The United States is known for being one of the most “allergic” nations—and it’s nothing to sneeze about! In fact, one of the common reasons why I see patients is for allergy treatment, specifically addressing the atopic triad:
Generally speaking, eczema, hay fever, and asthma are all allergic responses to external stimuli. People commonly experience each response at different periods of their lives, but the triad of conditions tends to begin in childhood, as eczema and hay fever from the usual suspects: pollen, animal dander, mold, etc. Symptoms traditionally get treated with decongestants, antihistamines, and hydrocortisone. However, these suppressing medications later drive the condition to resurface differently as asthma. It is common for a person to experience all three atopic conditions simultaneously.
Whether it’s watering eyes, itchy, blistering skin, or wheezing lungs, these and other red flags signal the immune system is fighting an external allergen. And the body will always try to fight, whether with increased mucous secretion, the release of histamine (causing that itchy, anxious, loopy feeling), or airway constriction. If detecting a great threat, the body can get super aggressive, creating chain reactions within the immune system, in the attempt to prohibit the “invading” allergen from taking control. Unfortunately, the do-good efforts can sometimes go haywire and become incapacitating.
To effectively treat allergies, I sort through the symptoms and find out what’s really at issue. That’s because the immune system is complex, and different immune and allergic responses provide clues about what’s really going on, on a much deeper, chemical level. Also, those clues often point toward a personalized course of treatment.
Simply put, the immune system protects the body from pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause disease. But it does much more—it can help repair injured tissue and prevent tumor formation. Operating in check, the immune system is the body’s friend. Yet when running in overdrive or not responding enough, the immune system can become a foe, contributing to autoimmune diseases or cancer.
What’s the relationship between the immune system and allergies? An “allergy” is also known as Type I Hypersensitivity. It elicits an IgE antibody response from the immune system that usually ignites an immediate reaction, such as in common reactions people have to pollen, bee venom, peanuts, shellfish, etc. The resulting symptoms itchy skin, hives, watery eyes, sinus congestion or constriction of airways are essentially mechanisms to keep ridding the body of the allergen. Repeated exposure to something that continuously triggers the production of IgE antibodies to fight it can sometimes be very dangerous. Our body remembers it doesn’t like it and builds bigger, quicker responses, or “anaphylaxis.”
Fortunately, allergy symptoms can often improve, thanks to various natural therapies. For example, Vitamin C thins mucus, Quercitin prevents cells from releasing histamine, and Marshmallow herb soothes irritated membranes. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a desensitization technique, which can painlessly shift the immune system, such that an allergic response to the allergen is minimized or completely eliminated.
Specifically tailored to your allergens, SLIT is delivered through micro doses that you give yourself daily under the tongue. Over time, this can shift your immune response to the allergens so you are increasingly less sensitive. While SLIT works a lot like allergy shots, it doesn’t require needles, injections, or weekly office visits to your doctor. It is convenient and easy to do.
If you’re interested in SLIT, start the treatment well in advance of your problem season to reduce allergies the following year. For example, if you have horrendous springtime allergies try starting SLIT in the late summer of fall. Why? Because SLIT is a process that must be administered over time to be effective. With your customized SLIT solution, you’ll start administering drops daily, about six to nine months before springtime allergies start kicking into gear in the Columbia Gorge. Adjusting the immune system takes time.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to endlessly suffer from your allergies, eczema, or asthma. Nor do you have to depend on over-the-counter medications like Claritin or antihistamines that simply suppress symptoms and can trigger a whole host of side effects over time. With SLIT and other natural therapies, real relief through an authentic allergy treatment program is totally possible—not to mention super safe and convenient to do. Treating the source and symptoms of allergies with natural, integrated healing may not always deliver a quick fix, but it’s more likely to provide the right fix.