Hayfever: dealing with allergies for the first time later in life
It's that time of the year that rolls around, where we all flare up with hayfever or other seasonal allergies.
Have you ever wondered why we suffer from allergies? It may have come out of nowhere one year when you never used to suffer from it.
First, let’s discuss what an allergy is
Allergies occur as a response from your Immune System producing too many antigens against substances. Each time exposure to the allergen occurs, the severity of the reaction can increase. Seasonal allergies are one of the most common allergies, among other allergies like food allergies, allergies to metals, substances and medications.
The development of allergies is caused by genetic, internal and external factors. The mechanism involves immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE), the allergen binds to a receptor on a mast cell or basophils, triggering the release of histamine, an inflammatory response.
Symptoms of seasonal allergies may present as red eyes, an itchy rash, sneezing, a runny nose, asthma-like symptoms like shortness of breath, or swelling.
Seasonal allergy and gut
There is a big link between allergies and our gut. You may have seen us talk about the gut being your 2nd brain and home to your microbiome along with your immune system, it is home to many organisms and bacterias that perform a beneficial symbiotic relationship with our body as a whole. They are designed to protect our intestinal lining, providing a barrier from entry to the bloodstream in the body and keeping foreign invaders out.
If you are experiencing digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea or heartburn, this is a sign that there is a dysfunction with your digestive system and that this will be contributing to your allergy flare-ups. If our microbiome is not doing its job, your immune system is triggered to react with inflammation.
Our day to day life has changed a lot over the years and most of us follow a western-style diet, with less organically grown and sourced foods and a lot more preservatives and GMOs. We also have a habit of spending less time outdoors or exercising, and our antibiotic use has increased. Antibiotics are a potent disruptor to the microbiome of our gut, and also other organs like our liver, pancreas and kidneys.
Think of your microbiome as your computer database for your body and immune system, with all the above factors our immune system is losing its wide range of diversity in species we would normally be accustomed to, this means we are losing the ability for our microbiome to recognise species which alerts our immune system that a foreign invader has entered our body and signals it to overreact and defend, sending out a histamine allergic response.
Over time all of this will increase our internal mucus, with this increase of mucus, we have a larger population of viruses, pathogens and foreign body invaders trapped within the mucus that will continually affect you throughout the years to come.
Seasonal allergy and stress
When you are stressed, your fight or flight mode is activated and your body releases hormones and chemicals, known as cortisol and histamine. Certain bacteria respond to this increase in cortisol and multiply, increasing body inflammation and weakening your digestive and immune systems.
Stress is not the cause of your allergies, however, it will increase the severity of your allergic reaction through the increase of histamine within your bloodstream.
Seasonal allergy and skin
Your skin is a big communicator that alerts you when there is an internal dysfunction. Similar to suffering from acne, rosacea, eczema, dermatitis and even premature ageing.
When your histamine and stress levels increase from the foreign invaders that are your seasonal allergies, you may notice your skin become more inflamed, puffy and itchy and respond with lump and bumps more known as hives.
Our goal is to help you with all 3 of these links, to reduce your overall severity of your seasonal or even ongoing allergies. Below are our product recommendations, for your internals and also your skin.
Internal
There is a specific structure required with internals and sometimes more than 1 course is required and your therapist will guide you on this.
Osmosis Immune Defense $60.00 - actively harmonizes viruses, bacteria, pathogens, and potential sources of autoimmune diseases.
Osmosis Skin Clarifier $118.00 - cleanses the digestive tract of unwanted toxins and mucus.
Osmosis Skin Defense $92.00 - binds and removes heavy metals, estrogen toxins, pesticides, plastics, and food preservatives, restores hormone health and strengthens the immune system.
Osmosis Ageless vitality $95.00 - neutralizes allergens, promotes digestive balance and systemic rejuvenation and neutralizes environmental toxins.
Topical
DMK Beta gel $145.00 - designed to address reactive, irritated, or traumatised skin. The formulation contains Beta-Glucan, a stimulator of the Langerhans cells which initiate the immune and reparative functions of the skin both locally and systemically.
DMK Maximum moisture $75.00 - for skins suffering from dryness and can help calm any red, itchy reactive areas anywhere on the body.
Osmosis Rescue $224.00 - Trioxolane, a specialised extract of sweetworm wood, has a remarkable ability to neutralise toxins, calms inflammation, activate epidermal wound repair.
Ready to get your allergies under control?
Speak to our team about the perfect prescription of internal and topical care! Email us at hello@stskin.com.au or book an online consultation.