Is coffee bad for hayfever?
Coffee, tea, wine, beer and spirits contain high levels of histamine so consuming them on a regular basis has the potential to make your allergy symptoms worse. Histamine can, for example, bring the skin up in a red, itchy, angry-looking rash, plus it may dilate your blood vessels thus resulting in inflammation.
Top tip 1 – Curb the caffeine!
Instead of abandoning your favourite hot drink altogether you could simply opt for a caffeine free alternative such as Bambu. Made from organic chicory, Turkish figs, malted barley, wheat and Greek acorns, this has a delicious rich favour.
Alternatively, if tea is more your thing then swap your usual brew for some anti-inflammatory green tea or a refreshing blend of nettle tea. This has anti-inflammatory properties but is also a good source of vitamin C which supports the immune system.
Should hayfever sufferers avoid dairy products?
People prone to allergic reactions often struggle with dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt. That’s because it can make phlegm thicker thus worsening symptoms such as congestion or blocked ears.
Top tip 2 – Be wary of mucus-inducing dairy products
Instead of opting for your usual brand of yogurt or cheese why not swap them for some tasty dairy-free alternatives? From almond and soya milk to dairy-free yogurts, there are so many options to choose from!
Does sugar affect hayfever symptoms?
Refined sugar, which is found in a variety of everyday products such as cakes, cereal, and bottled sauces, can also be problematic for hayfever sufferers. That’s because it can trigger a dramatic rise and then fall in blood sugar levels; which go on to cause a surge in adrenaline that activates histamine release.
Top tip 3 – Opt for natural sugars
Instead of opting for these processed foods, hayfever sufferers may benefit from more natural produce such as fresh meat, fish and fruit and vegetables. These can be consumed alongside complex carbohydrates and wholegrains that will not only deliver a healthy meal, but are all low in histamine too.
Does vitamin C help with allergies?
Vitamin C can help allergy sufferers in a number of ways. First of all, it is a natural antihistamine meaning it could counteract the damaging effects of histamine. As well as this, vitamin C supports the immune system so that it is better able to fend off allergens.
Top tip 4 – Top up on vitamin C
Your body can’t make or store vitamin C so it has to be available in low, consistent doses in order to provide the benefits listed above. Oranges are the most well-known source of vitamin C but don’t forget that broccoli, strawberries and potatoes are also abundant in it too.
To maximize your vitamin C intake you may wish to try a natural supplement such as our Nature-C tablets. These are made from extracts of a wide variety of fruits including blackcurrants, lemon, passion fruit and gooseberry. This list of natural ingredients is in contrast to many other vitamin C supplements which are made synthetically.
Does hayfever cause inflammation?
Histamine often causes inflammation in the nasal passages which explains why we get the feeling of a blocked nose during hayfever season. Inflammation can, however, extend to the lips and eyes as well. This may result in redness, swelling and itching, plus the skin often becomes more sensitive.
Top tip 5 – Fill your diet with tasty anti-inflammatory foods
There are a whole range of anti-inflammatory foods which should help you counteract the damaging effects of histamine. This includes blueberries, blackberries, purple grapes, blackcurrants, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, butternut squash, mangoes, apricots, peaches, nectarines, papaya, pears, pineapples, prunes, plums, raisins, figs, avocadoes, herring, pilchards, sardines, salmon, pumpkinseed oil and flaxseed oil.
How does pollen get in the house?
If you leave your windows open when the pollen counts are high it can easily get inside your home. Also, pollen collects on your clothes, hair and shoes when you are out and about so when you return home it can spread from here.
Top tip 6 – Keep pollen out of the house
To minimise the spread of pollen I’d recommend you take your shoes off before entering the house. Once indoors change your clothes immediately, preferably in the bathroom, as, once again, this should stop pollen being distributed indoors. Another of my top tips is to dry your clothes indoors as damp clothes on the washing line will easily collect pollen.
Does hayfever cause a runny nose?
In order to trap and wash out pollen the mucous membranes begin to produce more mucus and as a result, a runny nose can often crop up as a result of hayfever.
Top tip 8 – Try a little barrier balm
Spreading a little barrier balm such as coconut oil around the edge of each nostril can trap or block pollen. Remember to reapply this each time you blow your nose though or else the effects won’t be long-lasting.
If you are suffering from a runny nose then it may be also beneficial to try our Pollinosan Luffa Nasal Spray. This cleanses the nasal passages of allergens which soothes and comforts the area. Unlike many other nasal sprays this one can be used for a pro-longed period of time.
Why is my hayfever so bad?
There are a number of things that can contribute to severe hayfever symptoms including digestive issues and lack of sleep. These reduce the effectiveness of the immune system and as a result, pollen becomes harder for the body to deal with.
Hayfever can be made worse still by stress as this releases more histamine into the body. If you’re feeling stressed and suffer from an allergy, your body produces much more histamine than would normally be the case. It’s no surprise then that allergy symptoms including congestion, a runny nose, skin irritation and swelling all get worse when the body is under stress – there’s just too much histamine circulating the body.
Top tip 9 – Try Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets!
If you are suffering from a range of very severe hayfever symptoms I’d really recommend you give our Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets a try. These are made from 7 tropical herbs which have traditionally been used to treat hayfever. The tablets address symptoms including a blocked nose, a runny nose, itchy eyes and itching. Unlike many conventional hayfever treatments this product will not affect your ability to use machinery or drive because it does not cause drowsiness.
How is a pollen count measured?
Pollen is released into the air by trees, weeds and grass when they go through a state of fertilisation. To determine the pollen count, we measure the number of pollen grains in a cubic meter of air.
Top tip 10 – Keep an eye on the pollen count in your area!
Pollen counts are great for measuring the amount of pollen in the air which will allow you to determine how bad your symptoms might be on any given day. You can find a local 5 day pollen forecast by clicking the links below. As well as proving up-to-date information on the pollen count in your area, it also highlights pollen hotspots, as well as hayfever-friendly activities.
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