It is that time of the year - flowers are blooming, trees are pollinating, and folks with seasonal allergies are starting to feel the effects. 

As of 2017, just less than a third of all Canadians have an allergy of some kind (pollen, food, medicines), with 20 to 25 per cent of Canadians having seasonal allergies.  Most commonly, seasonal allergies will start when we are younger but they can affect folks of all ages.  Other people can develop them or see their allergies change in adulthood.

Seasonal allergies can be serious but are mostly a nuisance, leading to disrupted sleep, worsened productivity, and general fatigue.  Reactions to inhaled substances are some of the most common concerns Canadians have, whether seasonally or all year.  That鈥檚 right - allergies can occur all year round, not just seasonally. Pollinating trees and flowers are predictable seasonal causes but so are fungal spores, seen more frequently here in our moist west coast climate.

Various aspects can make us more susceptible to seasonal allergies.  Addressing these factors and providing symptom relief is what I consider, as a naturopathic doctor, when creating an individualized plan for someone. 

One factor is the foods we eat, which can make us more susceptible or even trigger a reaction.  Foods like milk and egg, wheat, and even citrus and pork can be culprits.  Determining which foods are a trigger for you is key to providing relief for your seasonal allergies.

On top of that, eating more fruits and vegetables generally can lower the risk of seasonal allergies.  This is because they contain various compounds, such as flavonoids and antioxidants, that can help modulate inflammation.  Various green leafy vegetables are best with bitter greens being the best.  Healthy omega-3 fats, found in fish, algae, and walnuts, also are anti-inflammatory.

A healthy gut microbiome and the use of probiotics are other factors that can reduce susceptibility to seasonal allergies.  This is because various strains of probiotics (good gut bacteria) can help balance immune cells that are involved in allergic reactions.

Providing relief in the moment is key too, of course. Vitamin C and Quercetin can both help as they are used to stabilize the impacts of histamine, which triggers the allergic response.

If you are looking for other options or a comprehensive plan to tackle your seasonal allergies, we can help.  Working together with you, there are multiple tools to help you manage seasonal allergies effectively.

If you feel like naturopathic medicine can help you, contact Dr. Shawn for a complimentary 鈥渕eet and greet鈥� visit. Dr. Shawn Peters, ND is a naturopathic doctor practicing in Courtenay and Powell River. Contact via 250-897-0235 ; getwellhere.com ; drshawnpeters.com