One morning when I was a young boy, I was woken by the sound of my father’s voice cursing over the sound of his lawn mower.
I jumped out of bed to see what all the commotion was about and as I looked through my bedroom window, his eyes were half closed and he was agitated!
My father is a hay fever sufferer along with over 4 million Australian’s and perhaps you are too!
What is Hay Fever?
Most people describe the irritating itchiness and sneezing as hay fever, however doctors call it allergic rhinitis.
Hay-fever symptoms are caused from a reaction to pollen (an allergen).
If dust, house mites, faecal matter, fungal spores or animal dander are responsible, this is called perennial allergic rhinitis.
Hay Fever Symptoms include:
- Itchy eyes & nose
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Nasal blockage
- Reduced quality of life
How does Hay Fever Develop?
The first time we come in contact with pollen (breathing/touching), our immune system decides whether it poses a threat to our body or not.
In the case for hay fever sufferers, the body see’s pollen as a threat and responds by producing anti-bodies that attach to the surface of mast cells inside of the nose.
This is like having our own security system that’s job is to protect us from intruders.
The next time these anti-bodies (our security system) detect pollen, there’s a fast response followed by an “explosion” of chemicals such as histamine into the blood stream. Along with histamine release, symptoms of hay fever develop.
Western Medical View
Firstly, history and skin testing is used to differentiate hay fever from a common cold.
Treatment may include anti-histamines, decongestants, nasal corticosteroids and surgery in severe cases.
If substances other than histamine are released in response to pollen, anti-histamines usually are not effective.
Common side effects of anti-histamines include:
- Weight gain
- Dizziness & fatigue
- Insomnia & nervousness
- Irritation of the digestive tract
Chinese Medical View
There are two major causes of hay fever in Chinese medicine. They include ‘External Pathogenic Factors’ (EPF’s) and ‘Constitutional deficiencies”.
During an acute episode, EPF’s are the cause and symptoms may include:
- Sneezing
- Watery or white nasal discharge
- Itchy nose, mouth and eyes
- A white tongue coating
Secondly, deficiencies may predispose a person to hay fever. One common deficiency is a ‘deficiency of the Lung and Kidney‘
This can be passed down from parents or due to poor diet and lifestyle habits.
In this case, hay fever symptoms are often accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- History of Asthma
- Low back pain
- Difficulty breathing deeply
- Ringing in the ears
- A weak immune system
Another common deficiency is that of the spleen and stomach. This can be associated with increased mucous, congestion and poor drainage from the sinuses. Making secondary sinus infections more common.
How Chinese Medicine Can Help
During an acute attack, acupuncture and Chinese medicine focuses on clearing “EPF’s” from the nose and lung.
However, during a stage of no symptoms, the focus is on strengthening deficiencies that predispose a person to hay fever.
The use of acupuncture for patients seeking a non-drug therapy was recommended in the physicians’ clinical practice guidelines of the American academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, 2014.
Scientific Research
Firstly, researchers from RMIT and Monash university in Melbourne set up a trial to test the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture.
Patients had 12 sessions of sham acupuncture or real acupuncture during hay fever season for three consecutive years.
At the end of each four week treatment patient’s sneezing and itchiness of the ears were “significantly less severe” in those who had treatment with real acupuncture.
It was also effective in treating runny and itchy noses. Patients also noted an increase in quality of life.
The effects appeared to last four weeks after the acupuncture treatment stopped.
The study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology suggested long-lasting effects could prove useful if acupuncture is used three weeks before the hay fever season starts.
Finally, one theory for acupuncture’s effect is it down-regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophins. Modulating a receptor that pays a central role in hay fever (TRPV1).
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David L. Edwards is an author, herbalist and licensed acupuncturist. He is the author of The Body Fat Formula and The Pocketbook guide to Chinese medicine and painless cures (available on amazon). David is the creator of Barefoot Health and Wellness health programs.
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References:
- Porter, Kaplan (editors). The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 19th ed. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Whitehouse Station, N.J. 2011. pg. 1117
- Maciocia, Giovanni. The Practice of Chinese Medicine, Churchill Livingstone, New York 2008, pg. 177-197
- McDonald JL, Smith PK, Smith CA, Changli Xue C, Golianu B, Cripps AW; Effect of acupuncture on house dust mite specific IgE, substance P, and symptoms in persistent allergic rhinitis. Mucosal Immunology Research Group.
- Taw, Malcolm B.a; Reddy, William D.b; Omole, Folashade S.c; Seidman, Michael DAcupuncture and allergic rhinitis Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015
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