You are on page 1of 5

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Report Information from ProQuest


19 January 2016 11:22
_______________________________________________________________

19 January 2016

ProQuest

Table of contents
1. Season of the Itch......................................................................................................................................... 1

19 January 2016

ii

ProQuest

Document 1 of 1

Season of the Itch


Author: Weinstein, Harriet
ProQuest document link
Abstract: Some 30 to 60 million people in the U.S. are affected annually by allergic rhinitis (hay fever) according
to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Clifford Sasseti, Medical Director of
Allergy and Asthma Care at New York University School of Medicine, advocates "washing wisely"; that is,
washing your eyelids and nose and getting rid of pollen and mold spores , . ^ by shampooing at night. Dr. Lily
Au1 a naturopathic doctor in Pasadena, California, uses a combination of eucalyptus, pine, lavender and
peppermint oils, She recommends swabbing the nasal passages with a cotton swab dipped in the oil blend.
Full text: Headnote
YOUR HEALTH
Easing Allergy Symptoms without the Shots or Pills
You don't need a calendar to know that it's allergy season. "Patients feel fatigued, they don't have the energy
they normally have, they are less productive at work and have difficulty concentrating at school," says Dr. David
Resnick, director of Pediatrie Allergy at New York Presbyterian Hospital.
Some 30 to 60 million people in the U.S. are affected annually by allergic rhinitis (hay fever) according to the
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). While allergy shots and over-the-counter or
prescription medications offer relief to some, these traditional approaches don't always work, aren't always
medically advisable or may cause side effects as bothersome as the original symptoms. Here's a three-prong
approach to help you breathe more easily - naturally.
1) Get tested. If you suspect you have allergies, have tests performed at your physician's office in order to rule
out other respiratory conditions. Gather knowledge from credible websites, suggests Dr. Roberta Lee, an
integrative physician and vice chair of Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Dr.
Lee recommends the Mayo Clinic website for starters.
2) Reduce exposure. Keep airborne allergens outside the house by dosing doors and windows. Remove shoes
before entering your main living space and leave them at the door. Use central air conditioning with allergen
filters and keep humidity lower than 40%. Using a freestanding air purifier with a HEPA filter can help, too.
"During spring and summer people open the windows. They love fresh air, but it produces clouds of pollen,"
says Dr. James Li, chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, at the Mayo
Clinic.
Buy special window screens designed to block pine and flower pollens, recommends Dr. Susan Coclee, an
integrative physician certified as an allergist and immunologist in Fullerton, California.
Dr. Clifford Sasseti, Medical Director of Allergy and Asthma Care at New York University School of Medicine,
advocates "washing wisely"; that is, washing your eyelids and nose and getting rid of pollen and mold spores , .
^ by shampooing at night. "If you cHMf^r use mousse or gel U1 your najr) it's like a pollen magnet," he says.
3) Use natural remedies. Many physicians recommend a saline nasal rinse using a Neti pot. Dr. Lee suggests
irrigating the nasal passages with a salt solution twice a day. "Purchasing a solution is good because it ensures
you will have enough salt in the mixture," she says. "If you make your own and you do not put enough salt in the
water, your nose will be even more stuffy."
Stinging nettle. This anti-inflammatory is available in freeze-dried capsule form and may be taken two to -three
times daily. Dr. Lee advises patients to use it when they complain that conventional allergy medicine makes
them sleepy.
Quercetin. This flavonoid is a powerful anti-inflammatory found in apples, onions and garlic. Ur. Marianne Frieri,
19 January 2016

Page 1 of 3

ProQuest

Chief of Allergy Immunology at Nassau University Medical Center in New York says she personally eats onions
and garlic every day. Quercetin is also available in capsule form. The typical dose is 250-500 rniJigrams taken
twice a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar. 1It helps people with allergies," says Dr. Cocke, who recommends talcing one to two
teaspoonfuls with five or six ounces of water 30 minutes before eating.
Eucalyptus and peppermint oils. Dr. Lily Au1 a naturopathic doctor in Pasadena, California, uses a combination
of eucalyptus, pine, lavender and peppermint oils, She recommends swabbing the nasal passages with a cotton
swab dipped in the oil blend.
Butterbur. Usually available in capsules, this herb may be taken as a daily supplement. Dr. Au says it decreases
the inflammation of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. "The extracts that are commercially
available have removed the toxic constituents that may cause liver damage," assures Au.
Local honey. Both Dr. Cocke and Dr. Au suggest that eating local honey is beneficial. It works (unless patients
are allergic to bees) because the honey contains tiny amounts of pollen.
Acupuncture. "Some patients come to the office and they are in unbelievable pain, absolutely miserable," says
Dr. Cocke, Acupuncture treatments produce immediate, short-term results, but it's an ongoing therapy, the
physician adds.
One final word of advice from Dr. Au: Children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult with
their doctors before taking any herbal supplements.
Sidebar
Pollens and Fresh Food
Highly allergic seasonal allergy sufferers may encounter Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) when eating certain
uncooked foods during heavy pollen months. OAS is due to cross reactivity between plant proteins, pollens and
fruits and vegetables, according to Dr. Frieri. Symptoms include itching of the lips and mouth and swelling of the
lips, tongue and uvula. Most primary care doctors do not know about OAS, says Frieri.
When patients are very reactive to birch trees in skin tests, they may. develop symptoms when they eat apples,
carrots, celery, hazelnuts and cherries during pollen season. Highly allergic ragweed patients may react to
bananas, chamomile, melons and Echinacea. - H.W.
AuthorAffiliation
HARRIET WEINSTEIN is a Connecticutbased journalist who writes about business, health and the environment

Subject: Allergies; Medical treatment; Medicine; Asthma; Pollen;


Publication title: E : the Environmental Magazine
Volume: 22
Issue: 3
Pages: 34-35
Number of pages: 2
Publication year: 2011
Publication date: May/Jun 2011
Year: 2011
Section: GREEN LIVING
Publisher: Earth Action Network, Inc.

19 January 2016

Page 2 of 3

ProQuest

Place of publication: Norwalk


Country of publication: United States
Publication subject: Environmental Studies
ISSN: 10468021
Source type: Magazines
Language of publication: English
Document type: Feature
Document feature: Illustrations
ProQuest document ID: 867026220
Document URL: http://search.proquest.com/docview/867026220?accountid=50673
Copyright: Copyright Earth Action Network, Inc. May/Jun 2011
Last updated: 2012-09-13
Database: ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source

_______________________________________________________________
Contact ProQuest

Copyright 2016 ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. - Terms and Conditions

19 January 2016

Page 3 of 3

ProQuest

You might also like