappies! This is a great cream to have within the house to treat a range of annoying insect bites that also appear when the weather warms up. The calendula and chamomile within this product may assist with reducing redness, inflammation and irritation of bites.

In addition to these supplemental suggestions, some other holistic lifestyle suggestions may include: Keeping the home well ventilated and free from mould. Use an air purifier if needed which may assist with air quality. Inhaling essential oils such as lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint and lemon can also be a pleasant and relaxing experience to help manage allergies. Supportive modalities such as acupuncture can also provide beneficial relief.

Speak to our in-store Nutritionists and Naturopaths for further support on how to manage your allergies before they hit this spring!