Integrative Medicine Approach to Allergies

by Debbe Geiger
Duke Integrative Medicine
April 2009

When seasonal allergies strike, people want relief. But not everyone wants that relief to come from an over-the-counter or prescription drug. Fortunately, there’s much you can do to minimize your exposure to allergens before symptoms rear their ugly head. And, several alternative approaches are becoming increasingly popular when it comes to easing the sneezing, stuffiness and watery eyes that may eventually occur.

One way, says Michelle Bailey, MD, a physician at Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham, is to keep the windows closed in your home and car during allergy season. A sufferer herself, Bailey says she washes her hands and face regularly throughout the day, and changes her clothes if she’s spent a lot of time outdoors.

Using an air purifier in your home can trap dust mites and mold spores which many pollen-sensitive people are also allergic to. The presence of dust mites can also be minimized with allergen-proof covers for mattresses and pillows. Showering before bed, especially if you’ve been outdoors in the evening, will help as well. After all, who wants to sleep on a pollen-coated pillowcase?

Certain foods can worsen seasonal allergies because they contain proteins related to pollen, so some folks might find it helps to avoid them. The protein in ragweed, for example, is related to chemicals in cantaloupe, banana, sunflower seeds, zucchini and cucumbers. Grass pollen is related to peaches, celery, melons and tomatoes. Birch pollen is related to many vegetables, fruits and nuts, including potatoes, apples and some pitted fruits. Often allergic reactions can be mitigated by cooking these foods first.

When the pollen count is high, Bailey says, "I regularly use a warm saline solution to rinse out my sinuses." You can purchase a pre-filled saline nasal inhaler in the drug store, or you can make a saline solution at home by adding a pinch of salt and a dash of baking soda to warm boiled water that has been cooled. If she makes it herself, Bailey puts the solution in a plastic syringe or a neti pot which is designed to clean out the nasal passages. It works by pouring saltwater into one nostril so that it drains out the other. Bailey says studies show a saline nasal rinse works.

When the first sign of allergy symptoms occur, Bailey uses that nasal rinse up to four times a day. "It helps thin the mucus in my nose and washes it away along with pollen and other irritants." It only takes a few minutes to incorporate the nasal rinse into your morning shower routine.

Aromatherapy can help too. It involves using a few drops of strong peppermint or eucalyptus oil on a warm cloth. Hold it under your nose and "breathe in deeply for three to five minutes to clear stuffiness and congestion," she says. Putting a few drops in a warm bath and inhaling the scented steam works too.

There are many other treatments for sale, yet none have gone through enough clinical trials to be considered effective. Quercetin, for example, is a bioflavonoid typically found in foods like apple skins and red onion and is sold in health food stores as a supplement. It’s supposed to stabilize mast cells which can release the histamines known to trigger an allergic reaction. The herb stinging nettle is also supposed to provide relief.

But Bailey says there is little to no evidence to back up their claims, and much more scientific data is needed about their safety, effectiveness and appropriate use before she recommends that anyone take them.

While these supplements are probably harmless, she stresses that it’s important to check with your physician before taking any herbal supplements as they may interact with other medications you may be taking.

Some studies suggest acupuncture can help people improve their allergy symptoms. But again, Bailey says there’s still not enough evidence to say definitively that it might help. Likewise, there isn’t much evidence to suggest that massage or other relaxation techniques do much to improve allergies or provide relief but there are some folks who claim they do. If they make you feel good, Bailey says, there’s no harm in doing them, but don’t expect much in the way of allergy relief.

Similarly, probiotics, the so-called "good" bacteria found in yogurt and available in upplement form, have been called allergy fighters, but studies supporting those claims are few and far between.

The bottom line, says Bailey is that people with severe allergies probably won’t find much relief from most of the alternative medicines that line store shelves. And abandoning your conventional allergy treatments may not be the optimal route.

"Talk to your doctor about your concerns and find an approach that works for you," she says. It maybe that integrating some forms of alternative treatment with treatments that have proven to work for you may be the best scenario.

Debbe Geiger is a senior media relations specialist in the Duke Medical Center, 919.684.4148, debbe.geiger@duke.edu . For more information on integrative approaches to medical care, please contact Duke Integrative Medicine at 919.660.6826