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Seasonal Allergies / Hay Fever | | Description |
Hay fever is an allergic condition triggered by the immune
system's response to inhalant substances (frequently pollens). Researchers
have yet to clearly understand why some people's immune systems over-react
to exposure to pollens while other people do not suffer from this problem.
Symptoms of hay fever are partly a result of inflammation that, in turn,
is activated by the immune system.
What are the symptoms of hay
fever? Inhaled allergens trigger sneezing and inflammation of the nose
and mucous membranes (conjunctiva) of the eyes. The nose, roof of the
mouth, eyes, and throat begin to itch gradually or abruptly after the
onset of the pollen season. Tearing, sneezing, and clear, watery nasal
discharge soon follow the itching. Headaches and irritability may also
occur.
Conventional Treatment Options: Oral antihistamines
are often prescribed for relief of hay fever symptoms. These include
diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Phenr),
brompheniramine (e.g., Dimetapp), cetirizine (Zyrtec), clemastine
(Tavist), and others. Oral nonsedating H1-blockers, including loratadine
(Claritin), terfenidine (Seldane), and astemizole (Hismanal), are also
recommended. To counteract the tendency for antihistamines to cause
drowsiness, they are sometimes combined with sympathomimetic agents (e.g.,
phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine). Cromolyn sodium
nasal spray (e.g., Nasalcrom) may be recommended when antihistamines are
ineffective. When nasal symptoms are not relieved by antihistamines,
inhaled corticosteroids may also be suggested.
Dietary changes
that may be helpful: People with inhalant allergies are likely to also
have food allergies.1 2 A hypoallergenic diet has been reported to help
some people with asthma and allergic rhinitis,3 but the effect of such a
diet on hay fever symptoms has not been studied. Hay fever sufferers
interested in exploring the possible effects of a food allergy avoidance
program should talk with a doctor. Discovering and eliminating offending
food allergens, should they exist, is likely to improve overall health
even if such an approach has no effect on hay fever
symptoms.
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful:
Although vitamin C has antihistamine activity, and supplementation, in
preliminary research,4 5 has been reported to help people with hay fever,
2,000 mg of vitamin C per day did not reduce hay fever symptoms in a
placebo controlled trial.6 Thus, while some doctors recommend that hay
fever sufferers take 1,000-3,000 mg of vitamin C per day, supportive
evidence remains weak.
Quercetin is an increasingly popular
treatment for hay fever even though only limited preliminary clinical
research has suggested that it is beneficial to hay fever
sufferers.7
The oral administration of a thymus extract known as
Thymomodulinr has been shown in preliminary studies and double-blind
trials to improve the symptoms of hay fever and allergic rhinitis.8 9 10
Presumably this clinical improvement is the result of restoration of
proper control over immune function.
Are there any side effects
or interactions? Refer to the individual supplement for information
about any side effects or interactions.
Herbs that may be
helpful: Tylophora is an herb used by Ayurvedic doctors in India to
treat people with allergies. It contains compounds that have been reported
to interfere with the action of mast cells, which are key components in
the process of inflammation responsible for most hay fever symptoms.11
Mast cells are found in airways of the lungs (among other parts of the
body). When mast cells are activated by pollen or other allergens, they
release the chemical histamine, which in turn leads to a wide number of
symptoms familiar to hay fever sufferers-itchy eyes, runny nose, and chest
tightness. Ayurvedic doctors sometimes recommend 200-400 mg of the dried
herb daily or 1-2 ml of the tincture per day for up to two
weeks.
In an isolated double-blind trial, nettle leaf led to a
slight reduction in symptoms of hay fever-including sneezing and itchy
eyes.12 However, no other research has investigated this relationship.
Despite the lack of adequate scientific support, some doctors suggest
taking 450 mg of nettle leaf capsules or tablets two to three times per
day, or a 2-4 ml tincture three times per day for people suffering from
hay fever.
Ephedra sinica (ma huang) is an herbal remedy for hay
fever in traditional Chinese medicine.13 The popular nasal decongestant
pseudoephedrine is an active constituent of ma huang.14 It is has largely
replaced the use of the herb in modern medicine.
The Japanese
herbal formula known as sho-seiryu-to has been shown to reduce symptom,
such as sneezing, for people with hay fever.15 Sho-seiryu-to contains
licorice, cassia bark, schisandra, ma huang, ginger, peony root, pinellia,
and asiasarum root.
Are there any side effects or
interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any
side effects or interactions.
References:
1. Speer F.
Multiple food allergy. Ann Allerg 1975;34:71-6.
2. Buczylko K,
Kowalczyk J, Zeman K, et al. Allergy to food in children with pollinosis.
Rocz Akad Med Bialymst 1995;40:568-72.
3. Ogle KA, Bullock JD.
Children with allergic rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma treated with
elimination diet. Ann Allergy 1977;39:8-11.
4. Holmes HM, Alexander
W. Hay fever and vitamin C. Science 1942;96:497.
5. Ruskin SL. High
dose vitamin C in allergy. Am J Dig Dis 1945;12:281.
6. Fortner BR
Jr, Danziger RE, Rabinowitz PS, Nelson HS. The effect of ascorbic acid on
cutaneous and nasal response to histamine and allergen. J Allergy Clin
Immunol 1982;69:484-8.
7. Balabolkin II, Gordeeva GF, Fuseva ED, et
al. Use of vitamins in allergic illnesses in children. Vopr Med Khim
1992;38:36-40.
8. Cazzola P, Mazzanti P, Bossi G. In vivo
modulating effect of a calf thymus acid lysate on human T lymphocyte
subsets and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the course of different diseases. Curr Ther
Res 1987;42:1011-7.
9. Kouttab NM, Prada M, Cazzola P.
Thymomodulin: Biological properties and clinical applications. Med Oncol
Tumor Pharmacother 1989;6:5-9 [review].
10. Marzari R, Mazzanti P,
Cazzola P, Pirodda E. Perennial allergic rhinitis: prevention of the acute
episodes with Thymomodulin. Minerva Med 1987;78:1675-81.
11.
Gopalakrishnan C, Shankaranarayan D, Nazimudeen SK, et al. Effect of
tylophorine, a major alkaloid of Tylophora indica, on immumopathological
and inflammatory reactions. Ind J Med Res 1980;71:940-8.
12.
Mittman P. Randomized double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica diocia in
the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Planta Med 1990;56:44-7.
13.
Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and
Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988, 219
[review].
14. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab
Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988, 219
[review].
15. Baba S, Takasaka T. Double-blind clinical trial of
sho-seiryu-to (TJ-19) for perennial nasal allergy. Clin Otolaryngol
1995;88:389-405.
Source: NOW Foods
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