Springtime allergies are often called hay fever or rhinitis, and they affect millions of people every year. If spring flowers make you want to sneeze instead of smile, seasonal pollen allergens could be to blame.
At Indus Healthcare, with locations in Pomona, West Covina, and Montclair, California, Dr. Amit Reena Paliwal takes a holistic approach to allergies. He can provide integrative and alternative medicine therapies to relieve your nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat symptoms.
Top cause of seasonal allergies
The biggest springtime allergy trigger is pollen. Pollen can come from trees, grasses, or weeds, and concentrations are typically worse on windy days. When you inhale the pollen, your immune system may see it as a danger. In response, your body releases histamines, which can trigger itchiness in your eyes, a runny and/or stuffy nose, swelling of the nasal passages, and scratchiness in your throat. Once your immune response is triggered, you can stay in a constant state of immune response for months.
Traditional treatment for spring allergies
Most people who get allergies run to the pharmacy. You can buy oral antihistamines to tamp down your chemical response to allergens, or pick up a bottle of nasal spray to shrink swollen sinus tissue. Decongestants come in both oral and nasal forms. The drawback to all of these remedies is that your symptoms can return if you don’t keep taking them, but if you keep taking them, they can become ineffective.
Alternative allergy treatments
Fortunately, there are other methods of treating allergic reactions to pollen. There are many herbal supplements and holistic treatments that can be used to replace or supplement over-the-counter medications. These include:
Butterbur
Butterbur is a marsh plant that grows across Europe and in areas of Asia and North America. As an herbal supplement, it has been shown to be effective for treating nasal allergies.
Bromelain
Bromelain, an enzyme found naturally in pineapples, can help bring down swelling and inflammation of the sinuses caused by springtime allergies.
Acupuncture
Another potential treatment for allergies is acupuncture. Acupuncture has been shown to be particularly effective in treating allergic rhinitis, relieving pain and pressure in the sinuses.
If you suffer from seasonal or chronic allergies, Dr. Paliwal can help create a customized treatment program for you. He may combine both traditional and alternative treatments to help manage your symptoms and get you through the pollen-heavy springtime months.
If you usually get allergies every spring and want to get a jump on managing your anticipated symptoms, call one of our locations or book an appointment online with Dr. Paliwal today.
