HAY FEVER
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HAY FEVER is actually the common name for an allergic reaction to an airborne substance. Usually the substance is pollen, but it can be a fungus, mold, mildew, dust mites, or even pet dander or, believe it or not, cockroaches. Hay fever has nothing to do with hay: It got its name because long ago British farmers noticed that their symptoms of headache, irritability, and runny nose and eyes occurred during the season of the spring hay harvest, and so they connected it with hay. In fact, the irritation came from grass that pollenates in the spring.
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis (the official name for most inhalant allergies), can plague people all year round. In the early spring, tree pollens are the major offenders, then in mid-May there are the grass pollens, followed by ragweed pollen in mid-August. And don't forget the airborne fungus spores that are common from early spring to late fall-for some people there is no respite whatsoever. One study found that more than a third of people with other allergies are also hypersensitive to cockroaches and even 12 percent of people without any histories of allergies are allergic to some roaches. And some people are sensitive to cleaning products and will develop a reaction whenever exposed to them. To make things even more complicated, some people are allergic to more than one thing and can suffer both seasonal reactions to pollen and perennial reactions to other allergens.
People usually recognize hay fever immediately, as the symptoms are pretty obvious: watery eyes, runny nose, body aches, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, sore throat, ear pain and pressure, fatigue, and irritability. But I've had patients with vague seasonal symptoms of fatigue and sore throat who have gone for years not knowing the cause of their discomfort. If you have any of these symptoms but can't figure out the cure, try keeping a "health log." Jot down what the symptoms are and when they occur and any potential allergenic situations you might have been exposed to such as a seasonal change, pets, a damp garage, use of certain chemicals, or a camping trip, for example. This will help you isolate any possible allergens.
Traditionally, hay fever symptoms have been treated with antihistamines, drugs that fight the histamines, the symptom-provoking substances that supposedly cause allergic symptoms. There are many over-the-counter preparations, but most of them cause drowsiness--the prescription drugs Seldane and Hismanal are quite popular because they do not. Soon one or both of them will be available over-the-counter, but they are not without side effects. Just recently it was found that Seldane can cause rapid heartbeat, particularly when used in conjunction with certain antibiotics.
Usually people use decongestants in conjunction with antihistamines. The antihistamines subvert the irritating effect of the histamines, and the decongestants shrink the swollen nasal passages, allowing freer breathing. But regular use of decongestants can cause headaches, irritability, and dizziness. And you can suffer from the rebound effect where your body begins to rely on the decongestant so that when you stop taking it your nose becomes stuffier than ever.
What can you do about hay fever without relying on drugs and possible side effects? The only completely effective solution is, as with other allergies, avoid the allergen. Of course, for most people who can't move to another part of the country, that's impossible. Fortunately, there is a more moderate, natural route that will help relieve your symptoms and allow you to live with your allergies.
The first thing to investigate is the possibility of hidden food allergies, which can make inhalant allergies worse. Some patients have real problems with hay fever until they eliminate milk and cheese products from their diet. Dairy products are common sources of hidden food allergies.
No matter what the cause of your hay fever, there are natural supplements you can take that can dramatically alleviate your symptoms. I suggest that my patients take four supplements, and in many cases they report great improvement.
Vitamin C is, among other things, a natural antihistamine, and some allergic people seem to have a greater need for it than others. To see the best results, it needs to be taken in relatively large doses during the allergy season.
Bioflavonoids, closely related to vitamin C, have been found to have anti-allergy effects. Bioflavonoids are most easily procured from the pulp, rind, and juice of oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. A simple way to consume them is to cut orange and/or lemon peels into strips and cook them with some honey until they're soft. Eat one or two teaspoons daily. You can also get bioflavonoids at a health food store or buy vitamin C tablets that contain bioflavonoids.
Pantothenic acid, one of the B vitamins, is especially important in eliminating the symptoms of hay fever. Some people find that a dose of pantothenic acid will clear their stuffy nose within a half-hour. It doesn't work for everyone, but for those who report success it seems like a miracle. I suggest you take pantothenic acid daily, along with vitamin B complex.
Evening primrose oil is another natural substance that has just recently gotten attention for its powerful anti-inflammatory action that has proven helpful in fighting bronchial congestion. I suggest that patients take evening primrose oil three times daily.
