Hay Fever & Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal Allergies - Hay fever
Chronic sneezing? Itchy, watery eyes? Is your nose running like a tap? Before you reach for your antihistamines to help (temporarily) reduce your hay fever symptoms, let me ask you – do you know there are effective, natural strategies that can provide you lasting relief?
Seasonal allergies, or commonly called hay fever, are a group of conditions that may cause a person to sneeze, have a stuffy nose, or a irritating runny nose. These symptoms happen certain times of the year when the irritants are in full exposure.
Some of these irritants include:
Some of the Symptons can include:
We all inhale these irritants and for some, it is no problem! But, for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, their immune systems springs into action. This complex defense system identifies the irritants as substances that are harmful to the body. War is declared! In response to the body attacking the invaders, the body releases enzymes that cause allergic symptoms, like sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. Usually, people get seasonal allergies during their childhood and the symptoms can get better or worse over time.
However there is a lot more to this picture than pollen, itchey eyes, coughing, bronchial issues and sneezing. Did you know that your nasal microbiome is a diverse community of microorganisms that can be found throughout the noise and sinuses and they all lead to your mucous pathways. Which of course actually travels into our Digestive System which of course effects our Gut.
Could we have been treating the symptoms and obvious irritations (Eyes, Nose and Throat) thinking we have been treating the cause?
First we need to understand the common causes...
Seasonal allergies, or commonly called hay fever, are a group of conditions that may cause a person to sneeze, have a stuffy nose, or a irritating runny nose. These symptoms happen certain times of the year when the irritants are in full exposure.
Some of these irritants include:
- Pollen
- Grass
- Weeds (like ragweed)
- Mold spores (in humid, wet, or damp weather
Some of the Symptons can include:
- Watery, itvhey or puffy eyes
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Runny nose
We all inhale these irritants and for some, it is no problem! But, for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, their immune systems springs into action. This complex defense system identifies the irritants as substances that are harmful to the body. War is declared! In response to the body attacking the invaders, the body releases enzymes that cause allergic symptoms, like sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. Usually, people get seasonal allergies during their childhood and the symptoms can get better or worse over time.
However there is a lot more to this picture than pollen, itchey eyes, coughing, bronchial issues and sneezing. Did you know that your nasal microbiome is a diverse community of microorganisms that can be found throughout the noise and sinuses and they all lead to your mucous pathways. Which of course actually travels into our Digestive System which of course effects our Gut.
Could we have been treating the symptoms and obvious irritations (Eyes, Nose and Throat) thinking we have been treating the cause?
First we need to understand the common causes...
Seasonally Spring is a rebirth, as we come out of hibernation.

When Spring arrives so do those irritating seasonal allergies and for some it can have a significant impact on quality of life. Determining the cause and addressing both the triggers and the symptoms in a holistic approach is an effective way to address your allergies and see you enjoying the return of the warmer weather.
I adore Spring! As the weather gets warmer I feel myself coming out of hibernation. I want to eat lighter and exercise more, spending time in my garden is a joy and as all of my indoor plants put out new leaves I feel like a proud plant mama! I also sneeze and itch and feel like my head is full of stuffing unless I deal with my seasonal allergies head on!
As plants release their pollen into the air to fertilise other plants and continue their reproductive cycle, people sensitive to airborne allergens begin to sneeze, sniffle and itch their way through the 'hayfever' season.
As we go about our daily lives, we are exposed to an abundance of foreign substances, and it is our immune system’s job to detect which of these are harmful and mount an appropriate immune response. When you experience hay fever symptoms however, your immune system has mounted an inappropriate response to a harmless substance (e.g. pollen) and has become hyper-reactive. This causes specialised immune cells, known as mast cells, to migrate to your nose and throat, where they release histamine. This chemical triggers an explosion of inflammation, which forces foreign particles out of your body. It is the swelling and irritation that inflammation causes which leads to the miserable symptoms of hay fever.
Typical allergy symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, itchy eyes and nose, itchy roof of the mouth. However they can also include dry skin, redness in the eyes, dark circles under the eyes, ear congestion, nasal congestion, sore throat, post nasal drainage, headache, wheezing, shortness of breath, worsening of other allergic symptoms (dust, pets etc) and increased incidence of sinus infections. If you also have asthma, seasonal allergies may worsen your symptoms of trigger an asthma attack.
I adore Spring! As the weather gets warmer I feel myself coming out of hibernation. I want to eat lighter and exercise more, spending time in my garden is a joy and as all of my indoor plants put out new leaves I feel like a proud plant mama! I also sneeze and itch and feel like my head is full of stuffing unless I deal with my seasonal allergies head on!
