More and more of the population experience seasonal allergies and report that the symptoms are much more than a mild inconvenience. According to the CDC, over 19 million adults and six million children in America were diagnosed with hay fever in 2021. The percent of the population affected by seasonal allergies continues to steadily rise as urban living, pollution and climate change exacerbate symptoms.
Combine this with high stress levels (which stimulates histamine release) and the patient experiences an even greater exacerbation of symptoms. It’s also worth noting that dehydration and hypoglycemia1 also result in enhanced histamine release, another great reason to stay hydrated and keep your blood sugar stable!
Seasonal allergies are the result of an inaccurate immune system that is mistakenly reacting to what should be experienced as harmless airborne substances, namely pollens. When people with hay fever come into contact with certain pollens (from trees, grasses or weeds) or even mold spores, their mast cells release histamine and other inflammatory cytokines into the blood stream, which then leads to watery, itchy eyes, running and/or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and itching of the throat or ears.
There are numerous pharmaceutical and nutraceutical options for patients to choose from when it comes to seasonal allergies and it’s important to know the benefits and drawbacks of each option. Antihistamines are the most common conventional treatment for hay fever, which work by binding and blocking the activity H1 receptors in the body. Antihistamines do not block the release of histamine nor facilitate the metabolism or break down of histamine. There are first generation antihistamines, which cross the blood brain barrier and are sedating and have the following adverse effect profile: seizures (rare), nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, epigastric distress, thrombocytopenia and agranulocytosis. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and chlotrimeton (chlorpheniramine) are popular brand name first generation antihistamines, noting that these drugs are contraindicated with CNS depressants and MAO inhibitors.
Claritin (loratidine), Clarinex (desloratadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Allegra (fexofenadine) are common second generation antihistamines that do not cross blood brain barrier and are generally non-sedating. Desloratadine has the following common adverse reaction profile: headaches 14%, irritability 12%, diarrhea 15-20%, upper respiratory tract infection 11-21%, cough 11% and fever 12-17%. Cetirizine has the following common adverse reactions: drowsiness 14%, headache 11-14%, and insomnia 9%. The lists of contraindications and drug interactions with each antihistamine are quite long and should be reviewed for patients on multi-pharma combinations.
Get A Vitamin C Injection to Calm Immune Response
Vitamin C supplementation has been shown to inhibit the release of histamine. Vitamin C depletion has been correlated with histaminemia and elevated serum histamine levels. There is limited research that looks at the effects of vitamin C on hay fever and while it is not a primary therapeutic for allergies, it is often helpful in combination formulas that include the aforementioned flavonoids. In addition, vitamin C is a common deficiency with more than 40% of teenagers and adults in the US not getting enough of this essential vitamin in their diet. Dose: 500-3,000mg/day in divided doses.
Other Benefits of Vitamin C
Vitamin C May help with depression as Vit C is needed for epi/norepinephrine synthesis. Vitamin C may boost the immune system as Vit C is required for production of interferon. Higher ascorbate levels are associated with lower rates of stroke, lower blood pressure in hypertension, improved endothelial function in smokers, diabetics, and hyper cholesterol states.
Vitamin C infusion therapies at higher doses may give the following benefits:
Improves skin texture and makes it glow.
Boosts your immune system to fight stress, flu, colds and low energy.
Protects cell structures DNA, protein, and collagen from oxyradicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) antioxidant properties.
Accelerates wound healing by aiding in the production of proline and lysine enzymes.
Accelerates collagen production.
Boosts energy by facilitating fat breakdown.
Other Ways to Reduce Allergies Symptoms
Decrease antigen exposure in your bedroom:
Encase pillows, comforters, mattresses, and box springs zippered, allergen-impermeable, dust-proof casings.
Avoid purchasing foam rubber pillows and mattresses as they are more likely to harbor molds.
Avoid memory foam as it is highly allergenic.
Wash blankets, sheets, and mattress pads every week in hot water! Use hypoallergenic/ additive free detergent. Hot water kills dust mites. Cold or warm water does not. Put all pillows in dryer for 30 minutes weekly to kill dust mites.
Keep closet doors in bedroom closed and wet dust furniture in bedrooms weekly
Avoid common dust collectors, such as cloth wall hangings, stuffed animals and piles of clothing in bedroom.
Install a high-quality HEPA air purifier to remove airborne allergen particles, molds, animal dander and pollutants. Austin Air HealthMate is a great option for the bedroom and IQ Air filters for living areas.
Change filters on a heating system every season: 3M Ultra Allergen 1 is readily available and a good option.
Do not keep clothes that have been dry-cleaned in a bedroom.
Avoid mothballs, furniture polishes and air fresheners. Substitute non-toxic, environmentally friendly alternatives for chemical-based products.
If you would like to try a Vitamin C injection you call, email or book online here (look under our Wellness section) Renove Med Spa | Service Menu (booker.com)
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