Seasonal allergies can throw a curveball into one’s lifestyle. In fact, for some, they can be debilitating. They can impact energy levels, sinus issues, and overall well-being. An allergic reaction happens when the immune system reacts to an allergen like a dangerous bacteria or virus. Seasonal allergies are generally plant-based, such as tree and grass pollen. But there are also food allergies, where people are sensitive to specific foods or food groups, such as stone fruits like cherries, peaches, and plums. Those who have food allergies can also be affected by plant-based or seasonal allergies.
You will discover that working with a naturopathic doctor will increase your ability to stave off allergic reactions for good! A licensed naturopathic doctor can help develop an individualized plan that will eliminate the need for over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Working with a Naturopathic Doctor
Since this is a holistic approach to health, you will start by answering in-depth questions about your diet and digestive system. Your responses will help identify why you have the allergy at all. Have the allergies begun as far back as birth, or have they come on suddenly due to the season or something new added to your diet? Naturopathic doctors have an extensive toolkit to treat the cause and decrease allergic reactions through a variety of modalities. These include nutritional recommendations and supplements, physical medicine, acupuncture, herbs, and homeopathy.
Nutrition
The best way to isolate foods that may contribute to allergic reactions is to eliminate suspicious foods from the diet for about two weeks to see if there is a change. If the food is something you cannot live without, a rotation diet of every four days will help reduce a constant reaction. An anti-inflammatory diet is recommended for most patients, as inflammation causes many unhealthy conditions, including allergies. An anti-inflammatory diet reduces or eliminates saturated fats, refined foods, and sugar from your diet and increases consumption of vegetables, whole grains, and essential fatty acids like nuts, seeds, and cold-water fish like salmon and anchovies.
Natural Treatments
It may sound gross, but using a nasal rinse made from salt and water to clean out each nostril is a quick but effective treatment. The long-standing name for this treatment has been the neti-pot, but several other products can make this an easy task.
Acupuncture can also be used for allergic nasal conditions, such as hay fever, runny nose, itching, or sneezing. Some allergic conditions are caused by liver or lung meridian inadequacy and may require needling and moxibustion (burning mugwort close to or directly on the skin).
Herbs and homeopathic remedies help boost the immune system and manage your allergy symptoms by stimulating your body’s defense mechanism. Each homeopathic remedy is selected based on your symptoms, their patterns, and characteristics.
2Dots Integrative Medicine treats patients with a highly personalized approach. To get started, schedule a free 15-minute consultation. Before you know it, you will wonder how you lived unnecessarily with allergies!
