Naturopathic Treatment for Seasonal Allergies
Ahhhhh spring! The days are getting longer, the weather is getting milder and our surroundings are getting greener. While most of us look forward to sunny afternoons and warm evening spent outside, many are dreading the onset of annoying seasonal allergy symptoms.
What are allergies?
Allergies are an exaggerated immune response or reaction to substances that are not generally harmful. In attempt to protect us from harm, our immune system produces antibodies against foreign substances or allergens. When these antibodies come into contact with the allergen(s) certain chemical mediators are released- one of which is called histamine. When histamine is released into our blood stream, it acts on the eyes, nose, throat, skin and gastrointestinal tract causing the itching, sneezing, wheezing, rashes, and other symptoms of allergies.
How can a naturopath help me with allergies?
Allergy symptoms can be eliminated by blocking the release of histamine from mast cells and reducing the inflammatory response. Conventional antihistamine medications, (Allegra, Claritin etc.) work by preventing the released histamine from interacting with the histamine receptors. However, use of these medications can be accompanied with undesirable side effects such as drowsiness, impaired coordination and clumsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Use of antihistamine medications in children can often result in overstimulation/hyperactivity and agitation.
Luckily there are many ways by which Naturopathic Doctors can address the underlying cause and symptoms of seasonal allergies. A number of natural compounds (bioflavonoids, herbs, essential fatty acids etc.) can successfully reduce histamine release and the responses that follow without the side effects of conventional medications. Even better, Naturopaths can appropriately tailor the treatments to be safe and effective for people of all ages (including infants and children) as well as for people with pre-existing medical conditions or who are taking medications that are contraindicated with conventional allergy treatments.
In addition to providing symptomatic relief, Naturopathic doctors strive to achieve more preventative and long-term solutions by addressing dietary and lifestyle factors that may be making your allergy symptoms worse. Did you know that individuals with allergies often have co-existing food allergies or sensitivities? Food allergies and sensitivities can generate many of the same symptoms that people experience with seasonal allergies. Simple blood tests are available to determine which foods are generating unnecessarily high levels of antibodies in your system and increasing your overall ‘allergenic load’. By removing these foods from the diet or employing a rotational diet, antibody levels decrease, which reduces the number of chemical mediators (including histamine) being released and results in a reduction in allergy symptoms including asthma and skin irritations.
Other recommendations may include detoxification support, improving digestive health (did you know that a significant percentage of our immune defences lie in and around our gut?) and watching food and personal product labels for common allergenic additives such as colours, dyes, preservatives and artificial flavourings.
Naturopathic Doctors are extensively trained in clinical nutrition, herbal and homeopathic medicine, nutraceuticals (dietary supplements), and acupuncture/Traditional Chinese Medicine. With such a vast ‘tool box’ to draw from, Dr. Tara Sloan, ND can work with you to develop a personalized Allergy Action Plan to suit your needs!
Dr. Tara Sloan, ND is your Neighbourhood Naturopath!
301-3402 Yonge St.(at
For more information about how Naturopathic Medicine can help you and your family call us at 416-913-3080 or email: naturopath@continuumwellness.ca
