Are you excited for fall? What’s not to love about the
vibrant colors of New England in the fall? It’s a time to get out our cozy
sweaters, enjoy the crisp fall air, cheer on the Patriots and Red Sox (if they
get the AL Wildcard spot…) and for some people, sneeze a lot. Yes,
unfortunately, many people experience watery eyes, sinus pain and other allergy
symptoms when fall arrives. This annoying phenomenon can occur even if you made
it through spring without sneezing.
That’s because even though the symptoms of fall and
spring allergies are the same, the triggers are different. So it’s definitely
possible to enjoy one season allergy-free but suffer through another. And
because there are more culprits to blame for fall allergies, many people
experience the adverse effects.
THE SYMPTOMS OF FALL ALLERGIES
We tend to hear more about spring allergies, but fall
allergies can be just as unpleasant. Symptoms often include:
● Sneezing
● Runny nose
● Itchy or watery eyes
● Headaches
● Sinus pain or pressure
● Increased asthma symptoms
These symptoms can appear when you’re exposed to an
airborne allergy trigger. Common sense would suggest that the best solution may
be to avoid the trigger, but, of course this isn’t always possible. Especially
if you’re looking to make the most of apple picking, pumpkin picking and
hayrides!
Because allergies are often due to weaknesses in the
adrenal, immune, or the digestive system, sometimes a more lasting - and
practical - approach is to treat allergies from the inside out, by getting to the
root cause within your body and preventing future allergies during the change
of seasons.
FALL
ALLERGY TRIGGERS
The environment goes through seasonal cycles, and
observing those changes is one of the pleasures of the great outdoors. Who
doesn’t love to see the leaves turn to bright colours every fall?
However as a seasonal allergy sufferer, changing
seasons can often mean the start of unpleasant symptoms. As a result, just when
you thought you had things under control, the natural cycle of our environment
creeps up to create a whole new set of sensitivities and reactions.
Some
of the allergy challenges specific to fall include:
● Airborne pollens are more
plentiful, especially on windy days when they are blown off blooms and into the
atmosphere.
● Mold spores love the
fallen leaves and damp grass of this time of the year.
● Cooler temperatures prompt
us to close windows and seal up our homes, so allergens are trapped inside.
● When we bring out our
cold-weather clothes and comforters, we can stir up dust - and with it, dust
mites.
● People tend to think that
pollution is worse in the summer. However, the cooler days of fall and winter
can create an inversion in which pollution from heating systems, vehicle
exhaust, and industrial pollution get trapped under the warmer layer of air.
● Your best friend may also
be exacerbating your allergies. As your pets’ coats shed and thicken in
preparation for the winter months, dander and fur become a greater presence in
your home.
4
NATURAL WAYS TO CONTROL FALL ALLERGIES
Instead of moving to the southern hemisphere every
fall, you can gain control of fall allergies by working with your body’s immune
system and adapting your environment.
1.
HEPA FILTER
No matter how careful you are with keeping outside
pollution from getting into your home, allergens can still get into your home.
After all, you have to open the door many times a day, so they can easily enter
uninvited. Using an air purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)
filter can significantly reduce airborne allergens like dust, dust mites,
pollen, mold spores, and pet dander. HEPA filters trap these allergens and lock
them away. If you’re particularly sensitive to allergens, it could also be
helpful to use a vacuum cleaner that also has a HEPA filter so that you can
allergen-proof your home even more.
2.
NASAL IRRIGATION
Flushing the nose and sinus with saline solution twice
a day goes a long way in ensuring that congestion-causing allergens like
pollen, spores, dust and dander are expelled before they can settle in and
cause the symptoms that make it hard to enjoy the change of seasons.
Because your eyes, nose, and throat are connected,
nasal irrigation or using a Neti Pot is a great way to naturally remove
allergens. If you choose to make your own saline solution it’s important to
make sure the water you use is distilled or purified so no microorganisms are
present.
