Aged cheeses, wine, sauerkraut and processed meats have been accused of contributing histamines and making allergies worse. Some allergy sufferers have oral allergy syndrome, where their immune systems can’t tell the difference between pollen and some foods which can cause symptoms like congestion, sneezing, itchy mouth and throat: almonds, apples, apricots, cherries, hazelnuts, kiwis, oranges, pears, plums or walnuts.
A dietary help that crosses the border from super tasty edible to medicine is the stinging nettle. It helps you tolerate allergens better and can be eaten from the wild (wear gloves when harvesting!) or just taken in capsule form. Some European studies have reported good results against allergies with roots and leaves of the shrub butterbur, but if using the roots make sure your supplement is free of pyrolizidines that can cause liver damage.
When it comes to natural remedies, the trendy neti pot has star status. It has been recommended to me by my own doctor and a couple of friends, although I have yet to try it. It flushes the nose and sinuses with salt solution and is touted as a big help for allergy sufferers. It’s considered safe for all ages, and doesn’t remove pollen but washes away itches and mucus. Squeeze bottles and pulsating nasal irrigators are similar fixes.
Some use homeopathy and acupuncture as well, with varying results. As with most other ailments, any way you can reduce stress in your life helps, too, from exercise to meditation.
Whatever you do, try to get a handle on it, as hay fever can not only make you miserable — and who needs that? — but it can lead to headaches, coughing and ear infections. It can mess up your sleep and work life, and develop into a painful debilitating sinus infection. Allergy-related breathing problems can lead to fatigue, lung irritation, stomach problems and sleep apnea, which can lead to strokes and heart attacks.
So make sure your spring is not a sneezy, sniffly one, or worse. We’ve waited long enough for it this year, so let’s enjoy it! Now excuse me, but I have to go pop a Claritin …
The recommendations in this column do not substitute for the advice of your own physician or health care practitioner.
