Ask an Expert
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JUNE TOPIC: Natural Remedies for Allergies
Lorraine Cucci, RN
Founder of Healing Path to Health |
OUR EXPERT:
Lorraine Cucci, RN, has 40 years of nursing experience and is also a certified reflexologist, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher, medical intuitive and an integrative healthcare practitioner. She possesses a broad clinical knowledge that complements her holistic approaches to health and wellness. As an integrative healthcare practitioner, Lorraine combines her medical knowledge with her medical intuition and complementary health modalities to provide compassionate support to her clients in their quest for health and wellness. "I believe in a more holistic, organic and intuitive approach to healing. It’s not only about taking a pill. You need to look at the whole person and start with her internal compass, so I first concentrate on finding out who my client is and what’s going on in her life," says Lorraine. During this pandemic, Lorraine has been offering the following remote services at a reduced rate: Long-Distance Reiki, Psychic Intuitive Readings, Wellness Consultations. Find out more HERE. |
“Do you recommend anything for watery, red eyes? I’m not even sure what I’m allergic to, but in early spring, something causes my eyes to be red/watery.” ~ Eva (NC)
Hi Eva,
Antihistamine eye drops are specifically formulated to treat itching due to allergies. Allergy eye drops work by reducing histamine in the eye tissues. Histamine, which is released from our mast cells, is responsible for the red, swollen and itchy sensations associated with allergic reactions.
Allergies can cause the above mentioned eye symptoms and may also include watery, red, puffy and swollen eyes which you have described. Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops may reduce some of these eye symptoms.
Some decongestant eye drops for red eyes also have antihistamines in them. They are labeled as treatments for itching due to allergies, but decongestant eye drops usually aren’t recommended for long-term use.
Best of health to you!
“Can you develop allergies later in life? Is this typical? I never had allergies growing up…but now I think I do. If I open my windows when spring blooms are fresh and new, I might sneeze up to ten times. So I think something has changed. Anything I should take?” ~ Beth (VA)
Hi Beth,
This is a question that many people ask, especially in the spring season. Yes, it is a common occurrence for many people and can happen later in a person’s life, even if you have never had allergies.
Typically, spring seasonal allergies start with the tree pollens. Then, in late spring and summer, a triple whammy of tree, grass and weed pollens are in the mix. Late summer and fall bring in the ragweed and pollen season.
However, how the body reacts to allergies is on our cellular level – eosinophils and mast cells are the primary instigators of the allergic response. Mast cells contain histamine, which is responsible for the red, swollen and itchy sensations associated with allergic reactions.
There are many approaches to the treatment of allergies. If your allergies are relatively new, you may want to start with your immune system. Eighty percent of your immune system is located in your gut; so it makes sense to start with the health of your gut. Other factors to consider when working with allergies are the management of environmental triggers, correction of nutritional deficiencies as well as the function of your adrenal glands.
A holistic approach with the help of an integrative healthcare practitioner, one that incorporates the previously mentioned factors, should be initially considered for your treatment plan regarding your allergies.
In the meantime, for a temporary quick-fix, consider an over-the-counter antihistamine to alleviate your symptoms.
Best of health to you!
“How do you know the difference between sneezing and coughing due to allergies and what might be signs of COVID-19?” ~ Sanctuary Team
Coincidentally, the COVID-19 virus showed up right around the start of our Eastern Hemisphere spring season, confusing many of us with similar symptoms.
The common symptoms of spring allergies and COVID-19 can be coughing, headaches, fatigue, rashes, shortness of breath and wheezing.
There is a distinct difference though. With COVID-19, you usually have a fever along with shortness of breath. If the fever and shortness of breath get worse, contact your healthcare provider for further management of the symptoms.
“Is there anything I can do with my home, short of keeping the windows closed up tight?” ~ A.S. (CO)
Hi A.S.,
Yes, of course there are ways that you can decrease the triggers that cause allergies for you in your home.
I would recommend starting with a good deep cleaning of your home. If you have central air conditioning, make sure that the filters are changed frequently during the time that it is being used. On high pollen days, keep your windows shut and the air conditioning on. It's also beneficial to have a home air purifier that will reduce the amount of pollen in your home.
Another good idea: When you come back into your house from being outside, take a shower and wash your hair to remove any pollen that may have settled on your skin and hair.
Hopefully these suggested practices will be of some benefit to you. Best of health to you!
Hi Eva,
Antihistamine eye drops are specifically formulated to treat itching due to allergies. Allergy eye drops work by reducing histamine in the eye tissues. Histamine, which is released from our mast cells, is responsible for the red, swollen and itchy sensations associated with allergic reactions.
Allergies can cause the above mentioned eye symptoms and may also include watery, red, puffy and swollen eyes which you have described. Over-the-counter antihistamine eye drops may reduce some of these eye symptoms.
Some decongestant eye drops for red eyes also have antihistamines in them. They are labeled as treatments for itching due to allergies, but decongestant eye drops usually aren’t recommended for long-term use.
Best of health to you!
“Can you develop allergies later in life? Is this typical? I never had allergies growing up…but now I think I do. If I open my windows when spring blooms are fresh and new, I might sneeze up to ten times. So I think something has changed. Anything I should take?” ~ Beth (VA)
Hi Beth,
This is a question that many people ask, especially in the spring season. Yes, it is a common occurrence for many people and can happen later in a person’s life, even if you have never had allergies.
Typically, spring seasonal allergies start with the tree pollens. Then, in late spring and summer, a triple whammy of tree, grass and weed pollens are in the mix. Late summer and fall bring in the ragweed and pollen season.
However, how the body reacts to allergies is on our cellular level – eosinophils and mast cells are the primary instigators of the allergic response. Mast cells contain histamine, which is responsible for the red, swollen and itchy sensations associated with allergic reactions.
There are many approaches to the treatment of allergies. If your allergies are relatively new, you may want to start with your immune system. Eighty percent of your immune system is located in your gut; so it makes sense to start with the health of your gut. Other factors to consider when working with allergies are the management of environmental triggers, correction of nutritional deficiencies as well as the function of your adrenal glands.
A holistic approach with the help of an integrative healthcare practitioner, one that incorporates the previously mentioned factors, should be initially considered for your treatment plan regarding your allergies.
In the meantime, for a temporary quick-fix, consider an over-the-counter antihistamine to alleviate your symptoms.
Best of health to you!
“How do you know the difference between sneezing and coughing due to allergies and what might be signs of COVID-19?” ~ Sanctuary Team
Coincidentally, the COVID-19 virus showed up right around the start of our Eastern Hemisphere spring season, confusing many of us with similar symptoms.
The common symptoms of spring allergies and COVID-19 can be coughing, headaches, fatigue, rashes, shortness of breath and wheezing.
There is a distinct difference though. With COVID-19, you usually have a fever along with shortness of breath. If the fever and shortness of breath get worse, contact your healthcare provider for further management of the symptoms.
“Is there anything I can do with my home, short of keeping the windows closed up tight?” ~ A.S. (CO)
Hi A.S.,
Yes, of course there are ways that you can decrease the triggers that cause allergies for you in your home.
I would recommend starting with a good deep cleaning of your home. If you have central air conditioning, make sure that the filters are changed frequently during the time that it is being used. On high pollen days, keep your windows shut and the air conditioning on. It's also beneficial to have a home air purifier that will reduce the amount of pollen in your home.
Another good idea: When you come back into your house from being outside, take a shower and wash your hair to remove any pollen that may have settled on your skin and hair.
Hopefully these suggested practices will be of some benefit to you. Best of health to you!
