Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
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- What is allergic rhinitis?
- Symptoms of allergic rhinitis
- Causes of allergic rhinitis
- Prevention of allergic rhinitis
- Risk factors for allergic rhinitis
- Complications of allergic rhinitis
- When to see a doctor about allergic rhinitis
- Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis
- Conventional treatment of allergic rhinitis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of allergic rhinitis
- Living with allergic rhinitis
- Caring for someone with allergic rhinitis
Alternative / complementary treatment of allergic rhinitis
The following are the treatments advocated by alternative therapists.
Herbs
There are a number of herbs with anti-inflammatory and immune boosting effects that are used to treat allergic rhinitis:
- Echinacea - studies show this potent herb, echinacea has a positive effect on stimulating the immune system to work properly, which in turn can reduce the allergic rhinitis symptoms
- Fenugreek - the spice fenugreek is traditionally used to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection in the nasal passages associated with sinusitis
- Garlic - studies show this potent herb / food clears nasal congestion, reduces symptoms and prevents infection in the nasal passages associated with sinusitis
- Horseradish - the spice horseradish is traditionally used to clear nasal congestion and prevent infection in the nasal passages associated with sinusitis
- Olive leaf - studies show the olive leaf herb reduces inflammation and clears up congestion in the sinus passages, reducing symptoms
Vitamins
Studies show that there are several vitamins which could be beneficial for treating allergic rhinitis symptoms:
- Betacarotene - the vitamin betacarotene is the precursor to vitamin A, so has the same properties on the mucous membranes
- Bioflavonoids - the antioxidants bioflavonoids, together with vitamin C, support the immune system to function correctly and reduces the severity of symptoms associated with any allergic reaction
- Vitamin A - the antioxidant vitamin A is required to keep the mucous membranes soft, moist and healthy, in order to prevent allergens from entering the body and causing an allergic reaction in the first place
- Vitamin B complex - all of the B vitamins are needed to help the immune system to function properly and reduce symptoms overall, since allergic reaction is stemmed
- Vitamin C - the antioxidant vitamin C, together with bioflavonoids, support the immune system to function more normally, by reducing the overactive response and so reduce the duration and severity of symptoms
- Vitamin E - studies show the antioxidant vitamin E helps to reduce symptoms of nasal congestion by reducing inflammation associated with allergic rhinitis
Minerals
Studies show that there are several minerals which could be beneficial for treating allergic rhinitis symptoms:
- Magnesium - the mineral magnesium relaxes body tissues and may help with reduction of inflammation and anxiety associated with allergic rhinitis
- Selenium - studies show the powerful antioxidant selenium may reduce length and severity of symptoms
- Zinc - studies show that zinc can greatly reduce length and severity of symptoms and help to more quickly heal the inflamed nasal tissues in people with allergic rhinitis
Other nutrients
Studies show certain nutrients have a beneficial effect on reducing length and severity of symptoms
- Alpha-lipoic acid - the nutrient alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant which can boost the immune system to help it function more normally and this can help reduce symptoms
- Essential fatty acids - studies show that the omega 3 essential fatty acids especially, can greatly reduce inflammation in the nasal passages (sinuses especially), open the airways to enable better breathing capacity and thus greatly reduce severity of symptoms. Mothers should ensure children who have allergic rhinitis have adequate levels of essential fatty acids in their diet to at least greatly reduce symptoms, if not prevent them from occurring in the first place
- Quercetin - studies the antioxidant nutrient quercetin assists in reducing inflammation and also reducing severity of symptoms. Quercetin is even more effective when combined with vitamin C and bioflavonoids
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Dietary modifications
There are a number of dietary modifications which can help reduce severity and duration of symptoms:
- Avoid foods that are mucous forming - certain foods such as dairy, processed foods (high sugar and high fat foods) tend to cause more mucous to form which can make symptoms worse. Try to avoid all forms of dairy (except yoghurt) and all processed foods when symptoms are at their worst
- Drink more fluids - water helps to hydrate the body and moisten the mucous membranes to keep the allergens out and prevent them from causing symptoms
- Eat more garlic and onions - as much as can be tolerated either fresh, cooked or as garlic supplements; both have anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce symptoms. These are two power foods that should be eaten on a daily basis to assist with preventing symptoms (if able to be tolerated, as some people's digestive system may not be able to handle them)
- Eat more oily fish - the fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, trout, tuna all contain omega 3 fatty acids which may reduce inflammation and severity of symptoms
- Eat more vegetables and fruit - they have a high content of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients such as antioxidants which may reduce severity and length of symptoms
- Eat more nuts - especially walnuts, as these foods contains essential fatty acids which may reduce inflammation associated with allergic rhinitis and so reduce severity of symptoms
- Eliminate food allergens - foods that trigger allergies should be avoided to reduce symptoms, such as cow's milk products, artificial food additives (colours, flavours and preservatives), nuts, soy and other potential allergen
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Lifestyle modifications
There are a number of lifestyle modifications that can be followed to reduce severity and duration of symptoms:
- Avoid the allergens - if you are allergic to dust mites, use a vacuum cleaner with an air filter, if you are allergic to certain foods, avoid them, if you are allergic to other substances, avoid them as much as possible, as this will help reduce symptoms
- Remove carpeting - having hardwood (or tiled floors) assists people with a great reduction in symptoms and prevent build-up of inflammation in sinuses. Carpets are great accumulators of dust, dust mites and any other particles that may cause an allergic reaction. People with allergic rhinitis have much less symptoms when they live in a home with hard flooring
- Rest properly - adequate amounts of sleep and rest gives the body the best chance of a quicker recovery and reduction in symptoms
- Shower after being outside - especially if it has been a very windy day, as this will remove any dust, pollens and other substances from your skin which could continue to cause allergies long after you have been inside
Alternative treatments
- Immunotherapy - this involves gradually increasing doses of the substance (allergen) to which the person is allergic over time, a little at a time. This has the effect of making the immune system less sensitive to that allergen and reducing symptoms
- Nasal douching - salt added to lukewarm water is added to a "neti pot" and used to wash over the eyes and into the nasal passages to help clear them and decongest them. This gets rid of the allergens in the eyes and nasal passages, reduces inflammation and opens up the nasal passages to enable better breathing (this can also be done with a bowl of lukewarm water and salt if the neti pot is not available)
- Nasal spray - there are two great nasal sprays that can be used to naturally treat inflammation in the nasal passages:
- Saline nasal spray - this nasal spray is basically water and salt and does not contain any artificial preservatives. It helps to moisten the nasal passages, reduces inflammation and reduces severity and duration of symptoms (use as directed)
- Herbal nasal spray - this type of nasal spray contains other beneficial nutrients such as eucalyptus and zinc, to provide relief of symptoms of nasal inflammation and so it reduces severity and duration of symptoms (use as directed)
- Steam inhalation - the steam breaks up the mucous in the nasal passages and lungs, so lessens nasal congestion and wheezing and also assists with better sleep. Children with allergic rhinitis should always be supervised when trying steam inhalation, as they could burn the skin on their face if they lean too closely to the hot water
- Vaseline - application of a little vaseline (or non perfumed, organic, natural lip balm) to the outside of the nostrils protects them by trapping pollen grains from entering the inner nasal passages and causing symptoms
Always ensure that you notify your medical practitioner of any supplements that you want to take - it may interfere with other medication or conditions you have. Confirm with your doctor it is safe to take BEFORE you try it.
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< 9: conventional treatment 11: living with allergic rhinitis > Last reviewed: 21 September 2007 || Last updated: 9 January 2009
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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
