Hay Fever – An Integrated Approach
Dr Rowena Nicholson MBBS MRCGP DRCOG Dip PCouns Dip NSpH Dip THY&R BSEM member

Have you been enjoying the beautiful blossoms and the summer meadows, or do you hide away on high pollen days, nursing puffy eyes and an itchy runny nose?
About 20 per cent of people in the UK have hay fever, and whilst for some it is a minor irritation, others endure months of debilitating symptoms which can make them feel generally unwell, drowsy and affect their sleep.
So why do we develop hay fever? Our immune system’s greatest strength is also its weakness. We have evolved and survived because our immune system can adapt to fight new infections; however, our systems sometimes learn to react to unharmful substances and this is when we develop allergy. There may be a genetic susceptibility, with hay fever being carried on the same gene as asthma, eczema and migraine, but from a more holistic viewpoint, there are other considerations. Many teenagers get very severe hayfever during their exams, so stress and lack of balance is certainly an important factor which needs to be addressed. Micronutrient deficiency has also been implicated, as has poor gut function, and toxin or allergen overexposure.
As you would expect, conventional treatment focuses on symptom suppression. Antihistamines do offer prompt relief, but can cause drowsiness, and those taking them longer term sometimes fi nd that they experience rebound symptoms when they try to stop. Other conventional treatments include steroid nasal sprays to inhibit the inflammatory response and chromoglycate eye drops which stabilise the mast cells, reducing the amount of histamine they release. For those whose symptoms are not controlled by these measures, the only conventional option is a long acting steroid injection, but this carries the risk of suppressing immune function as well as reducing bone density.
So what can complementary and natural medicine offer? Allergen reduction is useful, though it is impossible to totally avoid exposure to pollens. The allergens have their effect on the mucous membranes inside the nose and on the surface of the eyes, so wearing glasses helps, as can smearing ointment or using Nasaleze inside the nose. Showering before bed removes pollens on the skin so you don’t inhale them all night. In addition an air purifier may be worth considering if you spend a lot of time in one room, or for the bedroom if your symptoms affect your sleep.
There are a number of relevant nutritional considerations, with zinc and magnesium deficiencies being the most common. Vitamin C has anti-histamine
properties, and Quercetin, a citrus bioflavonoid and B6 may also be used. However, rather than just fixing the deficiencies, it is advisable to ensure a well balanced, high nutrient, whole food diet. Pollens cross react with a number of foods, and an allergist would advise on which foods to avoid during the pollen season. For example, if you have sensitivity to tree pollens, hazel nuts, celery, carrot and some other vegetables may make your symptoms worse.
There are many different plant medicines on the market. Some of these help to support the immune system, others help to reduce infl ammation or control symptoms. Example include: Luffa Complex tincture (a combination), freeze dried nettle, ephedra (not safe long term), butterbur and a host of others. Some patients also find benefit from homeopathy, acupuncture and healing.
Whilst in my practice I have found all of the above measures effective for patients with milder hay fever, or those wishing to combine antihistamines with complementary approaches, for those with more severe symptoms it may not be enough. For these people, desensitisation treatments can be very effective and reduce both symptoms and the need for other treatments. High dose (and high risk) desensitization treatments fortunately went out of fashion in the UK years ago. However, EPD (enzyme potentiated desensitization) is incredibly safe and is widely used in the USA and Germany. It uses tiny doses of multiple allergens together with an enzyme which is present in human cells. It exploits a natural mechanism in the body to down-regulate the immune system’s response to the allergens. For hay fever, mixed inhalant allergens are given, so desensitising the person to the whole range of pollens and dust mites. However, for those with other allergic symptoms, treatment can be given for food and chemical sensitivity at the same time. The 1st injection is given around November, the second in February, and after an annual booster for 3 years, protection is usually life long.
Overall, there are many approaches and treatments for hay fever, beyond symptom suppression. It is always best to seek professional advice, preferably from someone who can tailor the treatment to your individual needs. Now is the time to be planning your strategy for next year!
Dr Nicholson is an Integrated and Ecological Physician who has trained in General Practice, Allergy, Nutritional and Environmental Medicine and in various complementary therapies.
She is the Clinical Director at the Centre for Balanced Medicine and can be contacted on 01626 854743 or www.balancedmedicine.co.uk