Naturally through the allergy season - tips for everyday life in the pollen season

Boosting the immune system

The sun is shining – at last. Summer is here and we’d love to spend all our time outdoors. For some people, however, being outdoors can be a real ordeal. The air is teeming with pollen, leaving sufferers with runny noses, swollen eyes and physical exhaustion.

A pollen allergy occurs when a person’s immune system reacts hypersensitively to certain types of pollen. The body mistakenly recognises the pollen as a threat and triggers an allergic reaction. This leads to symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, a blocked nose and breathing difficulties. The exact reasons why some people are prone to pollen allergies are not yet fully understood, but it is thought that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. To naturally support the body during this challenging time, we’d like to share a few tips with you in this blog post.

As an allergy is an overreaction of the immune system, having a strong immune system helps enormously, as it mitigates the effects of the allergy. You can lay the foundations for this by getting enough sleep, rest, a healthy diet and regular exercise. Nutrients such as vitamin C can also support the normal functioning of your immune system and should definitely form part of your diet.

Consume histamine-modulating nutrients

What exactly is histamine? Histamine is a natural substance found in the body that plays an important role in allergic reactions. It is produced and stored in specialised cells of the immune system, known as mast cells, as well as in certain nerve cells. Histamine is released when the body reacts to an allergen, such as pollen, animal dander or certain foods. It binds to specific receptors in tissues such as the skin, the airways and the mucous membranes, triggering an inflammatory response. There are certain nutrients that can help to block the effects of histamine in the body or regulate histamine levels, such as quercetin. Quercetin is a flavonoid that occurs naturally in many types of fruit and vegetables. It can inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells. Foods such as onions, apples, berries, cabbage and green tea contain quercetin.

Maintain a healthy gut flora

A healthy gut flora, also known as the microbiota, plays a significant role in regulating the immune system and can influence allergic reactions. The gut is home to a diverse community of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which together form the gut flora. These microorganisms interact closely with the immune system and the gut barrier. To keep your gut flora healthy naturally, you can take the following steps: Follow a high-fibre diet including fruit, vegetables, whole grains, pulses and nuts. Consume probiotic foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut and kefir regularly. Drink plenty of water to aid digestion. Cut down on sugary and highly processed foods. Know your allergens and try to avoid them. Knowing your allergens is the first step towards managing them. An allergy test (e.g. the Medivere allergy test) can help you identify what your body reacts to. Based on this, you can try to avoid the allergens, such as specific types of pollen.

You can find accurate forecasts of expected pollen levels and useful tips on this website, for example.

The Allergy Plus app , based on this information, provides real-time data on current pollen levels and helps you stay up to date whilst on the move about which pollens are currently in the air.

Allergy season can be a real challenge for you and your body. By consciously ensuring your body gets the important nutrients it needs and making appropriate lifestyle adjustments, you can look after yourself during this time. In acute cases, and if your daily life is significantly affected, we naturally recommend that you see a specialist.