Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies (aka allergic rhinitis, hay fever) are around the corner, especially here on the west coast of Canada. Many people suffer from the classic hay fever symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, sinus congestion, headaches and watery eyes. It’s definitely not a fun few months for these individuals. The good news is, there’s things that you can do about it!
Seasonal allergies are often caused by an imbalance in the immune system. The imbalance is in a type of white blood cell called T helper cells (a type of lymphocyte) which are an important part of our adaptive (or acquired) immune system. These lymphocytes tell other cells in the immune system to do their jobs. They stimulate 3 very important cells with the following actions:
B cells (another type of lymphocyte) to secrete antibodies —> involved in recognition of pathogens
Macrophages —> kill external pathogens such as viruses and bacteria
Cytotoxic T cells —> kill infected target cells in the body
There are different types of T helper cells, some of the main ones being Th1 and Th2 and this is where the imbalance comes in. In individuals with allergies, Th2 is often overactive compared to Th1. In people with allergies, asthma and atopic disease (such as eczema), Th2 tends to stimulate the immune system to recognize allergens as an invader and release inflammatory mediators against them. This causes the immune and inflammatory reaction that leads to the symptoms of hay fever. Your immune system is trying to defend against these allergens because it recognizes them as harmful, even though they are not.
A leading theory for why this happens in certain individuals and why it is becoming increasingly more prevalent, is the hygiene hypothesis. This is the hypothesis that if children are not exposed to many microbes (bacteria, viruses) early on, their Th1 response isn’t stimulated and the immune response shifts to a Th2 dominant response. Th1 responds to microbes and foreign invaders. Over time, there has been less natural exposure to microbes as sanitary measures have increased. We have anti-microbial soap, sanitizer, our kids are outside less, playing in the dirt less, etc. The benefits of sanitation have been incredible, but maybe we have become a bit too clean overall (especially now in 2020, which is currently necessary but unfortunate).
So, what can I do about my seasonal allergies if I already have them? As we can’t go back in time and test this theory out personally by getting you to play in the dirt more and wash your hands less, let’s focus on what we can do! Some of the things that I consider when treating patients with hay fever include, but are not limited to:
Immune system balance: As seasonal allergies are caused by our immune reaction, we can try working on balancing the response. This includes herbs and supplements that help correct the Th2 dominance.
Mast cell stabilization: Mast cells are immune cells that contain histamine. Histamine is released in response to an allergen and bind histamine receptors in various tissues in the body. This is what causes many of these symptoms including hives & itchy skin, itchy & puffy eyes and a runny nose. There are some herbs and nutrients that can stabilize mast cells to reduce histamine release and prevent these symptoms.
Side note: Anti-histamines (like Benadryl, Reactine etc.) work by blocking the histamine receptors, so that histamine cannot bind and cause these reactions.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT): This therapy involves dissolving very dilute amounts of an allergen sublingually (under the tongue) to prime the immune system for the allergen. Over time, doing this continually will lessen the immune (and therefore allergenic) response to that allergen.
Food sensitivities: There are many cross reactions between environmental allergies and food allergies or sensitivities. Some examples include:
Latex —> avocado, banana, kiwi
Pollen —> peach, apple, honeydew melon
Grass —> cow’s milk
Looking into food sensitivities as a causative or contributing factor for hay fever is very useful. Especially if an individual has symptoms all year round. Investigating these via food sensitivity testing or an elimination diet is not only simple, but can be incredibly helpful.
Gut healing & enhancing the microbiome: When the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is inflamed it can become a bit sloppy. The GIT lining becomes damaged and compromised and this can lead to an increase in intestinal permeability. When the permeability increases, larger particles that are not supposed to cross into the blood stream from the gut, are now able to. Your immune system recognizes these particles as “foreign” and will mount an attack against them, leading to a myriad of symptoms, including allergic rhinitis. The integrity of the GIT lining is important to prevent this from happening. Having a healthy balance of good microbes in the body, including the intestine and respiratory system, contributes to a healthy immune system. A healthy microbiome can help balance the immune response (Th1, Th2 and Th17).
Nutrient deficiencies: It appears that deficiencies in certain minerals and vitamins can potentially worsen the severity of seasonal allergies, although more research needs to be done. Some of the nutrients suggested include magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, C, D, E, zinc and selenium. Generally speaking, all of these nutrients play a role in the immune system and deficiencies in them should be considered as aggravating factors for seasonal allergies.
The Bottom Line
Seasonal allergies/hay fever/allergic rhinitis is caused by an imbalance in the adaptive immune response, exhibiting a dominance in the Th2 response over Th1. While the immune system is trying to protect you from foreign invaders (allergens), it goes a bit haywire and causes some nasty symptoms.
Over-sanitization, especially in childhood, reduces exposure to microbes and affects the immune response. Think of exposure to bacteria and viruses as training for your immune system to fight in battle.
There are many contributing and aggravating factors for seasonal allergies including nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities and allergies, gut health & the microbiome and immune system regulation.
Potential therapies for hay fever include mast cell stabilization, enhancing and balancing the immune system, SLIT, identifying and removing food sensitivities, healing the gut and restoring a healthy flora.
Everyone is different and should not be treated the same, as each individual has different causative factors and risk factors associated with their allergies. Visit a licensed naturopathic physician in your area to discuss options that are tailored for you.
**Disclaimer: this is not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed naturopathic doctor or health professional before starting any therapies. This is intended for educational purposes only.
Resources:
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PMID: 7189650