Did you know that allergy season can last all year? Depending on what you are allergic to, you can notice allergy symptoms throughout the year. In the Pacific Northwest, we often see allergy season start in February to March with the start of tree and grass allergies. You can use an app, like Allergy Plus, to track allergen levels where you live.
Month | Pollen Allergens in Season (Willamette Valley, OR) |
January - March | Alder, Birch, Hazelnut |
March - May | Maple, Oak, Birch, Ash |
May - July | Timothy Grass, Ryegrass, Bluegrass |
July - September | Mugwort, Ragweed, Sagebrush |
September - November | Mold Spores, Dust Mites |
Year-Round | Think about indoor allergies like dust and pet dander |
Living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I have struggled with allergies most of my adult life. When allergies are flared, I can feel miserable. Not only do I get runny nose and congestion, but it often causes fatigue, headache, post nasal drainage and flares mast cells.
A functional medicine approach works to treat the root cause, but can take some time. The functional medicine approach focuses primarily on calming down an overactive TH2 immune system. This immune pathway can be flared from MANY reasons and tends to be something that can run in the family.
TH2 dominance can be a primary driver in what we call atopic conditions: allergies, asthma and eczema. Allergies and the TH2 pathway can flare when the immune system is out of balance.
Common drivers of the TH2 immune pathway:
Leaky Gut & Dysbiosis
Toxicity (especially mold/mycotoxins and heavy metals)
Nutrient deficiencies (especially vitamin D, zinc, selenium)
Chronic Infections (parasites, candida, viral)
Histamine intolerance & Mast cell activation
Stress
So what can you do when you are working on o root cause BUT still having allergy symptoms? Here are my top 5 recommendations for allergy treatment.
Allergy medications: There are so many choices at the pharmacy, so how do you choose? Start with a less sedating OTC options.
Cheapest: Loratadine (Claritin)
Least sedating: Fexofenadine (Allegra)-available in 12 or 24 hour formulations)
Most sedating: Certirizine (Zyrtec)
Most effective: Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
Older "1st generation" allergy medications (benadryl and unisom) are great for more intense allergic reactions but are very sedating. Because of the sedation, they are often used for sleep.
Supplements -Quercetin, Luteolin & Rutin are 3 of the most commonly used allergy supplements that act as mast cell stabilizers. Nettle Leaf is a great anti-histamine option.
Quercetin -This is one of the most common ingredient in allergy combo products like Aller-All, Hista-Quel, Hista-Aid, D-Hist and more. Quercetin by itself is not well absorbed so the best options are a combo with other supplements that aid in synergestic benefits. Miraca contains Luteolin+PEA.
Nasal Sprays-great for seasonal allergy nasal symptoms. These are safer with less side effects than steroid nasal sprays.
Azelastine (Astelin, Astepro)
Olopataday (Patanase)-this is a prescription only option
Cromolyn (NasalCrom)
Propilis nasal spray (discount available on Fullscript)
Note: use caution with decongestant nasal sprays like afrin as they can create worse congestion and dependence. they should never be used for more than 2-3 days.
Eye Drops-
Oloparatine (Pataday)-This is great option as it is both mast cell stabilizer and also anti-histamine
Cromolyn (OptiCrom)-This is prescription only
Ketotifen (Zaditor, Alaway)-this is anti-histamine and can work faster than cromolyn.
Nasal rinse-rinsing nasal and sinus passageways with saline is a great way to help rinse away allergens and it also helps to keep the mucous healthy. Now if you have not tried this or you have and it has not been a great experience, I would encourage you to keep trying. Keep your head tilted forward to avoid the water from going down the back of your throat. Here is a video from Mayo Clinic on using Neti pot/Neil Med rinse.
Neti pot-you will want to use a recipe for saline solution using sterile (distilled) water and salt. I buy Ancient Nutrients on Amazon (you can get in a tub or packets for travel).
Neil Med rinse-These are available online and iin many stores. Be sure to keep this sanitized. I recommend buying multiple and sanitizing in the dishwasher between uses. You can use any of the salt packets or products.
Xlear contains xylitol and can also help with allergy symptoms.
Don't forget about using common sense and avoid exposure whenever you can. If you are outdoors during high pollen count days, consider using a saline nasal gel before you go outdoors then blow nose and rinse with saline rinse when you come back inside. Also, reduce tracking pollens indoors by leaving shoes outdoors and changing clothes and showering when you come back indoors.
We’ve compiled all the products mentioned in my Allergy Plan on Fullscript. You can shop for products from this plan here with a 15% discount:
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