Pollen allergies: symptoms, natural remedies and foods to avoid
Pollen allergies, which are triggered in spring, affect four out of ten Italians every year. The symptoms of allergies occur at the appearance of the first pollen, in a period that varies from species to species and which makes it necessary, also to understand which foods to avoid for each of us and the most effective natural remedies, an "analysis subjective of the type of pollen that bother us.
Pollen allergies, in fact, are triggered by these small dust produced by plants to reproduce, which spread in the air even over great distances, disturbing predisposed subjects and instead being completely harmless to others. The pollens that create more problems allergies are those of grasses, hazel, dandelion, poplar, willow, birch, elm, oak, beech and nettle.
These are therefore seasonal allergies, linked to the pollination period, which can vary according to the place and climate. The maximum concentration, however, always occurs between March and July and in places where the natural element is predominant.
What are the symptoms of pollen allergies?
The most frequent symptoms of pollen allergies are a stuffy nose or profuse nasal discharge, usually liquid and clear; repeated sneezing; eye problems ranging from conjunctivitis to swelling, watery and burning; itching and burning in the throat or ears.
Symptoms of pollen allergies are also debilitating fatigue, headache, dermatitis or hives. Those who suffer from it may also experience difficulty in breathing, up to bronchial asthma.
A little help to deflate the bags under the eyes: the aloe vera pack
If allergies cause you discomfort and redness in the eyes, you can intervene with a 100% natural remedy that can give you a considerable benefit. In fact, taking advantage of the soothing and refreshing power of aloe vera, you can create a natural pack perfect for deflating bags under the eyes.
Pollen allergies: the main causes
The main causes of pollen allergies are linked to genetic predisposition: some people, in fact, are born with a particular hereditary predisposition to produce certain antibodies when they come into contact with pollen proteins. This is an immediate immune reaction that causes allergy symptoms.
It is also hypothesized that, among the causes of pollen allergies, there may also be the weakening of our immune system, subjected to very high hygiene precautions from an early age.
If it is not possible to precisely identify the exact causes of pollen allergies, we can nevertheless state that there are statistically some factors that lead us to be more at risk: the genetic predisposition, as mentioned, but also the presence of asthma or other allergies in family history; l "being born during the pollen season; l" being firstborn; having been exposed to cigarette smoke in the first year of life; exposure to dust mites.
What are the foods to avoid for those with pollen allergies?
Pollen allergies also lead to food allergies for a good percentage: it is a "cross allergy" due to the fact that some foods to be avoided have allergens common to those of pollen. The immune system reacts to these foods in the same way it would react to contact with pollen due to their botanical relationship.
Food to be avoided if you are allergic to pollen in general is honey. If you suffer from allergies to grasses, among others, melon, watermelon, citrus fruit, kiwi, tomato, peanut, cereals, beets, peaches should be avoided.
Those who are allergic to mugwort and ragweed pollen, on the other hand, should avoid banana, melon, chamomile, celery, carrots, watermelon, apple, pumpkin, chestnut, fennel, parsley and green pepper.
Mulberries, basil, peas, melon and cherry banned if you have an allergy to parietaria pollen; olive oil and olives if you are allergic to olive trees.
Finally, foods to avoid if you are allergic to betulaceae and corylaceae pollen (birch, alder, hazel, hornbeam) are: apple, peach, apricot, walnut and hazelnuts, bananas, cherries, carrots, fennel, potatoes, celery, dried fruit , plums, pears, kiwis and parsley.
Here is a gallery with the main foods to stay away from if you suffer from pollen and grass allergy.
The most effective natural remedies to combat pollen allergies
Are you looking for natural remedies that can alleviate the symptoms of pollen allergies? Traditional medicine includes antihistamine-based therapies, which must be taken under the guidance of a specialist. Antiallergic vaccines are also recommended, to be done in a preventive manner.
However, if, to support the treatment, you want to experiment with natural remedies, you can try taking Perilla, with anti-allergic properties, capable of mitigating symptoms such as asthma, rhinitis and dermatitis.
Another recommended natural remedy is black currant, an anti-inflammatory particularly indicated against rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchitis; or rosehip, which acts to calm the irritation of the mucous membranes, preventing respiratory allergies.
Among the natural herbal remedies are recommended Boswellia (a natural antiallergic), licorice, capable of inhibiting the release of histamine, and the dry extract of Noni, useful against rhinitis and inflammation.
It will also be recommended:
- keep an eye on the flowering calendar to know when the pollination of the plant to which we are allergic will take place and carry out preventive therapy.
- avoid open air places and direct contact with nature as much as possible.
- Pay attention to domestic cleaning and prefer air conditioners, perhaps with an anti-pollen filter.
- Wash face, eyes and hair often.
- Avoid hanging the laundry outdoors
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