3. ELIMINATION
DIET
If your allergies are unbearable and the above
solutions fail to provide relief, it might be time to try an elimination diet,
temporarily removing common inflammatory foods to provide your gut the
opportunity to heal. Optimal gut health can give your body the strength to
better deal with allergens.
As well, sensitivity to airborne allergens and
sensitivity to certain foods may be related. At the very least, when the body
is already on high alert coping with one form of sensitivity, it can be more
reactive overall, making it harder to fight off multiple allergens. The result
is often a worsening of any already-present allergy symptoms.
Elimination diets can be challenging and are best
implemented under the care of a Naturopathic Doctor.
4.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
Often allergies are the result of weakness or
exhaustion in the adrenal, immune, or digestive system. There are a number of
nutritional supplements that are known to support and strengthen each of these
systems. That means you’ll be better prepared to deal with allergens when they
appear.
●
Bioflavonoids and Vitamin C
While onions make our eyes tear up,
they also contain the bioflavonoid quercetin - a natural antihistamine - that
can treat allergy-related itchy, watery eyes! Quercetin also has antiviral
properties and can help reduce other symptoms including asthma, hay fever, and
even cold sores. Onions aren’t the only source of quercetin; apples, berries,
cruciferous vegetables like cabbage & cauliflower, and black tea are all
good sources.
Bioflavonoids work best when taken
with Vitamin C. That’s because they work together to amplify their effects,
keeping the immune system strong and prevent the formation of histamine (rather
than interfering with the histamine
the body produces like over-the-counter antihistamines do). My favorite Quercetin,
Vitamin C and Bioflavonoid products are: Orthomolecular Natural D-Hist and
Metabolic Maintenance Buffered c with Bioflavonoids.
●
Probiotics (such as lactobacillus
acidophilus)
When you take care of the good
bacteria in your gut, your digestive system and your immunity can benefit. And
a strong digestive system can combat allergies by keeping inflammation at bay.
Probiotics occur naturally in fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi and
sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, pickles, and miso soup. My favorite probiotics
are: Innate Flora 50-14
●
Local honey
The allergens you’re exposed to in
the fall will reflect the pollens that are circulating in the air where you
live. Honey produced in your area can contain these same pollens (thanks to
local bees). Some studies have found that consuming this honey can reduce
allergy reactions, possibly because you build up immunity to the
allergy-triggering pollen. So when you go to your local farm for apple picking,
pick up some honey to take home, too.
●
Fish oil
Omega-3 fatty acids offer an
effective defense against inflammation. Because inflammation plays a big role
in allergy symptoms, fish oil, which is rich in omega-3, can help reduce those
annoying autumn allergy symptoms. My favorite Omega-3 supplement is : Nordic
Naturals ProOmega
●
Vitamin D
Some research suggests that having
low levels of Vitamin D in your body can make you more susceptible to
allergies. So it may not be a coincidence that as the number of people
deficient in Vitamin D has gone up, so has the number of people developing
allergies.
●
Zinc
You may know that zinc lozenges are
great for the scratchy throat that can accompany a cold, but did you know that
getting enough zinc can help reduce your allergy symptoms, too? Zinc plays an
important role in how histamine is kept in check. A deficiency means that more
histamine can be released throughout the body, increasing your sensitivity to
allergens.
FINAL
THOUGHTS
Natural treatments for seasonal allergies often take
longer to take effect than typical medications. So it’s wise to begin natural
treatments one or two months before the season starts to help prepare your body
ahead of when allergens are at their most severe.
Not sure you can wait that long for relief? Try
pairing nasal irrigation or HEPA filter air purifiers with your nutritional
supplement of choice for speedier results.
Just remember: good health begins in the gut and we
recommend starting with ensuring your gut is balanced. If you’d like to get
tested to see what imbalances you may have, what foods and allergens you may be
sensitive to and get a clear picture of what’s going on so you can reduce the
risk of bad allergies, give Advanced Health & Wellness a call at 978-475-7676, we can help!