What is a sinus allergy?

A sinus allergy is an immune system disorder where the body over reacts to harmless substances in the environment such as pollen, dust, mold, danders and food. Allergy producing substances are called allergens.

What causes a sinus allergy?

Allergens cause the activation of a certain type of antibody known as IgE. This antibody triggers the release of certain chemicals from cells in your nose such as histamine, resulting in an extreme inflammatory response and the associated allergy symptoms. The main causes of allergies are as follows;





Hereditary (runs in the family)

Race

Sex (boys have a higher risk of developing an allergy than girls)

Age

Alteration in exposure to infectious diseases during early childhood

Environmental pollutants

Allergen levels

Dietary changes

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms result from the inflammation of the nasal passages after inhaling allergens such as pollen, mold, dust etc. The symptoms include;

Runny nose

Nasal congestion

Sneezing

Nasal itching

Itchy ears and throat

Post nasal drip (mucous runs down the back of the throat)

Earache

Sore throat

Sleep disturbances and snoring

Loss of taste and smell

Poor concentration

Headaches

Itchy, sore and puffy eyes

How should you treat sinus allergies?

SinuSoothe 100{8d179fc38bc1c533e06a09516fb12854306b9dd5cdb555aa022f622e551ae2db} Natural Nasal Spray – SinuSoothe reduces histamine therefore it relieves the symptoms of sinus allergies such as nasal congestion, runny nose etc. It also desensitizes the nasal passages to allergens therefore it provides a long term solution.

– SinuSoothe reduces histamine therefore it relieves the symptoms of sinus allergies such as nasal congestion, runny nose etc. It also desensitizes the nasal passages to allergens therefore it provides a long term solution. Natural anti-histamines – Quercetin and butterbur can be just as effective as OTC anti-histamines but without their side effects. Stinging nettle can also reduce allergic reactions. Your local health food store should be able to advise you on these and others. It usually takes about 4 weeks for these to start taking effect.

– Quercetin and butterbur can be just as effective as OTC anti-histamines but without their side effects. Stinging nettle can also reduce allergic reactions. Your local health food store should be able to advise you on these and others. It usually takes about 4 weeks for these to start taking effect. Reducing stress levels – Stress contributes to ill health and should be minimised whenever possible. It reduces immune function and causes ‘flare ups’. Vitamin B complex assists the body during stressful times and magnesium, 5htp etc. can help to relax you. There are also plenty of other supplements that can relieve stress and help you to cope with it better. Pressure is healthy, stress is not.

– Stress contributes to ill health and should be minimised whenever possible. It reduces immune function and causes ‘flare ups’. Vitamin B complex assists the body during stressful times and magnesium, 5htp etc. can help to relax you. There are also plenty of other supplements that can relieve stress and help you to cope with it better. Pressure is healthy, stress is not. Exercise – Exercise has been known to reduce allergy symptoms since the endorphins released during exercise act as natural painkillers. It can also improve immune function provided it is not over strenuous.

– Exercise has been known to reduce allergy symptoms since the endorphins released during exercise act as natural painkillers. It can also improve immune function provided it is not over strenuous. Natural anti-inflammatories – Since the symptoms of allergies are caused by inflammation it follows that by reducing inflammation you will reduce the severity of the symptoms. Omega 3,6 &9 oils, vitamin C, turmeric and ginger are all excellent natural anti-inflammatories. There are plenty of others and your local health food store should be able to advise you on these. It usually takes about 4 weeks for these to start taking effect.

– Since the symptoms of allergies are caused by inflammation it follows that by reducing inflammation you will reduce the severity of the symptoms. Omega 3,6 &9 oils, vitamin C, turmeric and ginger are all excellent natural anti-inflammatories. There are plenty of others and your local health food store should be able to advise you on these. It usually takes about 4 weeks for these to start taking effect. Boosting immune system – Eating a balanced diet and supplementing with good quality vitamins etc. will improve immune system function and your body’s ability to control histamine levels and inflammation. Vitamin C, vitamin B complex, zinc, garlic and a multi-vitamin & mineral would help boost your immune system. Your local health food store should be able to advise you.

– Eating a balanced diet and supplementing with good quality vitamins etc. will improve immune system function and your body’s ability to control histamine levels and inflammation. Vitamin C, vitamin B complex, zinc, garlic and a multi-vitamin & mineral would help boost your immune system. Your local health food store should be able to advise you. Allergen barriers – Sinubalm applied inside the nostrils can catch pollen, dust, mold, dander etc. before it enters the nasal passages thus relieving and even eliminating hay fever and other sinus allergy symptoms.

How do you mimimise hayfever reactions?

Keeping doors and windows closed when the pollen count is high.

Staying away from areas where there is more pollen such as grass parks, especially in the early morning, late afternoon and evening when the pollen count is highest.

Wearing wrap around sunglasses to keep pollen out of your eyes.

Taking a shower and washing your hair after going outside when the pollen count is high.

Not drying washing outside if pollen counts are high – pollen may get trapped in the fibres of clothes and bed linen.

How do you mimimise other allergic reactions?

The only way to prevent allergic rhinitis is to avoid the allergen that causes it, so allergy testing is important to identify the exact indoor allergen that provokes the allergy.

House dust mite eradication can help if special attention is paid to the bedroom.

Synthetic duvets and pillows are better than feather fills.

Old mattresses harbour up to 10,000 dust mites, so use mite impermeable barrier mattress covers.

Wash pillow cases and covers at 60 degrees centigrade

Use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter.

Choose hardwood and laminate flooring, not heavy pile carpets.

Discourage soft toys and clutter.

Regularly air the bedroom to reduce humidity.

For severe pet allergies, unfortunately it’s best to remove the pet from the home permanently. Cat allergen spreads in the air throughout the home, even if the cat is restricted to specific areas. Although short haired and female pets carry less dander on their fur, any furry pets can trigger allergies including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and mice.

For food allergies it is quite simply a case of eliminating the particular food causing the allergy from your diet.

For allergies caused by mold and/or fungus, any signs of these in your home environment should be completely removed.

Please consult your doctor before undertaking new treatments.