The effect of allergy season can be disruptive beyond the typical discomfort of nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. Chronic inflammation in the sinuses can create an environment that allows opportunistic infections to thrive. Adult allergy sufferers commonly experience sinus infections, whereas ear infections may occur more frequently in children during pollen and mold seasons. The hypersensitive immune response that triggers the imflammatory response associated with allergy symptoms can produce an “inflamed “ neurological response. For most of us, that translates into irritability, distractedness, poor concentration, low energy, and a short fuse. For many children with ADHD, Autism and other related disorders, it can trigger a significant worsening of their behaviors including, increased impulsivity & inattentiveness, intensified stimms & perseverative behaviour, and prolonged tantrums, even when lab work determines no evidence of IgE mediated seasonal allergies.

In addition to the most obvious allergy symptoms are oral symptoms such as itchiness in the mouth. This phenomenon occurs mostly in adults and is referred to as Oral Allergy Syndrome. The intake of foods within the cross-pollinated species are the cause of these symptoms. Elimination of these foods is the primary treatment.

While many physicians may offer a range of pharmaceutical remedies to treat allergies, those products may come with challenging side effects that can far outweigh the benefits. The nutriceutical industry also provides solutions, most of which rely on the benefits of quercetin. While quercetin is a potent anti-inflammatory, it inhibits the activity of the COMT enzyme, and therefore compromises the degradation of the “fight and flight” molecules, dopamine and norepinephrine. In this context, treating allergies without a full understanding of an individual’s biochemistry can lead to both positive and negative outcome. Understanding the range of biomedical imbalances associated with allergy symptoms, and blending the benefits of many ingredients may offer the best solution with the fewest side effects.

The key to developing an ideal regimen to combat these symptoms is the tailoring of the therapy to meet the unique demands of each individual. Be sensitive to the boilerplate application of typical antihistamines, anti-inflammatory products, and in particular, those prepared with toxic preservatives, dyes, and artificial sweeteners, etc., as they can result in unnecessary side effects, Any regimen should include a careful assessment of each individual including potential sensitivities to nutrients that can produce neurological side effects. My experience has been that understanding the history, personality and experiences of clients leads to a more optimal combination and ultimately a result in keeping with a person’s lifestyle and needs.

Please share your experience or questions. Have you found yourself hit by this season’s onslaught of airborne allergens? And, if so, have your symptoms gone beyond the ‘typical?’ What therapies have you used– conventional, nutriceutical or other?

There are, of course, ways to fortify your immune system and minimize the hypersensitive immune response. While for some, this may just be a very difficult season, though arming yourself with knowledge and some level of preparation may help make this time much more tolerable.