The changing season is often an uncomfortable time for allergy sufferers as the warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours prompt grasses, flowers, trees and weeds to bloom.

As pollen counts rise, sniffles, scratchy eyes, itching noses and throats, coughing and fatigue can set in, making life unpleasant for those who suffer from seasonal allergies.

Also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, symptoms occur when our immune system overreacts to airborne allergens like pollen.

When we breathe in or come into contact with these allergens, our body perceives them as a threat, releasing histamine and other chemicals to fight them off, which is what causes the bothersome allergy symptoms.

Springtime sniffles

Allergic respiratory diseases affect about 20 million South Africans, with pollen and fungal allergens among the leading triggers1.

While allergies are prevalent year-round in South Africa due to the country’s floral diversity, cases of allergic rhinitis are often most pronounced during seasonal transitions, particularly at the start of spring.

Pollen counts usually increase during September, October and November, along with mould and fungal spore levels as trees, flowers, weeds and grasses produce more of these natural substances.

Climate change is also making allergy seasons longer2, as higher temperatures lead to longer pollen seasons.

As these fine plant microspores spread in the wind, they can land in our eyes, noses, and lungs, where they can trigger an allergic reaction, leaving us congested and wheezy, or dealing with bouts of sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes and runny noses.

These symptoms can leave you feeling uncomfortable due to the sinus pressure and can disrupt sleep, leaving you feeling tired, run down and lethargic.

Studies3 also suggest that allergens could play a role in mood disorders like depression and anxiety.

Finding relief from allergies

If you suffer from severe hay fever, the best approach is to avoid or minimise your exposure to potential allergens by staying indoors in an air-conditioned environment with the windows closed.

If you head outdoors, avoid heavily wooded or grassy areas, and avoid going out on warm, dry and windy days, or areas with freshly cut grass.

There are also various complementary health approaches to treat or lessen the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)4, researchers have investigated probiotics to treat diseases of the immune system, including allergies. Although some studies have had promising results, the overall evidence on probiotics and allergic rhinitis is inconsistent. It is possible that some types of probiotics are helpful but that others are not.

Light exercise may also help to alleviate allergy symptoms by boosting your immune system and the increased blood flow can help to reduce inflammation and open airways in your nose, mouth and lungs.

Medications and supplements

You can also consult with your local Dis-Chem pharmacist for over-the-counter medication or other options to treat hay fever symptoms, such as a decongestant or saline nasal spray.

Supplementing with immune-boosting nutrients and dietary components, including vitamins A, D, and E, minerals zinc, iron, and selenium, dietary fibre, essential fatty acids, and phytochemicals, are also effective in the prevention or treatment of allergic diseases through the suppression of type 2 inflammation5.

However, it is advisable to consult your doctor to diagnose any potential underlying chronic conditions and determine the best type of medication to treat your allergies, which may include oral or nasal steroid medication and/or antihistamines.

Act early to reduce symptoms

In general, those who suffer from severe pollen allergies should take proactive steps to prepare for allergy season at least two weeks before it starts in an effort to reduce symptoms.

One sensible and proactive measure is pre-empting days when high pollen counts are more likely by visiting www.pollensa.co.za or various weather apps and websites that provide this info. With this information, allergy sufferers can make informed decisions about when to head outdoors.

You can find another helpful resource at www.allergyfoundation.co.za. The website shares findings from an Adcock Ingram-funded South African regional study on allergies conducted by independent aerobiologist, Dilys Berman.

The study identified the plants most commonly associated with hay fever and indicates where they are commonly found, which can empower sufferers to better control their allergies with information on expected seasonal allergen spikes.

References:

  1. Ajikah, Linus & Neumann, Frank & Berman, Dilys & Peter, Jonny. (2020). Aerobiology in South Africa: A new hope!. South African Journal of Science. 116. 10.17159/sajs.2020/8112.
  2. Schreurs, W., Schermer, T.R.J., Akkermans, R.P. et al. 25-year retrospective longitudinal study on seasonal allergic rhinitis associations with air temperature in general practice. npj Prim. Care Respir. Med. 32, 54 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41533-022-00319-2.
  3. Amritwar AU, Lowry CA, Brenner LA, Hoisington AJ, Hamilton R, Stiller JW, Postolache TT. Mental Health in Allergic Rhinitis: Depression and Suicidal Behavior. Curr Treat Options Allergy. 2017 Mar;4(1):71-97. doi: 10.1007/s40521-017-0110-z. Epub 2017 Mar 25. PMID: 28966902; PMCID: PMC5614510.
  4. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance.
  5. Zhang P. The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Allergic Diseases. Nutrients. 2023 Aug 22;15(17):3683. doi: 10.3390/nu15173683. PMID: 37686715; PMCID: PMC10490368.