The CDC estimates that roughly 60 million Americans suffer with runny nose, sneezing and nasal congestion during the course of the year. For many of these, the culprit is seasonal allergens such as pollen, but some people have chronic rhinitis. Allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, nasal. congestion and fatigue or fuzzy brain can be troublesome. Are there natural ways to manage reduce allergy symptoms?
What Role Does Vitamin D Play?
A new study from Korea suggests that lack of vitamin D may play a role in the prevalence of year-round allergies (Nutrients, Oct. 5, 2024). The investigators analyzed data from more than 12,000 Koreans at least 40 years old. Approximately one-fifth of them had chronic rhinitis. Seventy percent of these had vitamin D deficiency, compared to 65 percent of those without chronic rhinitis. Those with chronic congestion also had lower vitamin D levels, on average. The researchers conclude that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of chronic sniffles and sneezes by about 20 percent, which is a significant difference.
They suggest that
“maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be important in managing chronic rhinitis.”
Vitamin D for Persistent Hives:
The fact that vitamin D can help some people suffering with chronic hives suggests that there may be a link.
People usually experience hives as itchy red bumps on the skin that occur upon exposure to an allergen. In most cases, the hives cause discomfort for a few hours or even a few days and then disappear. But what about people who suffer from persistent hives? The trigger is not always obvious.
A small study of patients with persistent hives suggested that vitamin D3 might help control this itchy skin condition (Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, April 2014). Investigators randomly assigned patients to receive either 600 IU or 4,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily for three months. The study subjects filled out questionnaires regarding their symptoms and kept track of how many allergy pills they needed to take to control the red itchy welts on their skin.
Although there was no difference in their antihistamine use, other measures of hives severity were significantly lower at the end of the study in the group given high-dose vitamin D3. The investigators concluded that adding high-dose vitamin D3 to normal allergy treatment can improve quality of life for those suffering from persistent hives. More recent research supports this conclusion (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Sep. 16, 2024).
Vitamin D may be a good start, but it is not the whole answer. Keep reading for other ideas on overcoming allergies.
Figuring Out How to Reduce Allergy Symptoms:
Q. For the last few years, I have experienced varying degrees of pollen reactions in the spring. I live in the middle of an old Southern pine forest, with hardwood trees mixed in.
I experience lethargy, throat tightness and mild nausea for several weeks when the yellow stuff starts falling. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms? I take quercetin for relief but it only helps a bit. When the pollen lets up, so do the symptoms.
Pine Pollen Allergies:
A. Experts will sometimes tell you that pine pollen is too big to cause allergy problems. It turns out, though, that is not quite true. While allergies to pine pollen are less common than other pollen allergies, some people do suffer (Clinical and Experimental Allergy, Sep. 2009).
You may need to keep your windows closed and stay inside, at least until the afternoon, to minimize your pollen exposure. Some people find it helpful to use a saline nasal rinse morning and evening (see below). Others have told us that a daily shower and shampoo before bed during pollen season helps.
What About Quercetin?
Quercetin is a natural compound found in many plants including berries, fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, kale, onions and tomatoes, green tea and red wine. Supplements containing this antioxidant have been used to treat allergy symptoms and don’t appear to have serious side effects (Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, May 14, 2020).
Mary offered her experience:
“After several months, my mold sensitivity has been dramatically reduced, as evidenced by changed dosage of my mold allergy serum.
“I have also noticed a definite difference in my reaction to tree pollen and have not taken any tree pollen shots so far this spring.
“After reading about these natural alternatives to Rx drugs, I researched these substances in NIH Medical Library, and found information which shows that these not only block histamine, but also inhibit cytokines, tryptase, PGD2, tryptase, and leucotreines, all of which contribute to severe allergy symptoms.
“Additionally, cytokines are implicated in a severe reaction to coronavirus in some people called a “cytokine storm” which is being researched in Canada as reported earlier in People’s Pharmacy.
“I am sure that these natural inhibitors of mast cell mediators, as well as higher doses of H-1 and H-2 blockers have dramatically reduced my extreme allergic reactions to mold and pollen.”
Brenn has also used quercetin to reduce allergy symptoms:
“I often take quercetin with nettles instead of or in addition to Zyrtec. It works! So great when Zyrtec begins to fail.”
Jim reminds us that people may develop allergies to quercetin just as they do to other natural products:
“WebMD documents Quercetin interactions with many medications. It also states Quercetin is “possibly safe” when 500mg is taken twice a day for up to 12 weeks. I stopped taking it after an odd rash developed (it subsequently cleared). Being a proponent of antioxidants and plant bioflavonoids, the reaction was disappointing.”
NasalCrom Is Another Option to Reduce Allergy Symptoms:
Other options include stinging nettle supplements or cromolyn (NasalCrom). This drugstore nasal spray was originally derived from a plant called bishop’s weed.
Jane says she appreciates this medicine:
“I started to use NasalCrom after reading about it earlier this year in a newsletter. This the first season I haven’t had allergy trouble. I Just use it once or twice a day. Magic.”
Laurie agrees:
“I’ve had seasonal allergies starting mid-August every year since having my first child. I’ve used the typical OTC remedies for itchy nose and eyes.
“This year I read about Nasalcrom in the spring and decided to try it as recommended about 2 weeks before symptoms. It was a slam dunk! No itchy nose, and it even seemed to reduce eye itching even though it says only works in the nose, I wonder if there is any activity through nasolacrimal duct that helped.
“Anyhow, after using it 3x a day for several weeks if I ended up only using it 2x a day here and there it wasn’t any problem.”
Cleaning the Air:
Keeping pollen and other allergens out of your living space is paramount. Hanna urges readers to use high-quality filters.
She writes:
“I have added HEPA rated air filters in our apartment, one in the bedroom and one in the living room, and my allergies have all but disappeared. I might still have a reaction when exposed to certain perfumes (walking down the detergent aisle in the grocery store can set me off), but at home I stick to mostly products with no scent and those I have discovered do not bother me. The filters can be noisy, so the one in the bedroom runs only during the day, while the one in the living room is on 24/7.
“The filters are a yearly expense, usually being changed in the spring, but well worth the cost. Those with central air heating and cooling can buy HEPA filters for their system, again, well worth the investment.”
Saline Nasal Spray:
Another natural approach to easing allergy symptoms is regular use of a simple saline nasal spray.
Q. I have had seasonal allergies for my entire life. I was put on way too many different allergy medications for years; then I had allergy shots for over 10 years.
I started using a generic saline spray morning and night, even sometimes when I’ve just been outside for a while. It has saved me entirely! I no longer need allergy shots or any other medication at all.
I buy a store brand of saline spray, with no other additives. It’s inexpensive and no mess. I carry one in my purse at all times.
A. Researchers have determined that rinsing the nasal passages with saline is effective for reducing allergy symptoms (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, June 22, 2018). We’re glad this simple approach works so well for you. We suspect it would also work for others.