As plants release their pollen into the air to fertilise other plants and continue their reproductive cycle, people sensitive to airborne allergens begin to sneeze, sniffle and itch their way through the 'hayfever' season.
As we go about our daily lives, we are exposed to an abundance of foreign substances, and it is our immune system’s job to detect which of these are harmful and mount an appropriate immune response. When you experience hay fever symptoms however, your immune system has mounted an inappropriate response to a harmless substance (e.g. pollen) and has become hyper-reactive. This causes specialised immune cells, known as mast cells, to migrate to your nose and throat, where they release histamine. This chemical triggers an explosion of inflammation, which forces foreign particles out of your body. It is the swelling and irritation that inflammation causes which leads to the miserable symptoms of hay fever.
Typical allergy symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, coughing, itchy eyes and nose, itchy roof of the mouth. However they can also include dry skin, redness in the eyes, dark circles under the eyes, ear congestion, nasal congestion, sore throat, post nasal drainage, headache, wheezing, shortness of breath, worsening of other allergic symptoms (dust, pets etc) and increased incidence of sinus infections. If you also have asthma, seasonal allergies may worsen your symptoms of trigger an asthma attack.
Treatment Options
One of the best methods for addressing seasonal allergies is avoidance.
- Check the pollen forecast and stay indoors when there is a high pollen count, particularly on windy days.
- Pollen levels in the air tend to be higher during early morning, so try and adjust your routine where you can
- Consider wearing a dust mask when you’re outside, especially on windy days.
- Keep the windows and doors closed on high pollen count and windy days.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors and use a gentle eye drop or saline eye bath to flush out any pollen.
- Have a shower and wash your hair before bed to minimise the impact of hay fever symptoms on your sleep.
- Use a saline nasal flush to rinse pollen out of your sinus cavity.
- Dry your bed linen and clothes indoors when pollen count is high
- Choose plants in your garden that are pollinated by birds or insects, Australian natives are often suitable.
An allergy may be diagnosed based on your health history and symptoms, and/or an allergist may conduct a skin test to isolate the particular allergen/s that are causing you grief.
In addition to reducing your exposure to allergens, there are a number of natural treatment options available which can address both the symptoms and the cause of your allergies:
- Nasal irrigation uses a saline solution in to clear out mucous and irritants and open the sinus passages. You typically use a squeeze bottle or neti pot (from the chemist), fill it with the saline solution and squirt this up each side of your nose whilst in the shower or leaning over a sink. It can feel a little uncomfortable at first but it's very safe and effective.
- Your natural health practitioner may prescribe a nasal spray to help alleviate congestion, reduce sinus pressure, wash away airborne irritants and soothe and moisturise the nasal passages. Sprays containing saline and Xylitol may help.
- Adjusting your diet to support immune function is an important aspect of treatment. Making sure to eat plenty of plant foods which contain vitamin C and antioxidants, getting enough zinc in your diet, ensuring you have adequate vitamin D levels are all things that your practitioner can help you with.
- Working with a practitioner trained in identifying food intolerances and removing them from the diet will help your immune system to calm down! Many people find they are less congested when they remove or minimise dairy foods form the diet for example, wheat, eggs and soy are other common allergens which may be promoting an over active immune response.
- Quercetin is a natural pigment present in many plants, it's widely available, in fact it's one of the most abundant antioxidants in our diet. We find Quercetin in fruits, vegetables and grains. Quercetin has been shown to support appropriate immune function, combat allergies and reduce inflammation. Good food sources of this awesome antioxidant are apples, grapes, berries, leafy greens, asparagus, onions and coriander. Your practitioner may also prescribe a supplement to help address your allergy symptoms.
- Eat some pineapple! Bromelain is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound commonly found in pineapples, particularly the core. It is also available as a nutritional supplement. Bromelain has been shown to reduce respiratory symptoms and inflammation related to allergies.
Antihistamines – Paper Over the Cracks
By blocking the effects of histamine, antihistamines reduce or suppress hay fever symptoms; however, they do not address the underlying hyper-reactive immune response that causes histamine release in the first place. This is why you only experience temporary relief of your symptoms, which return once you stop taking the medication. Alternatively, an approach that builds immune tolerance, which is the ability of the immune system to resist reacting to harmless substances, can treat the underlying cause of hay fever.
By blocking the effects of histamine, antihistamines reduce or suppress hay fever symptoms; however, they do not address the underlying hyper-reactive immune response that causes histamine release in the first place. This is why you only experience temporary relief of your symptoms, which return once you stop taking the medication. Alternatively, an approach that builds immune tolerance, which is the ability of the immune system to resist reacting to harmless substances, can treat the underlying cause of hay fever.