Although benign, seasonal allergy is a real public health issue and a handicap for those who suffer from it.
Stuffy, itchy, or runny nose, red eyes, the arrival of spring does not delight everyone. Indeed, it is also the season of respiratory allergies which, although often benign, are nonetheless very unpleasant.
What is seasonal allergy? What are its symptoms? And most importantly, how to get rid of it?
What is seasonal allergy?
Seasonal allergy can be explained as an excessive response of the immune system to a substance it recognizes as foreign and is then called an allergen.
When the immune system functions properly, the body undergoes no disturbance. But sometimes, after exposure to a particular substance, it defends itself excessively. While this allergen substance will be perfectly harmless to some people, in sensitized individuals, it will be considered dangerous.
The mechanism of allergy occurs in two stages:
- First, a sensitization phase during which the immune system identifies the foreign substance as dangerous (first contact). It starts producing antibodies against this allergen.
- Then an allergic reaction phase when the body comes into contact with the allergen again. The allergic reaction is triggered. The immune system reacts; the antibodies seek to eliminate the allergen by triggering a set of defense reactions. They then attach to other cells of the immune system: mast cells, which release histamine. This is how the first symptoms appear.
If the allergy only occurs during certain seasons, it is called seasonal allergy. The most common is pollen allergy.
The body of a sensitized person reacts extremely to the pollens produced by certain plants (trees, grasses, or weeds) and dispersed by the wind. It is most often referred to as "seasonal allergic rhinitis" (or "allergic rhinoconjunctivitis").
Six major families of trees are responsible for allergic reactions:
- Betulaceae: birch, alder, hornbeam, hazel
- Cupressaceae: cypress, juniper, thuja
- Fagaceae: beech, chestnut, oak
- Oleaceae: olive tree, ash, privet
- Pinaceae: fir, pine, spruce, larch, cedar
- Platanaceae: plane tree
The causes of seasonal allergies are still poorly understood, but, especially because they are constantly increasing, our current lifestyles are particularly incriminated:
- Pollution. Diesel particles are dangerous because certain chemical compounds and allergenic pollens adhere to them, increasing the risk of allergy. Ozone pollution is also an allergy factor because it weakens the nasal mucosa, which absorbs 40% of inhaled ozone.
- Living in poorly ventilated and overheated homes
- Tobacco, which weakens mucous membranes
- Stress, which acts as a pollutant for the body and mind. Several studies show that stress, because of its harmful effect on immunity and on the body's protection systems against inflammation, is associated with an increased risk of allergic rhinitis and asthma.
- Global warming. The "mild" periods of the year now start earlier and end later. Because plants grow faster, the duration of pollen seasons and the amount of pollen in the environment increase.
- Globalization. The importation of plants into countries where they do not naturally grow exposes to new allergens that trigger or promote new allergies.
What are the symptoms of seasonal allergy?
When they are present in the air, pollens can settle on the skin, eyes, nose, and bronchi, causing symptoms such as:
- Sneezing,
- A nose that tingles, runs, or becomes blocked,
- Red eyes and tearing,
- Tension in the sinuses,
- Sore throat,
- Cough,
- Breathing difficulties,
- Altered taste
But in about 15% of allergic individuals, these symptoms are accompanied by medical complications: sinusitis and chronic sinusitis, otitis, sleep apnea, decreased sleep quality, concentration difficulties, and even asthma.
Unlike bacterial or viral infections, seasonal allergies do not cause fever or body aches or headaches, nasal and pharyngeal secretions remain clear, and there is no purulent sputum.
When symptoms of allergic rhinitis are particularly intense, it is recommended to consult an allergist or an ENT specialist who, through skin and/or blood tests, will confirm the diagnosis and may eventually proceed with desensitization.
Anti-seasonal allergy diet
Surprisingly, although it is not a food allergy, adapted menus can prevent seasonal allergies and limit their symptoms.
An anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich diet will be particularly suitable.
Give priority to:
Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C. This vitamin has a natural anti-histamine action by blocking the secretion of histamine by white blood cells. Think of guava, yellow bell pepper, blackcurrant, kiwi, lychee, papaya, and citrus fruits.
Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, red cabbage, kale, turnip...) This family of vegetables helps to clear the respiratory tract of mucus that congests it.
Blackcurrant and black grape, rich in a polyphenol called resveratrol which tends to suppress allergic reactions of IgE (the antibodies stimulated by immunoglobulin E)...
Garlic and onion, rich in quercetin, which also acts as a natural antihistamine. Apples also contain it, but they should be avoided if you are allergic to birch due to cross-allergies.
Foods containing omega-3 with anti-inflammatory properties: fatty fish (tuna, salmon, herring, sardine, trout... Be careful, however, with canned fish, which are often rich in histamine), rapeseed oil, flaxseed oil, hemp oil, nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds...).
Ginger and turmeric, which also tend to limit inflammation
On the other hand, certain foods should be limited or excluded at least for the duration of the allergy:
Coffee, which increases histamine production and increases the sensation of general inflammation. Moreover, it weakens the intestinal mucosa, which contributes to hyperpermeability and decreases immunity.
Spicy food
Dairy products. Cheese and dairy products tend to increase mucus production and inflammation.
Refined sugar, which causes significant fluctuations in blood sugar levels that trigger adrenaline rushes responsible for histamine release.
Alcohol, which causes dilation of blood vessels and aggravates irritation of the nasal mucosa and the sensation of a blocked nose.
It is also wise to avoid as much as possible medications that weaken the intestinal mucosa and promote intestinal hyper-permeability:
Aspirin,
Anti-inflammatory drugs,
Laxatives
Dietary supplements for seasonal allergies
Traditionally, antihistamines and decongestants are prescribed to relieve symptoms of respiratory allergies. Often effective, they do have side effects. The former can lead to so-called "anticholinergic" effects (drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, difficulty urinating, confusion, or dizziness). The latter may, in the long term, worsen or prolong nasal congestion (this is called the rebound effect) and ultimately induce chronic congestion. Moreover, they are not always effective in the long term.
Therefore, if you are subject to these side effects or if symptoms persist despite treatment, it may be interesting to use dietary supplements.
Probiotics, especially lactobacillus strains, are effective in preventing allergic rhinitis. By restoring intestinal flora, they strengthen immunity and thus have a positive
role against allergies. In addition, some strains would also decrease the symptoms of rhinitis and conjunctivitis.
Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid that inhibits histamine production. It is now believed that quercetin could attenuate the inflammatory reactions of allergic rhinitis.
Vitamin D has important immune response modulation properties. It is noted that vitamin deficiency frequently induces allergy phenomena. Knowing that nearly 80% of French people are deficient in vitamin D, supplementation may be particularly interesting, especially during winter and early spring.
Nettle, rich in minerals, vitamins, and trace elements, has a restorative and stimulating action, allowing you to recharge your energy and vitality.
Blackcurrant, being an excellent anti-inflammatory, acts effectively during allergic episodes and significantly reduces symptoms. It also helps reduce the fatigue often associated with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Good habits against seasonal allergies
If you are allergic to pollen, some daily measures can help you limit pollen exposure and thus reduce the intensity of symptoms.
It should be noted that the pollen count increases when the air is warm, dry, and sunny. Faced with such weather conditions, it is preferable to:
Avoid walks in fields or tall grass if you are allergic to grass or weed pollen and in forests and parks if you are allergic to tree pollen (cypress allergy, birch allergy).
Close windows during the hottest hours,
Avoid physical exertion outdoors,
Other tips can help reduce pollen exposure:
Roll up car windows when driving,
Avoid mowing the lawn if you are allergic to weeds,
Do not dry laundry outdoors, as it could bring pollen indoors,
Wash your hair and change clothes when you come back from a walk,
Avoid contact with irritating products: tobacco, aerosols, perfumes...
Avoid wearing contact lenses in case of allergic conjunctivitis,
Avoid chlorine in pools, which tends to increase the symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis on already irritated mucous membranes.
Although benign, seasonal allergy is a real public health issue and a handicap for those who suffer from it. Sometimes simple measures are enough to prevent it and reduce its symptoms.