There are two other natural steps you can take. There is mounting evidence that salicylates, substances found in certain foods as well as in aspirin and ibuprofen products (like Advil or Motrin) can inhibit an enzyme that helps fight many ailments including the symptoms of hay fever. Some people are particularly sensitive to salicylates. It is in a number of over-the-counter medications, and it also occurs naturally in almonds, apples, apricots, blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, cucumbers and pickles, currants, dewberries, gooseberries, grapes or raisins, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums or prunes, raspberries, strawberries, and tomatoes. I tell my hay fever patients to avoid salicylates in foods and medications, and to try to stick to a low-fat diet.
NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR HAY FEVER
- Avoid aspirin and ibuprofen as well as foods containing salicylates including almonds, apples, apricots, blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, cucumbers and pickles, currants, dewberries, gooseberries, grapes or raisins, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums or prunes, raspberries, strawberries, and tomatoes.
- Stick to a low, fat diet.
IN ADDITION TO YOUR DAILY SUPPLEMENTS, TAKE:
- Vitamin C: during hay fever season 2 g. (2,000 mg.) of the ester-C form daily.
- Citrus bioflavonoids: 1000 mg. daily or cut strips of orange and lemon peel and cook in honey until soft, eat a teaspoon or two a day.
- Pantothenic acid: 200to 300 mg. daily.
- Evening primrose oil: 500 mg. three times a day.
IN ADDITION TO THE NATURAL REMEDIES I'VE OUTLINED, HERE ARE SOME PRACTICAL STRATEGIES. IN GENERAL, WHENEVER POSSIBLE:
- Avoid cigarette smoke, which can make your symptoms much worse.
- Avoid car exhaust.
- Arrange your vacation to coincide with your area's worst allergy season. A cruise--no plants, no pollen---is ideal.
- Remember that alcohol swells your bronchial tissues, so it's helpful to avoid drinking during allergy season.
- Use a dehumidifier in your basement if it is damp,
- Try to get rid of any old, damp articles that may clutter your basement, garage, attic, yard, or deck, particularly old upholstered furniture, cushions, carpets or rugs, stuffed animals, and stacks of magazines and newspapers.
- Keep rooms dry and clean: Use space heaters to dry damp rooms. Keep closet doors open during the day to dry them and closed at night with a low, wattage light burning inside them if possible. Don't keep wet shoes or boots in your bedroom.
- Limit the number of houseplants and terrariums in your home and office.
- Vent your clothes dryer to the outside.
- Install a bathroom fan that's vented to the outside and use it whenever you bathe or shower.
- Don't let damp clothes sit in the washer; dry them immediately.
IF YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO DUST
I've noticed that people whose symptoms are worse in the morning are usually allergic to dust and house dust mites. In addition to the things I've outlined, there are steps you can take if this is your problem.
- A mattress cover can be of enormous help in avoiding dust mites. Use an allergen-proof plastic cover along with a pillow made of hypoallergenic material like dacron or polyester (you'll see it noted on the pillow label). Be sure to vacuum the mattress before putting the cover on. You can get a mattress cover from a department store or from a surgical supply house. Here are two that will ship: Allergy Control Products (800) 422-DUST [or in Connecticut (203) 438-9580]; The Janice Corporation (800) 526-4237 [in New Jersey (973) 691-2979].
- Don't store anything under your bed, as this can encourage the accumulation of dust mites.
- Try to avoid rugs and carpets, possible breeding grounds for mites.
- Don't vacuum yourself, and try to be out of the house when someone else vacuums. On the other hand, be sure your living areas are wet-mopped and vacuumed frequently. There are vacuums that come equipped with allergen-absorbing filters.
- Consider installing a high-frequency particulate-arresting filter (HEPA filter) on your furnace. They're expensive but extremely effective. Consult with a heating expert for more information.
- There are chemical agents for testing and for eliminating dust mites. You can discuss this with your doctor.
IF YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO POLLEN
- Try to stay indoors between 5:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. when the pollen levels are the highest.
- Dry your clothes and bedding inside rather than outside, where they'll collect pollen.
- When outside, wear glasses or sunglasses to keep your eyes free of pollen.
- Try to keep windows in your car and home closed during pollen season.
- Keep air-conditioner filters and dehumidifiers scrupulously clean. Many people have reported a reduction in their symptoms when they clean these filters regularly. Don't forget the filter on your humidifier if you use a room humidifier in the winter.
- Mow your grass low to prevent it from blooming and producing pollen. Be sure to wear a mask when mowing or gardening.
- During pollen season, it's helpful to wash your hands and rinse your eyes with fresh water every time you come in from outdoors.
IN ADDITION: If the natural remedies suggested here don't work, you may have to consult with an allergist for medications and possibly allergy desensitization.
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