When the crisp coolness of winter turns to spring, do your eyes water, nose itch & airways constrict? Hay fever happens when your immune system overreacts to environmental factors that are normally harmless (such as pollen or dust). In other words, it’s the sensitivity settings of your immune system that causes the issues you experience. Interestingly, research shows that supporting gut health with probiotics can help calm an oversensitive immune system, helping to tackle those pesky hay fever symptoms. If hay fever has taken over your life, then listen up because we’ve got some great tips to help you settle your itchiness and put an end to the non-stop sneezing.
Probiotics and allergy – what’s the connection?
Th bacteria in your gut microbiome lay the foundation of balance in the body, especially when it comes to your immune health. In people with allergies, imbalances in good gut bacteria have been observed compared to people who don’t experience allergies.1 Research shows that low levels of good bacteria can promote inflammatory signals in the body,2 which can trigger the immune system to release more histamine* that worsens hay fever.3
*Histamine is the chemical your immune system produces when exposed to allergens, responsible for the swelling and itching in your nasal passages and eyes.
To help settle your immune system, Inner Health Hayfever Relief contains probiotics that relieve hayfever symptoms, decrease the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and help reduce the occurrence of mild allergies. The key ingredient, Lactobacillus paracasei (LP-33®) has been shown to reduce the frequency and intensity of allergic symptoms after 30 days.4 By supporting a balance of good bacteria in your gut,5,6 probiotics can help improve allergic symptoms.
6 simple ways to help settle hay fever
To help you put down the tissues and antihistamines, there are six things you can try to minimise allergy symptoms:
1. Keep your windows closed
When pollen levels are high (e.g., early morning and evening) to prevent pollen entering your home.
2. Reduce your intake of histamine-triggering foods and drinks
Such as coffee, beer, cider, and wine. You might find limiting these foods could help improve your hay fever.
3. Vacuum your house frequently
With a high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter to eliminate pollens and allergens from your home.
4. Minimise pollen being spread throughout your house
By showering, washing your hair and changing your clothes when you get home.
5. Wash your bed sheets frequently
On hot mode to remove pollen that may have made its way into bed. Dry your sheets indoors or in the dryer to prevent pollen sticking to them as they dry.
6. Check tomorrow’s pollen forecast
So, you can be prepared to manage a high pollen day.
See you later hay fever, hello spring!
Before you start researching where you can live other than Earth, test some strategies to increase your tolerance to allergic triggers. Consider introducing Inner Health Hayfever Relief to your daily regime to reduce symptoms of hayfever, allergic rhinitis and mild allergies. Paired with some simple strategies to lower allergy exposure, watch yourself go from sore, red, itchy eyes to eyes twinkling in the Spring sun in no time!
References
- Waligora-Dupriet A, Marie-José Butel M. Microbiota and allergy: From dysbiosis to probiotics [Internet]. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech; 2012 [cited 2015 Oct 5]. Available from: http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/31790/InTech-Microbiota_and_allergy_from_dysbiosis_to_probiotics.pdf
- Colombo BM, Scalvenzi T, Benlamara S, Pollet N. Microbiota and mucosal immunity in amphibians. Front Immunol. 2015;6:111. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00111.
- Afrin LB, Khoruts A. Mast cell activation disease and microbiotic interactions. Clin Ther. 2015 May 1;37(5):941-53. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2015.02.008.
- Peng GC, Hsu CH. The efficacy and safety of heat-killed Lactobacillus paracasei for treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis induced by house-dust mite. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2005 Aug;16(5):433-8. PMID: 16101937.
- Prescott SL. Early-life environmental determinants of allergic diseases and the wider pandemic of inflammatory noncommunicable diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2013 Jan;131(1):23-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.11.019.
- Kamada N, Seo SU, Chen GY, Núñez G. Role of the gut microbiota in immunity and inflammatory disease. Nat Rev Immunol. 2013 May;13(5):321-35. doi:10.1038/nri3430.
