Spring is here. The sun is shining more often, temperatures are rising, and flowers are starting to bloom. Wonderful, right? Not for those suffering from hay fever... The only thing they see this season? Pollen!
That's why we've created a special hay fever dossier just for them, with everything you need to know about hay fever!
What is hay fever?
Classic hay fever symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, a runny nose, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, and a dry throat. In the Netherlands alone, an estimated three million people suffer from hay fever annually.
It is a form of allergic rhinitis – an inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane. This inflammation is caused by hypersensitivity to pollen, grasses, plants, and/or trees.
The first hay fever symptoms often appear in February and can persist until September. However, even in autumn and winter, houseplants, for example, can cause hay fever symptoms.
What causes hay fever?
One of the things we always see in hay fever patients is an overactive immune system. The symptoms arise from the release of too much histamine – a naturally occurring antibody that fights foreign substances in the body.
The body, therefore, mistakenly believes that the incoming pollen is harmful, even though it isn't. In response, the body produces too much histamine. This is then secreted through the nasal and/or eye mucous membranes, leading to the typical hay fever symptoms. People particularly suffer from this in spring and summer, when everything is in bloom and there is more pollen in the air.
Advice for hay fever
For hay fever patients, several factors are important to restore health and reduce or eliminate symptoms. We have listed them for you!
Avoid histamine-rich foods
To ensure you don't ingest even more histamine, it is wise to avoid histamine-rich foods. Histamine can be found in chocolate, pork, beer, red wine, E-numbers, tomatoes, kiwi, and liquorice, among other things. It's best to avoid these.
Additionally, you can use nettle in soups, smoothies, or a cup of tea. You can also make delicious pesto from it. Nettle inhibits the production of histamine.
Foods rich in flavonoids
The foods you do want to consume with hay fever symptoms are rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids have an antihistamine effect, which can be very beneficial for hay fever symptoms! Think of bell peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits, green tea, blue grapes, and red berries.
Another powerful antihistamine is scutellaria. Scutellaria, also known as skullcap, provides relief when pollen is in the air and can be used when symptoms are already present.
Anti-inflammatory foods
Omega-3 fatty acids act as natural inhibitors. You find omega-3 mainly in fatty fish like salmon, herring, and mackerel. But also in flaxseed, chia seed, and hemp seed.
Additionally, it is advisable to add onions, garlic, capers, kale, and apples with skin to your meals due to the substance quercetin.
Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory properties. You can use this spice in soups, curries, or as a base for a cup of golden milk.
Restore the gut barrier
Our health is linked to our gut health. To strengthen the immune system, it is important to restore the gut microbiome. Maintaining a healthy and varied diet is crucial here. Eat sufficient vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins, and add prebiotic foods such as sauerkraut, tempeh, miso soup, kombucha, and kefir to your diet to restore your gut microbiome.
Reduce your stress
Not only food and nutrients can support you in the fight against your hay fever attacks. Your mental resilience and balance are also of enormous importance.
The more stress you experience, the more susceptible your immune system is to allergies. The more you relax, the better things will be. So, relaxing is super important! Even a tiny bit of stress can be enough to make you sniffle and sneeze all day. Meditate more often during this period, put on your favorite music, and go dancing. The better you feel, the less discomfort you will experience.
Support the immune system with supplements
Due to the overactivity of the immune system, your health is not optimal with hay fever. It is therefore even more important to provide your body with extra nutrients.
Do you want to know which supplements best support your lifestyle this season? Then request free supplement advice from one of our therapists. We'd be happy to help you!
