Allergies are caused by your immune system attacking something that isn't actually harmful to your body, but for some reason your body thinks it is. Basically, your immune system is in place to protect you from harmful things like bacteria, toxins and viral infections, but in the case of allergies your body mistakes something harmless like pollen as a threat to your body.
Allergies can be environmental allergies, where people have an immune response to particles in the air such as tree pollen, pet dander, dust, grasses, or mold. Another type of allergy can be allergies to certain foods, such as dairy, wheat, or peanuts.
Having allergies often involves a genetic component, as having a close relative with allergies makes it much more likely that you will suffer from allergies as well. There are no known causes of hay fever. However there are factors that are correlated with allergies, such as fatigue, poor digestion, insomnia, stress, and low immunity.
Allergic responses are caused by the release of histamines and symptoms are similar to having the cold or flu, involving itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, fatigue and cough. They can also involve the skin, causing itching and rash. These symptoms are due to the body trying to flush out the allergen which it sees as a threat.
Since allergies are caused by the release of histamines, drugs for allergies are aimed at blocking the activity of histames. Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra and Benadryl are the most common over the counter medications for allergies, and the drugs they contain are all histamine blockers which help reduce the immune response caused by allergens. There are also prescription drugs like Flonase which contain inhaled steroids used to reduce inflammation. These drugs will give the most immediate relief from allergies, however many people want to avoid taking medication long term for reasons like side effects and cost, and there are some things you can do help get rid of your allergies in a natural way.
Natural Treatments for Allergies
By far the simplest and yet one of the most effective things you can do to reduce your allergy symptoms is to drink plenty of water. Water helps keep the lining of your respiratory system fluid and reduces your sensitivity to airborne allergens. In addition, being dehydrated causes your body to release more histamines than normal, so staying hydrated by drinking water will help prevent this.
If you suffer from allergies, you have probably noticed that when you are feeling burned out, your allergies are worse. So, getting adequate sleep can be of great benefit in reducing allergies. When your body is exhausted, there is a tendency for your immune system to get hypersensitive to your surroundings as a way to defend a body which it sees as already weak. With enough sleep, your body is healthier and more prepared to take on the stresses of the day, so your immune system relaxes as it sees less need to protect you. Also, overextending yourself and your energy due to excess stress can have the same effect, where your body becomes exhausted and your immune system goes overboard in trying to protect you.
There are herbal medicines which act in a similar way to allergy medication by stabilizing the immune cells that produce histamine. Quercitin and stinging nettle are two commonly used herbs. In addition, because fatigue and a weak immune system are correlated with allergies, a natural adaptogen or immune strengthener can help improve your allergy symptoms as well as your energy levels. Astragalus, rhodiola, and ashwaghanda are some herbal medicines that reduce stress and help strengthen the body's immune system and the organs involved in energy production.
The Mind-Body Connection in Allergies
The mind-body connection in allergies is an interesting one to consider, and one not usually discussed when dealing with allergies. If you imagine your immune system as the defense system of your body, and the immune cells as the soldiers employed to defend you, it follows that an allergic reaction is when those soldiers become overly defensive and start attacking things that don't really pose a threat to you.
If you are suffering from allergies, it is sometimes helpful to look at whether you may be feeling too protective of yourself, and hence getting overly defensive. Protecting yourself is a natural inclination, however this natural protective instinct can sometimes get out of hand and rather than provide a benefit to you, actually end up being harmful and keep you from living your life more fully. If you notice you are spending a lot of energy trying to prevent bad things from happening, getting anxious over not being able to control certain aspects of life, this may be a component that leaves you more susceptible to allergies. Dealing with these fears can help you learn to trust that you are capable of taking care of yourself when hardships or attacks do occur, leaving your defense mechanism - hence, your immune system - more stable and less hypersensitive. Try and relax - life won't deal out anything that you aren't able to handle.
Allergies, while usually not a severe health problem, can still make life much more difficult. For people who suffer from chronic allergies it may be necessary to take medication to reduce your symptoms, but in the long run working towards treating your allergies in a natural way will help reduce your need to take drugs and improve the health of your immune system and your body.
Dr. Petersen is a naturopathic doctor living in San Diego, CA.
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