Allergy Season Is Here

Mar 31

As allergy season arrives, many people begin to experience familiar symptoms—sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, fatigue, and even brain fog. While these symptoms are common, they’re not something you simply have to “push through.”

At our practice, we take a holistic approach—helping you feel better now while also improving how your body responds to allergens over time.

Understanding Seasonal Allergies

Allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to typically harmless substances like pollen, mold, or dust. While medications can help manage symptoms, supporting your immune system and reducing underlying inflammation can make a significant difference.

Practical Strategies to Reduce Symptoms

1. Minimize Exposure

Keep windows closed during high pollen days
Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors
Use HEPA air filters in your home
Wash bedding regularly

2. Medications for Symptom Relief

Over-the-counter options can be very effective:

Antihistamines:

Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Loratadine (Claritin)
Fexofenadine (Allegra)

These help reduce sneezing, itching, and runny nose with minimal drowsiness for most people.

Other helpful options:

Nasal steroid sprays (Flonase, Nasacort) for inflammation
Saline nasal rinses to clear allergens. Often works very well when paired with diluted Budesonide
Short-term use of decongestants (when appropriate)

3. Natural & OTC Supplements

Some patients benefit from adding the following:

Quercetin – mild natural antihistamine effect via stabilizing mast cells
Vitamin C – may help reduce histamine levels
Stinging Nettle – mild natural antihistamine effect via blocking histamine receptors
Local honey – small exposures to local pollen may help via immune tolerance

(Always discuss supplements with your physician to ensure they’re appropriate for you.)

4. Gut Health & Allergies: An Important Connection

A key—and often overlooked—piece of the allergy puzzle is gut health.

Approximately 70% of your immune system lives in your gut, and your gut microbiome helps regulate how your immune system responds to triggers. When the gut is out of balance, the immune system can become more reactive, contributing to allergies and inflammation.

Additionally, factors like poor diet, chronic stress, and lack of sleep can contribute to increased intestinal permeability (sometimes referred to as “leaky gut”), which may further drive immune overactivity.

Action Steps to Support Gut Health

1. Improve Diet Quality

Focus on whole, unprocessed foods
Fiber intake from vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains
Little to no sugar and ultra-processed foods

2. Gut-Supportive Supplements

L-glutamine – supports gut lining integrity
Zinc – helps maintain gut barrier function

3. Prioritize Sleep

Aim for 7–8 hours per night
Poor sleep increases inflammation and disrupts gut balance

4. Manage Stress

Chronic stress negatively impacts both gut health and immune regulation
Consider mindfulness, exercise, or other stress-reduction practices

Supporting gut health is not an overnight fix—but over time, it can help reduce immune overreactivity and improve allergy resilience.

Looking Beyond Symptom Relief

While medications and lifestyle changes can help you feel better, they don’t change the underlying allergic response.

The most effective long-term solution for allergies is immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy works by retraining your immune system to tolerate allergens rather than overreacting to them.

At our practice, we offer Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT):

A personalized, needle-free treatment
Taken conveniently at home
Designed to provide long-term relief—not just temporary symptom control