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Ian Lloyd
Pharmacist
Peoples Pharmacy |
.....It happens every year; it causes peoples’ eyes to water, induces lots of frustration and maybe even a few sleepless nights. No, it is not the yearly filing of your income tax. It is seasonal allergies. Normally, we associate allergy symptoms with runny noses, sneezing, and watery eyes. It can't be that bad, right? If these symptoms lasted for only one day it might be manageable, but these symptoms can last for up to 4 months. Sometimes people with allergies suffer from headaches, sinus pain/infections, and constant fatigue. This month, I will discuss herbal supplements and other non-drug measures to help soothe those allergy symptoms.
.....Whenever I’m being asked about allergies, I recommend several lifestyle changes before a supplement. I feel the best basic help for any condition is to drink lots of water. Extra water will make any nasal/sinus secretions thinner and easier to clear. Saline nasal rinses are also found to be helpful in removing pollen and nasal secretions. There is now a new easy to use sinus rinse product available called ‘Sinus Rinse’ by Neilmed, ask your People's Drug Mart Pharmacist for more information. Washing one's hair before bed is also a good idea. This will remove any pollens that are trapped in the hair and prevent them from falling onto the pillow during the night. This way, you won't be sleeping with a lot of pollen close to |
your a face and nose. I recommend changing the pillowcase every few days. Avoidance of certain allergenic foods will often help. The most common culprits are milk and other dairy, eggs, wheat, nuts and artificial dyes.
.....There are other simple steps one can take to reduce their exposure to
the allergens, and these may help with allergy symptoms. The easiest one is to keep the bedroom clear of dust and/or pet dander. We spend around 8 hours a day in our bedroom, so it should be an allergen-free sanctuary. Pets should not be allowed to spend extended amounts of time in this room. The carpets should be vacuumed, with a vacuum cleaner that
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uses a HEPA filter, and surfaces should be dusted regularly. If possible, an air filtration device should be kept in the bedroom. At one time portable HEPA filters were very expensive and bulky but not any more. You can find them at almost any department store. I got one this year and find it is helpful in removing dust and particulates from the air in my house.
.....My favourite supplement recommendation for allergic rhinitis is quercetin. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables. The best sources include apples, green tea and onions. During an allergic reaction, your body’s immune system recognizes a foreign substance and tries to get rid of it. It does this by causing a part of the immune system, called mast cells, to break apart and release histamine and other inflammatory compounds. This causes a lot of congestion and prevents the spread of the foreign substance. This sounds like a great idea, but with seasonal allergies there tends to be an over-reaction to allergens. How quercetin and other flavonoids work is by preventing the breakdown of mast cells and the subsequent release of histamine. This is referred to as mast cell stabilization. Vitamin C and the synthetic flavonoid cromolyn sodium also can act as mast cell stabilizers. I recommend a more soluble form called quercetin chalcone, taken 250mg two |
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